Exploring Your Roots Booklet

Home , Ahoghill, Ballycraigy, Ballymena, Ballymena (borough), Ballynure, Belfast Lough

Mid-Antrim Museums Service Exploring Your Roots Family History Exhibition Order Of Contents

Exploring Your Roots

Introduction 4 A Sense of Place 6 Emigration 10 Earning a Living 12 Education 16 World Wars 18 Municipal Records 22 Exploring Graveyards 24 Treasures at Home 26 Where to go next? 30 Useful Addresses 34

3 This exploration can take many This exhibition has been forms. Many museums hold designed to offer a flavour 6 records that can be of help to of the diverse collections the researcher such as rate held within the Mid-Antrim Introduction books, and business ledgers. Museums Service. The These records usually relate service contains: Mid-Antrim Exploring to the local area and contain Museum, Ballymena; Larne Your Roots useful information such as the Museum and Arts Centre; names of those who owned Carrickfergus Museum; The land or worked in a particular Museum at The Mill and industry. While it is exciting Sentry Hill House, both in to discover the name of an Newtownabbey Borough 7 Museums can be a treasure ancestor in museum records, Council. The material held trove for people who are it can be equally interesting in these collections can exploring their family history. just to explore the world in offer a rich resource for Tracing ancestors is like which people lived in the past. researchers and much of taking a step back in time. This can be done through the material highlighted here Trying to discover details of photographs, drawings, maps can be consulted by prior lives from the past can often and documents. Artefacts appointment. lead people into new and on display in museums are 8 fascinating worlds. Museums also invaluable in showing us There are a great many are an excellent place to objects that were familiar to other institutions, groups explore these past worlds. people in earlier times. and organisations that have very useful sources, some of which can be explored 4 online. No matter where the researcher chooses to look, there is always more to discover about our ancestors 1-2. The Dunlop family, and the lives that they lived. Ahoghill. 1 3. Victorian photo album from 3 Larne Museum collection. 4. Reconstruction of Mossley Mill c. 1840. 5. Louie Mckinney’s diary, 1910. Sentry Hill Collection 6. Aerial view of Carrickfergus showing St. Nicholas Church. 7. View of Curran spit, Larne 1872. 8. McKinney Family, Sentry Hill 1910. 9. Ballymena town, 1905.

4 5 1 In exploring family history, of change: old buildings are subtle, such as in the names sometimes an interesting replaced by new structures, of streets or other locations. 2 place to start is by looking modern roads snake through For example, Fairhill Shopping at the landscape. While the countryside, towns and Centre in Ballymena stands documents can contain villages expand into former on the site of a once busy fair important details about our fields and new industrial zones or market, while Joymount A Sense of Place ancestors, much are constructed. in Carrickfergus recalls the can be learned fine mansion built by Arthur Exploring Your by examining the Despite all these changes, Chichester who was Lord Roots surroundings in there is much to be seen that Deputy of Ireland from 1605- which they lived. reveals fascinating views into 1615. 3 Landscapes are in a the past. These glimpses constant state help us to understand the Prominent buildings or other world in which our ancestors structures all have stories lived. History is all around us. to tell. The tall chimney Sometimes it is very obvious, at Mossley Mill forms an such as Carrickfergus Castle a important landmark as well fortress dating back over 800 as being a reminder of the years standing on the shores important flax spinning of Belfast Lough, mill that operated until 4 while at other 1995. In Larne the times history harbour was vital in is more the development of the town, something that can be traced through the years using maps and historic photographs. 5

1-2 Mill Street, Ballymena. These photographs show a century of change in town. 3. Aerial view of Carrickfergus, before the construction of the Marine Highway began in the 1970s. 4. Aerial photograph of Mossley Mill site, a flax spinning factory in Newtownabbey, 1934. 5. Larne Harbour, 1970s.

6 7 Elsewhere in Larne the Links between the local and were undertaken. The role of Museum and Arts Centre is wider worlds can also be the hearth, the importance of 7 housed in the attractive red explored in historic visitor the wooden dresser, settle bed, brick building that opened in attractions. The Andrew milk churn and tilley lamp can 1906 as the Carnegie Free Jackson Cottage near all be explored at the cottage. Library. Its name shows its Carrickfergus shows the kind In Newtownabbey, the dwelling links to Scottish-born American of household that would house and farm buildings at millionaire and philanthropist have been familiar to U.S. Sentry Hill, near Carnmoney, Andrew Carnegie who funded President Andrew Jackson’s recall two centuries of farming over 2,500 libraries all over parents when they emigrated life in east Antrim. The property the world. So as well as being to America in 1765. Arthur was associated with the an important resource for the Cottage at Dreen, near McKinney family for generations local community for over a Cullybackey, commemorates and their possessions allow century, the centre is part of a the family of Chester Alan visitors to follow their lives, world-wide network of Carnegie Arthur who was President of interests, joys and sorrows buildings. the United States from 1881 to over the years. These and other 1884. The cottage also allows historic attractions are an ideal 11 12 visitors to experience life in the way to experience and explore 8 9 nineteenth century by learning life, culture and traditions in how day-to-day activities earlier times. Maps, drawings, paintings and photographs are of great help when exploring historic landscapes and capture a scene in a moment in time. Examining them closely can show how today’s landscape has changed 10 over time and often can explain interesting features or buildings.

