Finding Irish Ancestors
Genealogy Hints by Jeannette Holland Austin
Belfast, Ireland.
Because of the many wars in Northern Ireland, it is difficult to locate records for the genealogists. For example, not all census records exist. As a general rule of thumb, the counties of Down and Antrim were presbyterians and all other counties predominately Catholic. For this reason, there are some official documents such as old wills and estates in Dublin. The following is an example of the 1475 estate of Richard Fich, which was published in the
Diocese of Dublin.
“This testament was proved before us Richard Fich, official of the Court of Dublin, and by us approved and registered the tenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1475, and administration of the goods was granted to the within written executors, they being sworn in form of law. Given under the seal of our office the day and year above written. Inventory of all the goods of Richard White of Swords made the 26th day of March in the year of our Lord 1476. First, in moneys 15* 6"*. Item, I farm horse worth 3' 4'', Item, 3 brass pots worth 16' 4**. Item, X pan worth iS"*. Item, another pan worth 6^ Item, i cart worth 6' 8^ Item, a body of a cart worth 16''. Item, my tole worth 4° 4"*. Item, 6 large augurs worth 6"*. Item, 40'''' of yarn worth 6' %^. Item, I coral worth 20^ in the hands of Jankyn Martyn of Navan. Item, a ring worth 10''. Item, household stuff worth 2^ Sum of the goods ;^3. i. 2. These are the debts which are owed. First, Robert Laueles of Swords owes 5' 8^^ Item, Brene Duff of Oberstown half a wey of tallow worth 4^ Item, John Graunt of Rathfeigh 14"^. Item, William et al”
The above book, among hundreds of other books on Ireland, have been added to Genealogy-Books and are included on the Georgia Pioneers Website To get a better grasp on the whereabouts of your Irish ancestors, it is a good idea to read these old, out-of-print books on the website.
Suffice it to say, more protestants came to American than catholics. Antrim contained a large population of Irish and Scotch-Irish persons who became coming to America as early as 1820. The port departure city was Belfast, Ireland and they generally docked in Philadelphia. From then on, these immigrants lived amongst other protestants in Buck and Berk counties in Pennsylvania until they journeyed southward into South Carolina and Georgia. One should read the religious books written in Chester and Laurens Counties, South Carolina, for clues. These people were very poor, and you will have to do some diggin!