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I am trying to locate further information on the parents of James Weir (born in Green Street, Saltcoats ~1848). His Father (James Weir) and Mother (Mary Milligan) were both born in Ireland. How can I determine their place of birth? I welcome advice on how to proceed.

Here is the 1851 census entry that gives the family details.


Click to enlarge

George,

I'm afraid you are going to find things very difficult. All four of my grandparents were born in Ireland. Fortunately we know when and where. However, trying to go any further back in Ireland is virtually impossible, as there are no records existing anywhere prior to 1854.

I spent a considerable amount of time in County archives, cemeteries and visiting many parish priests where I was given access to their BDM records. The only thing that offered some help was the Griffiths valuation, but for this you would need to know where they were born or lived.

JD.

John Donnelly wrote:George,

I'm afraid you are going to find things very difficult. All four of my grandparents were born in Ireland. Fortunately we know when and where. However, trying to go any further back in Ireland is virtually impossible, as there are no records existing anywhere prior to 1854.

I spent a considerable amount of time in County archives, cemeteries and visiting many parish priests where I was given access to their BDM records. The only thing that offered some help was the Griffiths valuation, but for this you would need to know where they were born or lived.

JD.

Thanks for your insight John. I realise that the Irish connection is problematic, especially without a place of residence). I had hoped that there would be birth records for either of the two children (born in Ardrossan parish) that might indicate the place of birth of the parents. Unfortunately, both dates of birth are earlier than the records available through http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Perhaps death certificates for the Irish born couple would include place of birth?

Hi George,

Check the 1861 Census for the family. If you're lucky you'll find another child born to this couple between 1855 and the time of the 1861 census. The parent's marriage, date and place will be on that child's birth certificate.

If you're really lucky and find a child born during 1855 it'll be a gold mine of extra information. 1855 was a very special year for Births, Marriages and Death certificates - it was the first year of civil registration in Scotland.

Hughie wrote:Hi George,

Check the 1861 Census for the family. If you're lucky you'll find another child born to this couple between 1855 and the time of the 1861 census. The parent's marriage, date and place will be on that child's birth certificate.

If you're really lucky and find a child born during 1855 it'll be a gold mine of extra information. 1855 was a very special year for Births, Marriages and Death certificates - it was the first year of civil registration in Scotland.

Thanks Hughie. I checked the 1861 census and managed to find some of the family (still in Stevenston), but no children born since 1855 - in fact, the youngest was born ~1853. Parish records have so far come up with nothing, but I'll plug away...

You could try looking for a poor relief record
Surname Forename Age Birth Parish Reference Film # Misc
100 Records Found Weir Agnes 37 Ireland 248 2170849-1 Single
Weir George 75 Ireland 596 2170849-2
Weir Agnes 36 Ireland 697 2170878-1
Weir Agnes 36 Ireland 749 2170878-1
Weir Isabella 24 Ireland 863 2170878-1
Weir Thomas 64 Ireland 116 2170878-2

Weir John 56 Ireland 916 2170879-2
Weir George 69 Ireland 968 2170879-2
Weir George 51 Ireland 1077 2170879-2
Weir James 25 Saltcoats 209 2170878-2
Weir Janet 65 Ireland 1721 1936761-2 Crawford
Weir James 65 Ireland 302 1936764-2
Weir John 25 Dublin 150 1936690-3 single discharged soldier
Weir John 75 Ireland 2399 1936767-2
Weir Janet 65 Ireland 4272 1936770-1 Crawford
Weir Jane 68 Ireland 5130 1936771-2 Crawford
Weir Jane 71 Ireland 6267 1936788-2 Crawford
Weir John 76 Ireland 1148 2170849-3

Hi george

have you tried Ulster Historical Foundation or the new LDS Pilot Site i have had some success on both

Huey1

you may want to try: Proni.gov.uk it is the public records of Northern Ireland's web site.

My thanks to ellenadamson, huey1 and mckay47. I will explore your suggestions and report back on any progress.

G.

where did James and Mary marry? ireland? if so then you may be fortunate they married in the bride's parish church, and even luckier if it is her family church in ireland where she was baptised. i have had success along this line before twice. goldmine.
also try http://www.pensear.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; as they have data of old age pension returns taken from the irish census returns from 1841 and 1851. the originals are in proni. anyone in 1907 who was 70 and qualified for the new old age pension return in ireland would have had their families census returns checked from these 2 census years. it aims to confirm their age as they wouldn't have had a birth cert as civil reg didn't start in ireland for births until 1864 hence the look up needed by the enumerators. worth trying. if you do find something worth checking, don't pay pensear but try your local lds family history centre for a free look up if they hold them. or the belfast forum for volunteers who go to proni. good luck.

Thanks bobthebarber,i've just found my G Grandfather on that site.

Ellen