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6. Fairhill, Ballymena. Once a busy market, now the site of Fairhill Shopping Centre. 7-8. Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus, once the site of Arthur Chichester’s mansion, Joymount Palace. 9-10. Arthur Cottage at Dreen, near Cullybackey, Ballymena, commemorates the family of Chester Alan Arthur who was President of the United States from 1881 to 1884. 11. Larne Museum and Arts Centre, originally named Carnegie Free Library after Scottish-born American millionaire and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who funded over 2,500 libraries all over the world. 12. Sentry Hill, Newtownabbey was home to the McKinney family for over two centuries. 13. Larne Main Street c. 1900.

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Emigration 3 4 Exploring Your Roots

Travel is an integral part of life Emigration had an impact on Emigrant correspondence not 9 today, whether for work, for those who were left behind in only provides enormously leisure or perhaps to emigrate Ireland. Many families kept valuable family information, to another land. Travel was also letters and photographs sent but it also shows how 6 important in the past, although by relatives who had moved emigrants viewed new lands 5 only the wealthy could afford to distant lands. Sometimes and cultures. While some to journey long distances for they received money from letters have been preserved 10 purely pleasure purposes. The abroad, not only to help others in museums and other long voyages made by many to emigrate, but also to fund institutions, many remain people were intended to be one- everyday life in Ireland such in private hands. They are a way, as they emigrated with as rent and education. Such wonderful source for tracing the aim of settling down and was the impact of emigration family emigrant stories and raising their families in distant in Ireland that there were are well worth seeking out countries. The reasons behind few families unaffected by from other family members, 1-2. The Andrew Jackson Cottage near emigration were complex and it. William McKinney (1832- in attics or amongst old Carrickfergus celebrates the life and often were a combination of 1917) of Sentry Hill saw four correspondence. The world career of the seventh President of the poor prospects at home and siblings and four of his own of the emigrant can also be United States from 1829 until 1837. encouraging reports from earlier children emigrate. His brother- explored in other ways such travellers. in-law, Joseph McGaw, had as in visits to museums and 3-4. Jim McKinney and his wife Effie emigrated to Australia in 1890, a successful sheep farming other exhibitions and viewing where they joined Jim’s two brothers Many of those who emigrated business in Australia. Three memorials such as that and uncle in running the family’s settled down well in their of McKinney’s sons went to commemorating the 1717 successful sheep farming business. new country, forming part join him, including Jim who emigrant ship Friends Goodwill Sentry Hill Collection of communities whether in settled with his wife Effie in Curran Park, Larne. 5-8. Hugh McKinney served in the towns or rural areas. Some at a family sheep station Nigerian Medical Service. His wife 11 made important contributions named Nangus. Much of the Louie, did not join him there for to their new land: in 1767, family’s correspondence is still another eight years. Throughout Andrew Jackson was born in preserved at Sentry Hill house, their long separation they regularly South Carolina to Andrew and thanks to William McKinney. exchanged touching letters. Her journal gives a fascinating account of Elizabeth Jackson who had William McKinney’s youngest their lives in Africa. emigrated from Carrickfergus. son also spent most of his life Sentry Hill Collection Andrew Jackson was the out of Ireland: Hugh qualified seventh President of the as a doctor and served in the 9-10. Camerons, a Ballymena travel United States from 1829 Nigerian Medical Service for agent offered ‘assisted passage’ for families wanting to emigrate abroad. until 1837 and his life and many years. Although he The photo, above right, shows a group career is celebrated in the married his English wife Louie of families are getting ready to sail to Andrew Jackson Cottage near in 1907, she did not join him in Canada, 1926. Carrickfergus. Nigeria until 1915. Throughout their long separation, they 11. William Fee McKinney’s brother-in-law, Joseph McGaw, had regularly wrote touching a successful career in Australia letters to each other. When and sent funds to assist with she did finally join him, she the education of the McKinney kept a journal which gives a children. This bank draft for £50 is fascinating insight into their the equivalent of £2400 in today’s money. lives in Africa. Sentry Hill Collection 7 12. The ‘Friend’s Goodwill’ memorial in Curran Park, Larne commemorates the 1717 emigrant ship.

