Mitchell Family

Sarah-Jane,

Can you give us Sarah Mitchell’s parents names and occupations please? (You should be able to get those from either her marriage or death certificate.)

Did her parents accompany her to Scotland or did they stay in Ireland?

I can see about 7 Mitchell families in Kilrea in the 1831 census.  Without exception, all were Presbyterian. So the denomination, location (ie Co Derry) and Mitchell being a common Scottish surname all point to them being descendants of Scots who settled in Ireland in the 1600s, either as part of the Plantation or as a result of later waves of migration eg due to famine in Scotland in the 1690s. We call them Ulster-Scots today.

Sarah-Jane,

At rootsireland.ie, there’s a transcription of the baptismal record of Sarah Mitchell of Kilrea, born 12 Dec. 1855, baptized in the COI parish of Kilrea, Co. Derry, on 10 Aug. 1856. Father: Leslie, a tailor; mother Eliza.

According to a transcription found at rootsireland,, Leslie Mitchel and Eliza Beresford, both of Kilrea, were married in the parish of First Kilrea in the Presbyterian church on 4 Aug 1845. Both parties were Presbyterian. Leslie was a tailor, son of tailor Samuel Mitchel, and a widower. Eliza, a "spinster," was the daughter of John Beresford, a labourer from Macosquin parish. Witnesses: William Carmichal, Thomas Smith.

Also, a Leslie Mitchel, son of Samuel Mitchel and Sarah McCay, was baptized in the COI, parish of Kilread, on 29 Jan. 1801; no birth date given.

According to a transcription found at rootsireland,, Leslie Mitchel and Eliza Beresford, both of Kilrea, were married in the parish of First Kilrea in the Presbyterian church on 4 Aug 1845. Both parties were Presbyterian. Leslie was a tailor, son of tailor Samuel Mitchel, and a widower. Eliza, a "spinster," was the daughter of John Beresford, a labourer from Macosquin parish. Witnesses: William Carmichal, Thomas Smith. Also, a Leslie Mitchel, son of Samuel Mitchel and Sarah McCay, was baptized in the COI, parish of Kilread, on 29 Jan. 1801; no birth date given.

In Griffith’s Valuation of Derry, 1858-59, Leslie Mitchell was living in the townland of "T/kilrea/bridge St." in Kilrea parish.

If the family Patricia has found is the right one then, this looks to be his marriage to Eliza Beresford:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1845/09286/5362177.pdf

Here’s his death in 1883, aged 75, informant was his son James.

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1883/06378/4830512.pdf

James Mitchell married Elizabeth Hunter in 1895:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1895/10540/5839340.pdf

Family in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Kilrea/Coleraine_Street/1521038/

And 1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Londonderry/Kilrea/Coleraine_Street/592081/

Probate of the Will of Elizabeth Mitchell late of Coleraine Street Kilrea County Londonderry Widow who died 23 February 1915 granted at Londonderry to James M'Connell Farmer and George Kidd Accountant.

In 1831 I do not see a Leslie Mitchell listed as a head of household. We know his father was Samuel and there was 1 Samuel in the census for that parish. His family consisted of 2 males & 1 female:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Loughinshollin/Kilrea/Kilrea/45/

Family in 1831 were Presbyterian. First Kilrea Presbyterian has records starting in 1825. Copy in PRONI in Belfast.

Thank you Patricia and Elwyn, that all looks correct except Leslie dying in 1883 age 75 doesn't match up with him being baptised in 1801 unless his son didn't realise he was actually 82 and not 75. This is what I have

Great Great Grandmother – Eliza (Elizabeth) Mitchell – Kilrea (Ireland) – Died 23rd February 1915

Great Great Grandfather – Leslie Mitchell – Kilrea - Tailor

In 1901 Great Grandmother – Sarah (Mitchell) – 46 b1855              Married in Partick – 1878 -  Irish

Great grandfather – Francis Dale – 50 – Hammerman – Irish died 1920

Elizabeth Dale – 22 (1879) – Design Copyist

Isabella Dale – 21 (1880)  – Design Copyist

1901 Census - Sarah Dale – 17 (1884) – Machinist

Sarah-Jane,

In general, people in Ireland in the 1800s didn’t celebrate birthdays, didn’t have birth certificates or passports (though they might sometimes have had a baptismal cert) and often had little accurate idea of their ages. Most ages on official documents were just a guess. An error of up to 10 years on a death certificate for someone in their 70s or 80s was common. 

