Sarah Hanna Kennedy wife of George Boyle Hanna

[Gortraney]

Since these boards have proven a mine of information in the past, I'm going to try again with another brick wall...

My great-great grandmother was Sarah Hanna Kennedy born abt. 1854 in Co. Antrim, Ireland, died 1 Sept. 1927 in Kildrum, Kells near Ballymena, Co. Antrim. She married George Boyle Hanna (1840-1912) on 28th April 1870 in Randalstown Old Presbyterian Church and was buried in the Hanna family plot in Connor New Cemetery.

George and Sarah had 11 children and were a prominent family in the Kildrum area as George Boyle Hanna ran the family dyeing and finishing works established in the late 1700's and known as John Hanna & Sons, which, though still in business, has been under new management since 1960.

I've been doing a lot of research into this family but Sarah remains one of the handful I can't quite get to grips with. I know her father was Robert Kennedy, listed as a merchant when she married George, but beyond that I know nothing about her family. When George Boyle Hanna died in 1912, his obituary in the Ballymena Observer mentioned nephews I have been unable to pin down either; Rev. Kenneth Currie and Samuel Currie of Belfast, who may be connected to the Kennedy side of the family...

Any help with Sarah would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Trish

[GreenEyes4u]

Hello! I am new. You mentioned Hannas and my gg-gm, Margaret was a Hanna. She was the daughter of John and margaret (nee Houston) Hanna She came to the States from County Antrim. I have a lot of Hanna history that supposedly goes pretty far back. She was Presbyterian as all were that I knew of. I am meeting with an older relative next month and am happy to share what I find.

[Elwyn Soutter]

In case you don’t have it, here’s the abstract of Robert Kennedy’s will:

The Will of Robert Kennedy late of Kildrum County Antrim Gentleman who died 16 January 1888 at same place was proved at Belfast by Sarah Kennedy of Kildrum the Reverend Thomas Eaton of New Lodge Carnaughts in said County Presbyterian Clergyman and John Ross Senior of Kildrum Merchant the Executors. Effects £884.

The will itself mentions 2 daughters Sarah Hanna & Ellen Curry, a grandson Robert Kennedy Hanna and Robert Kennedy’s wife (looks like Hannah or Sarah). You can see the will on the PRONI site.

[Gortraney]

Hello! I am new. You mentioned Hannas and my gg-gm, Margaret was a Hanna. She was the daughter of John and margaret (nee Houston) Hanna She came to the States from County Antrim. I have a lot of Hanna history that supposedly goes pretty far back. She was Presbyterian as all were that I knew of. I am meeting with an older relative next month and am happy to share what I find.

Do you have dates for John Hanna and Margaret Houston by any chance? I'm hoping there is a link there as the Houston name appears as a middle name further down the family line with a Robert Houston Hanna who was born in 1928. Currently I don't have a name for my gggg-gm, whose husband was John Hanna (abt. 1772-1810). This might be a little too early, but considering the number of John Hanna's there were in the family, I'm hoping there IS a link. Would most DEFINITELY be interested in anything you can find!

ETA: I should also mention they were all most definitely Presbyterians as a great many of them were ministers and several of them were Moderators of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland - starting with my gggg-gf's brother the Rev. Samuel Hanna, who was the first Moderator of the reformed church.

Looking forward to hearing from you

[Gortraney]

In case you don’t have it, here’s the abstract of Robert Kennedy’s will:

The Will of Robert Kennedy late of Kildrum County Antrim Gentleman who died 16 January 1888 at same place was proved at Belfast by Sarah Kennedy of Kildrum the Reverend Thomas Eaton of New Lodge Carnaughts in said County Presbyterian Clergyman and John Ross Senior of Kildrum Merchant the Executors. Effects £884.

The will itself mentions 2 daughters Sarah Hanna & Ellen Curry, a grandson Robert Kennedy Hanna and Robert Kennedy’s wife (looks like Hannah or Sarah). You can see the will on the PRONI site.

Thank you Elwyn!