10 11 Finding work was as in a particular locality In museums the display of In County Antrim the textile As well as textiles, there were much a part of the or moved elsewhere. items and images relating to industry was very important many other industries that lives of our ancestors Farmers and agricultural industry and commerce reveal and as production increasingly provided employment for as it is of modern workers obviously stayed objects that were a familiar part moved to large-scale factory workers. For example, Kane’s society. The need on the land, but others of everyday life to those who settings, so workers moved Foundry in Larne was a prominent Earning to earn a living could might move to towns and worked in those places. They to be near their employment. factory in the town. It was a change the course of cities where employment can also show how workers In Ballymena, Braid Water branch of a large Ballymena firm A Living a family’s history by was available in factories interacted with each other Mill was established in 1865 originally established by John Exploring Your Roots influencing whether and shops. and how each played a role in and employed generations Kane. His grandson, William Hugh a family remained producing particular products of workers in yarn spinning. Kane, founded the Larne factory Learning more about or services. The mill survived until 1999 in about 1887. Workers at the these places of work can and influenced the lives of Foundry produced textile, farm help piece together details thousands of workers’ families. and quarry machinery. Kane’s about the life and times Foundry was one of the key of our ancestors. The Carrickfergus area employers in Larne for nearly a 1 also had textile producers. century, before closing in 1986. One of these was Barn Spinning Mills, a flax spinning operation 3 established by James Taylor in 1852 in what had previously been a cotton mill. From 1947 it was operated by Jeremiah Ambler and became a wool and worsted yarn mill. The building now houses residential units. It and 4 other former factory buildings stand as 2 reminders of their central importance in the lives of so many families. Another former textile complex that has now found a new role is Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey 1. Kane’s Foundry workers, Larne which houses a Civic 1920. Centre and Council 2. Staff at Barn Spinning Mills, Offices. The historical Carrickfergus. Established in 1852, exhibition there uses the mill was later owned by John objects large and Weatherup who can be seen in the small, interviews front row (4th from the left). with former 3. Employees of Braidwater employees and Spinning Mill, Ballymena, 1939. photography to Mid-Antrim Museum has a rich tell the story of the collection of images and records relating to the mill, available for flax spinning mill consultation. and its important role in the local 4. Polishing shop at Mossley Mill, community. 1930s. Waxing and polishing smoothed the thread to make sewing easier.

12 13 In Carrickfergus, Rodgers agricultural tools and knowledge of the land, the 6 shipyard provided valuable photographs of rural seasons and the techniques 8 employment for decades. Paul activities all help to show for ensuring good crops and 7 Rodgers took over the shipyard how our ancestors made other agricultural products. in 1870 and employed up to their living from the land. 150 people constructing and Whether large threshing Exploring the world of repairing ships. The skilled machines or simple horse work in the past is a way employees initially made shoes, objects can evoke to discover our ancestors wooden vessels, but later an era of hard work which and their daily lives. adapted to working with iron. provided food and other Museums, through their products necessary for displays and programmes, The industrial world is not survival. Generations of are an excellent way of the only workplace to be men and women worked investigating this aspect of discovered through images on farms, rearing their past times. and objects. Farm machinery, children and passing down

5. Paul Rodgers’ shipyard in Carrickfergus employed about 150 people in its hayday constructing and repairing ships. He is seated 3rd from the right, top row. 6. These children are thought to be employees of Larne Weaving Company, known locally as Brown’s Factory. Even by the early 20thC, children as young as 11 were expected to work shifts in factories while still at school. 7-8. Paul and Martha Esler’s farm 1960s. The Eslers owned a farm at Moorfields, Ballymena, following in the footsteps of their parents. Their rich photographic collection provides a glimpse into the lives of those who made their living from the land.

14 15 Education

Exploring Your Roots

1 4 5 Education plays a central part in presence of siblings at a school School photographs, particularly 3 the lives of young people today and perhaps other relations as early ones, were often taken and this has been the situation well. As well as giving details of out of doors. However, pupils 1-2. Toreagh National School, for most children for nearly two family history, school registers spent most of their time inside Larne in 1916 and in 1932. centuries. The establishment show the size of a school and a schoolroom where familiar 3-4. Guy’s School, Wellington of National Schools in 1831 thus indicate the number of objects included ink wells, Street, Ballymena 1912. brought primary education to pupils in each class and the primers or copybooks and text children in Ireland. Schools strength, or otherwise, of a books. These objects show how 5. Ballymena Model School, were built, teachers were community. children learned in the past. Of Ballymoney Road c.1925. trained and an education particular interest are copybooks 6. Pupils of Mossley National structure was set in place to School photographs provide that taught pupils how to write School. 6 ensure that children learned a fascinating glimpse into in attractive copperplate writing. reading, writing, arithmetic as the world of education. Some Comparing these with modern 7. Selection of copybooks from well as other subjects. School schools had regular group school books and equipment Mid-Antrim Museum Collection. then became an everyday photographs taken and, if the shows how education has 8. Galgorm National School, 7 part of life for generations of names are known, these can changed over the years. Ballymena. children. reveal the faces of ancestors. Learning about learning can be Even if the photographs are really interesting! When tracing family history, not annotated, they show the school records can be an type of world inhabited by important source of information. our relations. So much can In particular, school registers be learned from looking at are valuable as not only do they photographs, including the type record the names of pupils but of clothing worn by the children, usually their dates of birth and their shoes (sometimes the sometimes details such as the pupils were in bare feet), their occupation of the pupil’s father, hairstyles and their often their address and religious stern-looking teachers. Even in denomination. In addition, black and white, they capture a registers show the years when moment from the past, including a child attended a school, the expressions on the pupils’ confirming their residence in faces and perhaps a blur where an area at a particular time. a child moved just as the shutter Registers can also reveal the was pressed.