I don’t think it’s likely that there were 2 people both named Leslie Mitchell, of around the same age, both tailors, in a small village like Kilrea.

I have attached a letter which I found in parish records in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast from someone in Pettigoe, Co. Donegal in 1908 writing to his Minister, asking for proof of age (ie a baptismal certificate). All he knew was that he was between “70 and 78 years of age.” He clearly had only the vaguest idea and couldn’t narrow it down to within 9 years. (The likely reason for the letter was that the old age pension was being introduced in 1909 for people aged 70 and over. Documentary proof of age was required. Thus, probably for the first time in his life, establishing his age accurately became relevant to him).

You have Eliza Mitchell who died in 1915 as your great great grandmother. I don’t think that’s correct. That Elizabeth was married to James Mitchell (who died 1913). James was Sarah’s brother.  Here’s the 1915 death:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1915/05284/4468058.pdf

Here’s James death:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_retu…

The 1883 death certificate for Leslie Mitchell says he was married, so his wife was still alive then. I searched for her death 1883 onwards but did not find it. She’s not in the 1901 census, so I assume she was dead by that year or had left the area.

One troubling aspect is Sarah Mitchell’s marriage (31st December 1877). She gives her parents as Leslie Mitchell and Elizabeth McCartney. You would expect her mother’s maiden name to be Beresford. She also indicated both were still alive in 1877. Sarah married after banns according to the Episcopal church so that fits with being Church of Ireland. (The 2 witnesses were William & Isabella Mitchell. Do you know where they fit in?).

Thanks Elwyn. So my Sarah Mitchell was married in Partick in Glasgow in 1878, Scotland to my Great Grandfather Francis Dale , we have the marriage certificate for that and that is definitely correct as they go on to have children who are my relatives (quite a few I knew as a child). My husband has it on his laptop and we are away at the moment. We don't know when she came to Glasgow but I think it shows her being born in Kilrea.

Just looked back on the census and the first time we see Sarah as Dale is 1881, nothing on the 1871 census as Mitchell but she would have only been 16 then. If she got married in Glasgow in 1878 then it's not the same Sarah Mitchell as you mention so you are right that isn't correct.

According to a transcription found at rootsireland,, Leslie Mitchel and Eliza Beresford, both of Kilrea, were married in the parish of First Kilrea in the Presbyterian church on 4 Aug 1845. Both parties were Presbyterian. Leslie was a tailor, son of tailor Samuel Mitchel, and a widower. Eliza, a "spinster," was the daughter of John Beresford, a labourer from Macosquin parish. Witnesses: William Carmichal, Thomas Smith.

Also, a Leslie Mitchel, son of Samuel Mitchel and Sarah McCay, was baptized in the COI, parish of Kilread, on 29 Jan. 1801; no birth date given.

I have been thinking about this and I wonder who the groom is on the Sarah Mitchell you have as getting married in 1877 , it should be Francis Dale so I wonder if they got married twice. I have an Irish friend who did the same a few years ago, having a second wedding at her church in Ireland after getting married in Mexico.

Hi again

Sorry for all the messages, so I have now looked at the marriage certificate and you are correct. It says 31st December 1877 for marriage at Episcopal church then registered in Partick in Glasgow. Francis's father was Alexander Dale, (Tailor) and Mother Elizabeth Dale , both deceased. Sarah's parents are Leslie Mitchell and Eilzabeth McCartney. Leslie was married twice so could his first wife also been named Elizabeth - Eliza and that is the marriage in 1845? I believe she died as the other info says that he was a widower on the other wedding.

The second marriage is probably the explanation, as you say.