researching James Bell who I believe was born in Ballygawly. I have a child Matilda who was born in Caledon, but the other two children I have birth information for were born in Garvaghy in the mid 1840s. One was called Hamilton Richardson Bell which may help me trace family. James married Margaret Neville from co Monaghan and they moved to New Zealand in 1863.
kiwikate
Tuesday 16th Jun 2015, 11:15PMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Kate
Here's a possible record for James from rootsireland:
Dungannon is 13 miles from Ballygawley.
However the other children from these parents were Eugene & Mary Ann!
There are some Matilda & Hamilton records but they are 1870's so too late?
There are some marriage records of Matilda Bell in Tyrone in the 1850's; 2 have father William and were born in the 1850's:
Here's a possible one for Hamilton:
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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What denomination was James Bell and approximately when was he born?
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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I finally found some hard evidence re the Bells. Hamilton Richardson was baptized in January 1844 at Errigal keerogue and his father was living at Gavaghy. The family were Church of Ireland.
kiwikate
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Griffiths Valuation for 1860 lists James Bell farming in Garvaghy, Errigal Keerogue. He had plot 54 which was a farmhouse, outbuildings and just over 32 acres. I also noticed an Alexander Bell on plot 36, a 46 acres farm, so he might well be related. Plot 54 today is up a dead end lane off the modern Garvaghy Rd which is just off the A5 at Radergan Rd.
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch
The valuation revision books show that James Farm changed hands in 1864, suggesting either that he had left or died. A Wm Conroy was the new tenant.
http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/val12b.htm
Death registration only started in 1864 so if he died before that it won’t be in the statutory records. There is a death of a JB regd in Dungannon on 3.5.1868 aged 79 and another on 15.11.1868 aged 78. They could be him.
Errigal Keerogue COI records start in 1812, and there’s a copy in PRONI in Belfast.
There was still a Bell farm in Garvaghy in 1901. Presumably descended from Alexander. (The revaluation records should show). They were Presbyterian (indicative of Scottish origins).
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tyrone/Errigal/Garvagh…
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