Researching family in County Down, Ireland? Then this book is for you. Well
illustrated, and well indexed this books was created exclusively to help you
find your family in County Down.
Focusing specifically on families within the county, it includes an
introduction to research and sources in Down. The most numerous families from
birth records are given, as well as rather rare Down families found in heraldic
records. Included you will find a full page county map from the Atlas of
Ireland, along with a listing of modern parishes and old townlands, along with
the address and location of records for more research. Published by the Irish
Genealogical Foundation, this book was originally made for members researching
in Down.
This work includes copies of actual records (some worn, torn and faded), from
the Irish Genealogical Foundation Library, and includes rough sketches of family
coats of arms and notes from centuries past - seldom found elsewhere. The
resources provided here will help research any family in the county, including
old Irish families, and settler families from England, Scotland, Wales and the
continent. This book is a hands on guide for finding your family in Down.
Among the most numerous families here in the 19th century were:
Thompson (Thomson)
Smith (Smyth, Smythe)
Campbell (Cambell, Camble)
Martin (Martyn)
Patterson (Paterson, Pattersen)
Wilson (Willson)
Graham
Johnston (Johnson)
Murray (Murry)
Brown (Browne)
Robinson (Robenson, Robinsen)
Hamilton
Bell
Scott (Scot)
Boyd
The parishes in County Down as listed in this work include: Aghaderg, Annaclone,
Annahilt, Ardglass, Ardkeen, Ardquin, Ballee, Ballyculter, Ballyhalbert or St.
Andrew, Ballykinler, Ballyphilip, Ballytrustan, Ballywalter, Bangor, Blaris,
Bright, Castleboy, Clonallan, Clonduff, Comber, Donaghadee, Donaghcloney,
Donaghmore, Down, Dromara, Dromore, Drumballyroney, Drumbeg, Drumbo, Drumgath,
Drumgooland, Dundonald, Dunsfort, Garvaghy, Grey Abbey, Hillsborough, Holywood,
Inch, Inishargy, Kilbroney, Kilclief, Kilcoo, Kilkeel, Killaney, Killinchy,
Killyleagh, Kilmegan, Kilmood, Kilmore, Knockbreda, Lambeg, Loughinisland,
Maghera, Magheradrool, Magherahamlet, Magheralin, Magherally, Moira, Newry,
Newtownards, Rathmullan, Saintfield, Saul, Seapatrick, Shankill, Slanes, St.
Andrew or Ballyhalbert, Tullylish, Tullynakill, Tyrella and Warrenpoint. Some of
these names have changed over time, just as Irish surnames did. The researcher
should be aware of similar spellings and sounds when looking for a particular
parish.
Contents:
- List of Books
- Illustration from an earlier work
Part One
- Introduction to Sources; Birth Index
- National Resource List
- Local Resource List
- Names in County Down
Part Two
- The Complete Existing returns from the 'census' of 1659, showing the
methods of spelling family and place names at that time
Part Three
- Coats of Arms and Genealogical Notes
- Arms connected in some way to the county, as taken from the "Irish
Book of Arms"
Part Four
- Finding Locations
- County Map
- Index of Place Names, Ancient and Modern
- Index
