I am looking for the ancestors of John Simpson born 1/1/1803 and Margaret Cordner born 12 July 1807. They were both born in Strabane Tyrone County Ireland and left for the US in 1830. They were married in Philadelphia, PA in 1831 and moved to Illinois. I would like any information on their parents, brothers, sisters who might have remained in Ireland. My e-mail is kicker94@juno.com
Tuesday 25th Jun 2013, 03:33PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi,
Thank you for your message.
In order to get information on the couple?s parents and possible siblings you will have to look in church records as civil registration did not begin until 1864.
Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available. Strabane falls under 2 Catholic parishes; Clonleigh where records begin as early as 1773 and Leckpatrick where records do not begin until 1863:
It may be an idea to contact Donegal Ancestry as they have copies of records going back to 1773, however a fee may apply. Here is their email:
Most surviving Church of Ireland records are still held by the local clergy, although some are in the National Archives of Ireland and others are in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. Here are their websites: http://www.nationalarchives.ie/ and http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42
Lists of these surviving registers can also be found at the National Library of Ireland.
Simpson was a very popular name in Tyrone in the mid 19th century:
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID=
Cordner was less so however and there was only one recorded in Tyrone in Griffith?s Valuation (a property valuation survey carried out 1848-64)
Some other websites that you may find useful are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Family Search: www.familysearch.org
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/tyrone/index.html
Co. Tyrone: http://www.cotyroneireland.com/
Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Tuesday 9th Jul 2013, 12:36PM