I didn't have this and it's definitely the right Robert as not only is the Rev. Robert Kennedy Hanna my great-grandmother's brother but the Ross name appears in some of the other wills in the family and I've been tearing my hair out trying to find the link! I shall head off to the PRONI site and read the will forthwith

Trish

[GreenEyes4u]

Here are the very basics of what I have. Happy to send you a tree when I meet with the older relative bc apparently she has a lot of memories that should bring all of us related together.

Margaret J Hanna was born in September 1867 (d. 1923) in Glarryford, County Antrim to John Hanna (1811-1899) and Margaret (nee Houston (1842-1923). I am not sure who her parents were... still working there. John's parents were Robert and Catherine (nee Peters) Hanna.

Siblings of Margaret's that I know of were: Samuel, Robert, Elizabeth, Katherine, Agnes and Sara.

Her father John's siblings were: David, Katherine, William and Robert.

John's father, Robert Hanna was born after 1750 in Ireland and died in Ballymena, County Antrim.

Yes I am sure the family was somehow related. Even when they came to the States, they didn't lose their faith. Btw, I have found a few Reverend Hanna's in Ireland. Have you ever tried contacting them?

 

[Gortraney]

Here are the very basics of what I have. Happy to send you a tree when I meet with the older relative bc apparently she has a lot of memories that should bring all of us related together.

Margaret J Hanna was born in September 1867 (d. 1923) in Glarryford, County Antrim to John Hanna (1811-1899) and Margaret (nee Houston (1842-1923). I am not sure who her parents were... still working there. John's parents were Robert and Catherine (nee Peters) Hanna.

Siblings of Margaret's that I know of were: Samuel, Robert, Elizabeth, Katherine, Agnes and Sara.

Her father John's siblings were: David, Katherine, William and Robert.

John's father, Robert Hanna was born after 1750 in Ireland and died in Ballymena, County Antrim.

Yes I am sure the family was somehow related. Even when they came to the States, they didn't lose their faith. Btw, I have found a few Reverend Hanna's in Ireland. Have you ever tried contacting them?

 

I think my gggg-gf John was one of five brothers, four of which were my John,  Rev. Samuel Hanna, William Hanna and a Robert Hanna who died young (they were all born around the 1770's). I've found a lot of older children named after ones who passed away before they were born, so that's a possibility. I can also tell you that their parents were a Robert Hanna (abt. 1742 to 1810) and a Jane McCrory (abt. 1751 to abt.1810). Not sure if any of that helps.

Kellswater/Kells/Kildrum is close to Ballymena and much of the family is buried at either St. Saviour's or New Connor cemeteries. My gggg-gf John started what was originally meant as a bleaching green which went on to become John Hanna & Son Dyeing & Finishing works and is still in operation in Kildrum today, though under different management but the majority of the family seem to have all started as farmers at some point...

I hadn't thought about contacting any of the Rev. Hanna's there are today, mostly because most of my research seems to indicate the family ended up spread around the globe, particularly in South Africa, Australia, the USA and 'across the water' in England. There were a lot of connections to the Presbyterian Church, local politics, the Indian Medical Corps and the Dyeing & Finishing trade.

ANYTHING you can discover that proves a link would be greatly appreciated!  

[GreenEyes4u]

I will keep looking. I'll also be in Ireland in October and have plans to stop in Ballymena and check things out. The Presbyterian Church usually keeps great records. I found some locally in upstate NY where some Hanna family had lived. I am certain there is additional information in Ireland. Our Hannah branch came from Scotland originally- that I am certain of.

[Gortraney]

I will keep looking. I'll also be in Ireland in October and have plans to stop in Ballymena and check things out. The Presbyterian Church usually keeps great records. I found some locally in upstate NY where some Hanna family had lived. I am certain there is additional information in Ireland. Our Hannah branch came from Scotland originally- that I am certain of.

Yes, the fact that the vast majority of the family are Presbyterian has been a saving grace for much of my research too Also was starting to believe the family originated in Scotland. Good luck with the research in Ballymena! Let me know how you get on

And Elwyn - just wanted to say thanks again for that will! It led me to a burial record at The Braid where I have found his wife Sarah's maiden name as Dysart and that he was married to an Ellen Ross. Brick wall broken through and it's all thanks to you!

I LOVE this site!