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World Wars Exploring Your Roots 4

Wars make an impact on the The main fighting took place far Factories, such as the shell history of families, usually from Carrickfergus, in France, factory in Cullybackey, through active service by Belgium and the Dardanelles, provided employment 2 individuals. The two world but many households were as they adapted to war wars of the twentieth century devastated when telegrams demands. However, most of were enormously significant arrived announcing the death those who joined the Royal and most County Antrim of a family member. Many of Air Force, Royal Navy or the communities were affected those who died left widows army spent the war far from by them to some degree. and young children behind Ireland. As in World War Exploring the lives of those and these bereaved families One, news of injuries and who were caught up in these were a permanent legacy of deaths to those in active conflicts can tell much about the war. Such deaths could service, brought grief and those periods in history and have an impact well beyond long-lasting changes to local how war changed families, the 1914-1918 period. For families. sometimes permanently. example, at Sentry Hill, near Carnmoney, Tom McKinney Military service could be was raised on the family farm carried out near home or could and spent a year at agricultural mean travel to distant lands. college in preparation for During World War One the ultimately taking over the local impact can be seen by property. His death during the looking at the Carrickfergus Battle of the Somme in 1916 and Whitehead area. Troops meant a different future for the trained at army camps farm which eventually passed at Sunnylands, a coastal to his cousin, Joe Dundee. defence battery at Kilroot kept regular watch on shipping World War Two again made while an airship sub-station an impact on communities. at Bentra, near Whitehead, Larne, for example, became a 3 used dirigibles to help vital transport hub with over 1. Local members of the Ballymena 2/6 Anti- counter attacks from enemy four million service personnel Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery, taken in the submarines. Troops from all and 92,000 vehicles passing Castle Demesne, on the hill now known as parts of Ireland and Britain through the port. Bases ‘Corlea Gardens’. were stationed nearby, making for Air Sea Rescue and 2-4. Tom McKinney’s stands with his family their own impact on the area anti-submarine at Sentry Hill. His death at the Battle of the whether on duty or during training were also Somme in 1916 meant a different future for the leisure times. at Larne where family farm. local people were 5. Greeting card from the Great War. active in services such Mid-Antrim Museum collection. as the Home Guard, Air Raid Precautions, British Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Brigade. Similar organisations were busy in Ballymena where local people volunteered their services.

18 19 There are many ways to discover more about the 9 world wars and their impact on families. Organisations such as the Commonwealth War Grave Commission provide information on casualties of the two wars and have a searchable website. Visiting significant sites help to understand the wars. For example, in Carrickfergus the 6 United States Rangers Centre is dedicated to the men of the First Battalion of this elite American 10 Army Unit which was activated in the town in 1942. Led by Major William O. Darby, the battalion played an important role in the conflict. War 7 memorials, gravestones, photographs, contemporary film footage and publications all reveal much about the war. In addition, objects such as war medals and Next-of-Kin Memorial Plaques provide a tangible link with the past. Some war-related items 8 may be found in the home. Poignant photographs of men and women in uniform were usually kept by families for generations. One of the most important wartime records is the personal account: written descriptions and recorded interviews 12 reveal the impact of war 11 on individuals. Talking to those who remember the 6. Members of the Women’s 10. Shell factory at Cullybackey, war can provide significant Royal Naval Service who worked Ballymena. at Larne Naval Base and billeted information for family in the Towers Hotel. 11-12. Major Darby at the research, as well as gaining Normandy Landings and insights into life during 7. Members of Larne Home meeting President Roosevelt. times of world Guard. conflict. 13. Bessie Cherry and her 8. Discharging military vehicles brother Alex, from Craigywarren. at Larne Harbour during World. Alex served in the 1st World War Two by permission of The Imperial War. Bessie worked in Margaret War Museum, neg no. A8896 Kenny’s shop ‘The Dairy’ in Bridge Street. It was directly 9. Distribution of Gas masks at across from Morrow’s Shop, Carrickfergus Town Hall. now the entrance to The Braid 13 Museum and Arts Centre.

