I am seeking information on the family of Alexander Whiteford and his wife Margaret Cain who I believe came from the local area, possibly around Fair Head.
I have been provided the following information "the baptism of James Whiteford, son of "Alic and Margaret (nee Cain)" on 7 May 1826 at the Culfeightrin Catholic church." James was my gg grandfather. He was subsequently christened on 26 May 1826 in Campbeltown Scotland as shown in the Old Parish Records. He remained in Campbeltown until he emigrated with his wife and children to Melbourne, Australia in 1852.
I understand from the person who provided the above information, another descendent of the Whiteford line, that there are two headstones at Fair Head - the first is for Alexander Whiteford (1745-1821) who may be the Alexander Whiteford who originally held a lease on the Cross Townland from before losing it, and Archibald Whiteford (1760-1809) who is possibly a brother of Alexander Whiteford. According to the information I have been provided, the Crosse was a lease from a Colonel Boyd.
Alexander (1745-1821) was buried in the Culfeightrin Church of Ireland graveyard and Archibald was buried in the Bonamargy Friary graveyard. I think the Whitefords of Fair Head were all descended from these two, one line being Protestant and the other Catholic.
The provider of the above information also noted that one of this Alexander Whiteford's descendents emigrated to Newfoundland.
My Alexander Whiteford and Margaret Cain's other children that I know of were Archibald Whiteford, (born abt 1820) and Margaret and Catherine. I think they were all born in Antrim but having gone to Scotland, they remained there. There may have also been a Rosanne Whiteford and another brother both of whom emigrated to the US.
I would love to find relatives locally, however distant. I am planning to travel to Ireland, both Northern Ireland and the Republic in 2014 and will be looking to walk the same areas my ancestors came from.
Thanks all for any information about the families or the locality.
Regards Anne Whiteford
perplexed1
Wednesday 16th Oct 2013, 11:52AMMessage Board Replies
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Thank you for your message. Some sites which may be helpful to you - if you haven't tried them already - are: (note: some are free/some paying)
From Ireland/Antrim: http://www.from-ireland.net/county-antrim-genealogy/
County Antrim Genealogy Projects: http://www.igp-web.com/antrim/
Antrim: The Irish Archives directory: http://www.theirisharchives.com/counties/view/19/Antrim
British parliamentary papers on Ireland can be found at: http://eppi.dippam.ac.uk/documents/9824/eppi_pages/215093
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
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
Irish Newspaper Archives: http://www.irishnewsarchive.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