I am helping my wife trace her ancestry. One of her ancestors was named James McTeer or possibly Mateer. He came from Ireland around 1730 and settled in Cumberland County, Pennslyvanina, USA. There are some sources from old histories that say family history has him married with children when departing Ireland and losing his whole family to disease on the journey. He helped to found a Presbyterian church in Cumberland County, so I am assuming he was a Presbyterian in Ireland.
I know from the histories that around 1730 is when a great deal of emmigration from Ireland began. There were many individuals and in some cases, entire congregations that left to escape the tyranny of the English Laws and the Episcopal influence in the legislatures.
I have a pretty good history for him once he arrived. He is mentioned in several texts of place histories here in the USA. I am at a complete blank when it comes to his Irish history and possible links back to Scottland that many of those from the Ulster area could have had.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Sunday 25th Aug 2013, 01:49PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi,
Thank you very much for your email.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find any further information given the early date and also the fact that you do not know a specific parish of origin in Down. The reality of finding documentation pertaining to births/baptisms/marriages/deaths in Ireland prior to 1800 ? particularly in rural areas ? is that they simply may not exist. In addition Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.
It may be an idea to contact the Ulster Historical Foundation to see if they can be of any assistance, however a fee may apply for their services. Here is their email: enquiry@uhf.org.uk
Some websites that you may find useful in the meantime 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
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm
Family Search: www.familysearch.org
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/down/index.html
Irish Genealogy Toolkit: www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com
Presbyterian Records: http://www.presbyterianireland.org/About-Us/Historical-Information/Church-Records
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Tuesday 3rd Sep 2013, 03:25PM -
Hi. I cannot connect directly because I need to locate the birth of my William Mctear
but I do have contacts with Mctear line.
Thanks
Friday 3rd Jan 2014, 08:11PM