20 21 1 Municipal 6 Records Exploring Your Roots

Taxes are never popular, but Public authority records can all sorts of taxes and charges be very varied, as outlined have been levied on people for above, or can focus on a centuries. In order to collect specific organisation. For this money, records need to example, workhouses were 2 5 be kept to ensure that names, established all over Ireland addresses and other details are from 1838 and by 1841 about recorded accurately. This sort 130 Poor Law Unions were in of activity is just one aspect of existence. Each union covered the role of local authorities and a specific geographical area other public bodies over the and a workhouse was built to centuries. house the poor and destitute, including children and the The composition and duties of elderly. Workhouses were public bodies have changed constructed in both Ballymena over time, with new functions and Larne and were operated 3 and structures replacing earlier by Boards of Guardians, funded operations. However, the need by a taxes on landlords and to maintain records in some others, with staff employed form has not greatly altered and to manage the day-to-day these records can be valuable activities. Workhouse records sources for those exploring such as minute books, family history. For example, registers of admissions and rate books and similar records registers of births and deaths can show details of a person, can be a valuable source for a residence or business at a family research. Not only do particular period of time. They they generally list those who can also reveal much about spent time in the workhouse, 1. Extract from Larne Petty Sessions the general state of the local but they can provide details of Register 1847 – 1877. economy. staff and those who supplied food and other goods to the 2. Extract from Ballymena workhouse Minutes of meetings are institution. The Public Record register. an important part of record Office of Northern Ireland 3. Extract from Larne Town 4 keeping by local authorities. holds records relating to Commissioners minute book 1854. Most details are routine, but can both Ballymena and Larne be very specific in relation to a workhouses. 4. Electoral roll of Carrickfergus person, an event or a location. freeholders who had certain rights and privileges. Freemen could vote Sometimes this sort of detail Whether general records, in parliamentary and local elections is not available elsewhere or those relating to 1785-1850. The Freemen certificates and so minute books can be a specific organisations, are available for consultation at useful source of information. municipal records have a role Carrickfergus Museum. The minutes of corporations, in unravelling the history of a 5. Corporation record held by councils and similar authorities family or in exploring the world Carrickfergus Borough Council. over the centuries deal with in which an ancestor lived. a wide range of subjects. 6. A petition signed by local men Together these influence the requesting a Free Library and shape of a landscape, the Newsroom for the town of Larne. emergence of a town or village and how people interact with each others.

22 23 only provide key information the Chichester Monument about those interred, but can commemorates Arthur 4 also be attractive and artistic Chichester (1563-1625) and Exploring in themselves. The style of his family. Chichester was Lord engraving and other details Deputy of Ireland from 1605- Graveyards on headstones can show craft 1615. Exploring Your Roots skills which were often carried out by local people. Memorial Another early graveyard is plaques and inscriptions the medieval St. Cedma’s placed inside churches and in Larne. Catering for the other buildings can be another combined parishes of Larne useful source of information and Inver, the graveyard Those researching family about individuals and their has headstones dating from history are likely to find achievements. 1628. Many of these stones themselves looking at graveyard have been removed from their inscriptions at some stage in In Ballymena, one of the most original locations and are now their investigations. Graveyards historic graveyards is the Old arranged around the outer wall. come in many shapes and sizes Churchyard in Church Street. The graveyard surrounds St. and vary greatly in age, but all It originally surrounded an Cedma’s Church which dates 5 can have great value in providing eighteenth century Church from about 1350. information about those interred. of Ireland church which was replaced in the 1850s by a new The headstones in the above Many official burial records building, St. Patrick’s, on Castle graveyards have all been are held by the Public Record Street. Only the tower survives inscribed and this material is Office of Northern Ireland, local of the earlier church and the available to researchers. The authorities or by local museums. site contains many graves of Ulster Historical Foundation Inscriptions on headstones not relevance to those undertaking has made many of these family research. inscriptions available, see page 32 for further details. Some The graveyard in Ballynure, like museums have facilitated 1 that in Ballymena, contains this type of research: Mid- the remains of the old parish Antrim Museum has details of church. Built in 1602, its rector headstone inscriptions from from 1695-96 was the famous almost all the graveyards cleric and writer Jonathan in the Ballymena Borough, Swift. A new church, Christ as well as some interment Church, was built nearby and records freely available on 6 consecrated in 1856. The old its website. A publication on graveyard not only contains Ballymena Old Churchyard many interesting graves, but containing headstone also has a corpse house which inscriptions is available at was used as an initial resting Mid-Antrim Museum, a number place to thwart graverobbers. of burial records from other local churches can also be An earlier churchyard can be consulted here. found surrounding St. Nicholas’ Church in Carrickfergus. This Exploring graveyards can 1. Heritage and walking trail site of worship dates to the provide vital information for leaflets such as those produced by 2 Newtownabbey Borough Council late twelfth century when John family research and can also can help to locate graveyards and de Courcy established both be an interesting day out. understand their role in a local 3 the church and the nearby Even if the headstone of a community. castle. Burials took place over particular ancestor is not found, the centuries, as can be seen it can be fascinating to view 2-3. St. Nicholas Church, by the many gravestones and other inscriptions and learn Carrickfergus. memorials in the graveyard more about those who were 4. Ballymena Old Churchyard. and church. The most striking associated with an area in monument is inside the church: earlier centuries. 5. St Cedma’s Church, Inver, Larne. 6. Corpse House at Ballynure graveyard, Newtownabbey.

