Adam Stirling

[neal b]

Looking for an Adam Stirling, his son also Adam was married at Ballymena Registry office (it was his 2nd marriage) to Rachael McKillen 27/7/1903. Adam snr's occupation is listed as a stonemason. Any info? - Thanks

[scotmum]

From IGI, it would look like the Adam Stirling who married Nancy McAlees/e (?sp) at Racavan on 31st August 1846 could be a strong  possibility to be his parents (two children born to them are also recorded in IGI, Jenny born 1866 and William Graham born 1864, both at Broughshane).  The old Parish of Racavan/Rocavan was adjoining to Ballymena. I see the Adam who married in 1903 also had a son named Adam born about 1908.

[scotmum]

Forgot to ask, did his 1903 marriage certificate give a home address - probably a townland name?  If yes, you can check if this was one of those within the parish of Racavan.

[neal b]

Thanks

That is possibly the same one, I was told his 1st wife was a Jane McClelland, he was certainly a widower when he married Rachael McKillen in 1903. He did have a son Adam who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1935.
Broughshane, Antrim was the name of the village.

[scotmum]

Broughshane would certainly have come under Racavan Parish, so hopefully the Adam who married in 1846 is the father of  your Adam who was born c1858 (or even just a close relative).

Perhaps a fellow rootschater with the BIVRI could look up any Stirling births/marriages in the area ( in the timescale c1830 -1900) for you -  I know that not all areas/years are covered by BIVRI but from my own experience, it can sometimes throw up something that has not shown on IGI and give you more avenues of research.

[neal b]

Thanks very much

[scotmum]

Forgot to say, Ulster Historical Foundation only have four Adam Stirling marriages recorded in county Antrim. The years being 1846, 1889, 1903 and 1918. I suppose the 1889 one may just be your Adam's first marriage (the name Jane McClelland turns up quite often in Antrim/Down in the 1800's, but the UHF do happen to have a Jane McClelland marriage for 1889 which may or may not tie in with Adam Stirling - it is a pay to view site so limited free information)  and you know who the 1846 and 1903 are likely to relate to.

[neal b]

Thanks again, I'll follow the Jane McClalland link up, you never know!!

[SIMW]

Hello,
I think Adam Stirling's first wife was Jane Dale of Craigywarren. She was the daughter of Robert Dale and Elizabeth McClelland. Her mother Elizabeth was a sister of my Great grandmother. I think Adam and Jane had at least three sons  Robert McClelland, James and David.
Adam's second wife Rachel was from Tully,  She might have been a daughter of David and Margaret McKillen, but I'm not sure.