Toomebridge & Randalstown

[debquilter]

Where on a map would this address be located?

[aghadowey]

Taylorstown is the name of the townland (Toomebridge would be the postal town). There are Duffins there in 1911 census.

If you type "taylorstown, toomebridge" into Google Maps you'll see the location of Taylorstown and places in the area.

[Lismurn]

There are still Duffins in this area, if you want to communicate I can contact them. Incidently one group would be from an RC background, the other would be Presbyterian.

[debquilter]

I would really enjoy talking to someone in the Duffin family.  I would try the Presbyterian group first as most of my family are such.  My great grand aunt was Margaret "Maggie" Jane Nesbitt born 1 Jan 1857 died 28 Aug 1932.  I believe that she was married to Thomas Duffin born in 1858.  Their son's name was Hugh Alex "Ralph" Duffin.  He was born in 1901 in Taylorstown.  This son lived with Margaret and her father Hugh Nesbitt in Taylorstown so I'm not sure if she divorced Thomas.  Also, I can't find any record of Hugh Alex "Ralph" Duffin born 1901.   He was in Taylorstown in 1901 and 1911.  I have a letter from him dated October 12, 1942. The address is Toome, Antrim County, Northern Ireland.  I wonder what happened to him and where he is buried?  I wonder if he ever married.

Thank you very much.

[Elwyn Soutter]

Maggie Nesbitt’s marriage to Thomas Duffin was registered in Ballymena July – Sept 1900, Volume 1, page 151. Their son Hugh Alexander Duffin’s birth was registered in Ballymena Oct – Dec 1900, Volume 1, page 93.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   Thomas Duffin married Margaret Nesbitt on 25 Jul 1900 in Ballymena Registrars Office. The fathers names were Pooley Duffin and Hugh Nesbitt. Pooley Duffin married Eliza Taylor in Duneane Church of Ireland, Antrim on 11 Feb 1855. Unfortunately the fathers; names are not listed.

Regards

[debquilter]

I do know that Thomas couldn't read or write.  I know that Hugh Nesbitt became a baptist.  Some religious affiliations do not follow the traditional Presbyterian that most of my family in Ireland follow.  This might explain why I can't link my family to the Nesbitts in Taylorstown except by marriage.  There may have been a falling out.

[debquilter]

Thank you Aghadowey.  I am familiar with Taylorstown and have taken virtual walks through the town. I know where my people lived.  I am familiar with the townlands and their respective parishes etc.  Is there anyway to find out Hugh Ralph Duffin's death date and burial place?  I can find everyone else buried at the Grange or the Craigmore Church.

[Elwyn Soutter]

To find Hugh Ralph Duffin’s date of death you would probably have to search the death indexes at GRONI, 1942 onwards (assuming of course that he died in Northern Ireland). Details on: www.nidirect.gov.uk/gro

Finding the place of burial may be harder as there are no comprehensive records to search to find out. Most Presbyterian churches don't keep burial records.