24 25 2 Look again at old photographs, surroundings, give details 1 letters, copies of wills, about where they lived and certificates, family Bibles their background. Studying Treasures and other documents found photographs carefully at home or perhaps in the can give fascinating At Home possession of a relative. information, for example, Exploring Your These can provide all sorts of in looking closely at the Roots clues about the history of a jewellery of a lady it might family. Photographs not only be possible to spot a show family members, but brooch or ring that is still When researching family in capturing their dress and owned by the family. history it is amazing what can be found in our own 5 homes. People often collect mementoes from important family occasions and these can be passed down from generation to generation.

1. Holy Communion certificate. Carrickfergus Museum Collection 2. Band of Hope certificates declared total abstinence from alcohol. 3. Brooches belonging to Margaret (Meg) McKinney, daughter of William Fee McKinney. 4. McKinney family tree, 5. William Fee McKinney’s diary, 6. Mckinney funeral card. Sentry Hill Collection William Fee McKinney, born in 1832 at Sentry Hill, built up a remarkable collection of diaries, family letters and an extensive library of books and pamphlets. Along with souvenirs from family travels abroad, William collected natural history specimens and items of local historical interest. 26 27 Old letters not only contain and death obviously are very Paper documents are not importance at key times Exploring the home for 8 useful information about the important, but other certificates the only source of family in the history of families clues about family history lives of the writers, but the can also show other details. For information found in homes. and indeed photographs can be very rewarding quality of paper used, the style example, a certificate awarding Sometimes Christening often recorded such and can yield all sorts of of writing and the signature help a prize to a child in a school or robes or wedding dresses occasions. Christening interesting information. us to connect with an ancestor. youth organisation helps to are carefully preserved robes and wedding dresses Building on this knowledge, Wills and legal documents can capture an important moment in over many years. Usually are also items that can the researcher can then show family relationships and the life of that individual. Family handmade, these garments be admired for their own look to other sources, might also provide information Bibles often were used to record frequently show wonderful sake, as fine examples of including museums where 9 about where people lived key information such as the craftsmanship and a high skilled needlework and as objects and information and what property or land births, marriages and deaths of level of decoration. The care an indication of what was can help to understand the was associated with a family. family members and can be very taken to make and preserve fashionable at the time that background to the lives of Certificates of birth, marriage informative. such garments shows their they were made. ancestors.

8. Jane & Charles Ross. Larne Museum Collection 9. Sadie Morrow was christened in 1919. She would later own Morrow’s shop, the original home of Ballymena Museum. 11 10-11. The Dunlop family were originally from The Flush (Old Portglenone Road, Ahoghill). Around 1914, they moved to the Ballymena Road, in a house beside Ahoghill Orange Hall, where they opened a garage. The photo above shows Jack Dunlop, on a motorcycle, in the garage, 1923. 12. Sampler by Sarah Wray 1854. Proven needlework skills were once a must for young girls. Larne Museum collection 13. Tom McKinney’s christening cup. Tom was later killed at the Battle of the Somme, 1916. (See Page 18)

28 29 Individual sites within the • Sentry Hill offers researches The internet census was taken on 1 April Mid-Antrim Service offer some access to its rich archive. A The internet has transformed of that year and contains publicly accessible archives of Sentry Hill CD containing a genealogy around the world additional information including Where to interest to researchers. variety of archival material is and Ireland is no exception. the number of years a wife was go next? also available for purchase. There are hundreds of married, the number of children • Larne Museum’s community websites that can help you born and the number still living. Exploring Your Roots multi- media archive contains • Mid-Antrim Museum’s find out more about your digital images, video and website contains headstone ancestors. Some websites Griffith’s sound files for public use. inscriptions and some focus on a particular county or Valuation, c.1860 interment records. An district and contain extensive This Primary Valuation of • Carrickfergus Museum’s online Picture Library lists of digitised sources, Ireland, better known as community archive room contains images from the while others concentrate Griffith’s Valuation, is the contains a wealth of museum’s rich photographic on a particular family. Two earliest comprehensive information relating to collections, which are important Irish genealogical listing of property in Ireland. World War Two. available for purchase. sources that are now available It is particularly useful if you online are early twentieth- are trying to locate where in Researching family history is century census returns and Ireland your ancestor was like being a detective. Clues Griffith’s Valuation. living in the mid-nineteenth and information need to be century. It includes the most gathered from many sources, Census records palatial of mansions as well assessed and then put into Many people have become as the humblest of labourers’ a format where a family tree interested in their family cottages. The printed version and related information can be history for the first time of Griffith’s Valuation for County built up. This can take many through finding an ancestor in Antrim was issued around hours of work, but it is often the 1901 and 1911 census, 1860. very rewarding and provides both of which are now available a wonderful insight into the online thanks to a joint In the recent years a number worlds of our ancestors. initiative between the National of free indexes to the Archives of Ireland and Library information contained in Having exhausted the and Archives Canada (www. Griffith’s Valuation have been resources at your immediate census.nationalarchives.ie). made available online. The disposal, having asked all most useful of these websites the pertinent questions of an Although the first true census is www.askaboutireland.ie elderly relative, and having was held in Ireland in 1821 which provides a free search copied the birth, marriage and thereafter every ten years facility. Not only does the and death entries from the until 1911, unfortunately, the website include scanned family Bible, what next? Avid earliest census that survives images of the original printed genealogists will leave no stone in its entirety for the whole of version of Griffith’s Valuation, unturned in the search for Ireland is the 1901 census. it also includes the annotated ancestors and will pursue every Census returns 1821-51 valuation maps which allow you avenue of research until all were almost entirely lost in to pinpoint the precise location have been exhausted. 1922 in the destruction of the of every property in Ireland at Public Record Office in Dublin. that time. Census returns 1861-91 were completely destroyed by government order, many Libraries during the First World War as Local libraries are frequently scrap paper. overlooked as sources of information on family history, The 1901 census was taken but it their very ‘localness’ that on 31 March. The information makes them such important in the census is listed under places to carry out research. the following headings: name; The Local Studies Collection of relationship to the head the North-Eastern Education of the household; religion; and Library Board is now literacy; occupation; age; housed in Ballymena Central marital status; county of birth Library. It is well worth a visit (or country if born outside for its collections of printed Ireland); and ability to speak volumes, newspapers, school English or Irish. The 1911 records, maps and directories.

30 31 Other branch libraries have Exclusively for members of ancestor) and the Ulster Covenant surveys, and valuation. There School records The administrative important collections of local the North of Ireland Family of 1912 (naming those who are excellent records for the The records of over 1,500 headquarters of the General material. Carrickfergus Library History Society (www.nifhs. were opposed to Home Rule for Adair estate around Ballymena schools in Northern Ireland Register Office in the has another excellent collection org) is the Research Centre Ireland). and the Donegall estate which are held at PRONI. Of particular Republic of Ireland is now of local materials. in Park Avenue, Belfast. There covered much of south-east interest are the enrolment in Roscommon, but there is are over a dozen branches of Some of the more important County Antrim. The estate registers. These record the full a research facility open to The Linen Hall Library in Donegall the North of Ireland Family categories of record held by PRONI records in these collections date name of the pupil, his or her members of the public in Lower Square North was founded in History Society, including local are listed below: back to the early seventeenth date of birth (or age at entry), Abbey Street in Dublin. The 1788 as the Belfast Reading branches in Ballymena, Larne, century. religion, father’s address and GROI holds master copies of Society and is the oldest library and Newtownabbey, and each Church records occupation (but unfortunately births, death and marriages for in Belfast. Its Genealogical organises a lecture programme PRONI has an unrivalled collection Wills and not his name), details of all of Ireland up to 1921 and Collection is unsurpassed in and outings during the year. of church registers for the entire testamentary papers attendance and academic thereafter for the Republic of Northern Ireland for the sheer province of Ulster and covering all Prior to 1858 the Church of progress and the name of the Ireland only. numbers of published family the main religious denominations. Ireland was responsible for school previously attended. histories. Other useful libraries Public Record Office of Most of these registers are administering all testamentary Civil registration indexes for include the library of the Northern Ireland available on microfilm, though affairs. Unfortunately, nearly Ireland are available online via Presbyterian Historical Society The Public Record Office of there are original records as well. all original wills probated General Register Offices the website FamilySearch.org now in College Green in Belfast. Northern Ireland (PRONI) Prior to the commencement before 1858 were destroyed The official keeping of all (www.familysearch.org). Rather The emphasis here is obviously in Belfast is one of the best of civil registration (in 1864) in Dublin in 1922. However, births, deaths and marriages than searching the indexes in on Presbyterian history with a regional archives in the UK and the main sources of family indexes to these destroyed began in Ireland in 1864. Prior Belfast or Dublin genealogists large number of congregational has moved to new premises in history information are church wills do exist and are available to this non-Catholic marriages can now search a single name histories. Opened in 1888 Titanic Quarter. One of the main registers. The availability of at PRONI. In 1858 testamentary had been officially recorded, index of births, deaths and Belfast Central Library in Royal features of PRONI’s collections these varies from congregation matters were brought under but only since 1 April 1845. marriages for the period 1845- Avenue is the city’s principal is the fact that they cover to congregation. Some, mainly civil jurisdiction and exercised The General Register Office of 1921 with additional indexes library and houses some both public (i.e. official) and Church of Ireland, date from as far through District Probate Northern Ireland (GRONI) is for the Republic of Ireland 1,000,000 volumes. A section private records. These include back as the seventeenth century, Registries and a Principal located in Chichester Street after 1922. within Central Library is the thousands of documents but many others, especially Registry in Dublin. PRONI holds in Belfast and has records of Belfast Newspaper Library. relating to the management Catholic registers, start no earlier the transcripts of wills created births, marriages and deaths of the great landed estates, than the 1830s. by the district registries from for the six counties that now The Ulster Historical Foundation records of many important 1858 to 1900, and then from make up Northern Ireland. is now based at 49 Malone businesses and records Landed estate records 1900 on has original copies of Road in Belfast where it has relating to the governance of Until the early part of the wills. its library and research centre. many of Northern Ireland’s twentieth century, most of the Among the Foundation’s towns. land in Ireland was possessed electronic resources is a large by landowners whose estates database of civil and church Among PRONI’s online ranged in size from 1,000 records. For County Antrim these databases is an online index acres or less to, in some cases, are principally civil marriage to entries in the will calendars over 100,000. Nearly all of the records, 1845-1921, and pre- relating to the three district farmers in Ireland were tenants 1900 Catholic registers. The registries of Armagh, Belfast on such estates. The records Foundation has also published and Londonderry covering generated by the management several volumes of gravestone the period 1858-1919. of landed estates are a inscriptions for east Antrim and Other resources that can be major source of genealogical has recordings from other burial consulted on the website of information. The best collection grounds from across County PRONI include the databases of Irish estate papers is housed Antrim. Most of these records are of registers of freeholders in the Public Record Office of available via its website (www. (naming those qualified to Northern Ireland. These records ancestryireland.com) either vote), nineteenth-century include leases, lease-books, on a pay-per-view basis or for street directories (particularly rentals, maps, members only. useful if looking for a Belfast

32 33 MUSEUM AT THE MILL GENERAL REGISTER NATIONAL ARCHIVES DIPPAM Newtownabbey Borough OFFICE OF IRELAND OF IRELAND Dippam is an on-line virtual Council , Newtownabbey, (administrative headquarters) Bishop Street, Dublin 8 archive of documents and Useful Co. Antrim, BT36 5QA Convent Road, sources relating to Ireland Addresses Roscommon Tel: (01) 407 2300 and its migration experience Exploring Your Tel: 02890340129 Email: [email protected] from the 18th to the late 20th Roots Email: Tel: +353 (0)90 6632900 Web: www.nationalarchives.ie centuries. [email protected] Web: www.groireland.ie Website: www.dippam.ac.uk (public research room) NATIONAL LIBRARY SENTRY HILL HISTORIC Irish Life Centre, OF IRELAND COMMONWEALTH WAR MID-ANTRIM MUSEUM HOUSE AND VISITOR CENTRE Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Kildare Street, Dublin 2 GRAVES COMMISSION AT THE BRAID 40 Ballycraigy Road Website: www.cwgc.org 1-29 Bridge Street Newtownabbey, BT36 4SX Tel: (01) 603 0200 Ballymena Borough Council LINEN HALL LIBRARY Email: [email protected] BT 43 5EJ Tel: 028 9083 2363 17 Donegall Square North Web: www.nli.ie Email: Belfast, BT1 5GD Tel: 028 2565 7161 [email protected] Web: www.thebraid.com Tel: (028) 9032 1707 BALLYMENA Email: [email protected] CENTRAL LIBRARY ULSTER HISTORICAL Web: www.linenhall.com/ 5 Pat’s Brae , Ballymena CARRICKFERGUS MUSEUM FOUNDATION Home/home.html County Antrim , BT43 5AX AND CIVIC CENTRE 49 Malone Road 11 Antrim Street Belfast, BT9 6RY PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF Tel: 028 2563 3964/ Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG NORTHERN IRELAND 2563 3960 Tel: (028) 90661988 Titanic Boulevard Fax: 028 2563 2038 Tel: 028 9335 8000 Email: [email protected] Belfast, BT Email: localstudies.neelb@ Email: [email protected] Web: www.ancestryireland.com librariesni.org.uk Email: [email protected] Web: www.proni.gov.uk LARNE MUSEUM GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE AND ARTS CENTRE OF NORTHERN IRELAND 2 Victoria Road Oxford House Larne, BT40 1RN 49/55 Chichester Street Belfast, BT1 4HL Tel: 02828279482 Email: Tel: (028) 9025 2000 [email protected] Email: [email protected]. uk (Birth, Death and Marriage Certificate Enquiries) Web: www.groni.gov.uk

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