James Beattie was born in 1820 although in his daughter Fannys birth record dated 1881 he states his age at 51 years making his birth more like 1829. He also states in this record that he was born in the Townland of Carnreagh Co. Down.In the Kilwarlin Estate Rental there is listed Joseph Beattie ( James father?) farming Lot 17. Prior to 1824 Lot 17 was farmed by Joseph McCluskey. Joseph Beattie and his wife Mary farmed Lot 17 from 1824 until 1845 when Mary become the tennant. In the 1863 Griffiths Valuation there is no Beattie recorded. James Beattie left Ireland for the California gold fields then went to Ballarat, Australia gold fields, and then came to Dunedin New Zealand. James married Margaret Ann Whiteside in1863 in Dunedin New Zealand. There may be some earlier connection between Margaret Whitesides mothers family and the Beattie family. Margaret Whitesides mothers maiden name was Eliza Elizabeth Clyde, her fathers name was David Clyde and Davids wifes maiden name was Margaret Beattie. The Clydes may have lived in Maycraig, Stranown, Co. Antrim although Margaret Ann Beattie nee Whiteside states in the birth record of her daughter Fanny (mentioned above), that she come from Coleraine Co. Derry. I would appreciate any help I can to get more information on James Beattie of the Townland of Carnreagh in the Kilwarlin Estate and his family.
Ray Hellyer
Saturday 5th Oct 2019, 07:48AMMessage Board Replies
-
Carnreagh wasn’t very big with just 27 properties in it in Griffiths Valuation. There was just the one Beatty farm there in the tithes in 1834 so I’d say it’s a reasonable assumption that Joseph and Mary are connected to your ancestor James. Mary appearing as tenant post 1845 suggests Joseph had died by that year. You might be able to confirm that if he has a gravestone or from a burial record if Church of Ireland, but most other denominations didn’t keep burial records and statutory registration of deaths didn’t start till 1864.
Tithes:
http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/antrim/tithe-applotments/blaris-parish.php
You could search local church records looking for James baptism in the 1820s. You haven’t said what denomination he was. If Church of Ireland, then the parish church is in Lisburn and their records go back to 1637. If Presbyterian (and the surname does suggest Scots origins) then the nearest churches would seem to be Annahilt (records from 1780) and Hillsborough (records only start in 1833). Copies of those records are held in PRONI in Belfast. A personal visit is required to view them.
Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net
Apart from that there probably aren’t many other records from that period that still exist which you can search. (You have evidently already seen the estate records).
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Saturday 5th Oct 2019, 08:25AM -
Elwyn, Thankyou for your advice. We plan to visit PRONI when we return to Ireland next year so we'll check the church records then. James Beattie was a protestant so it stands to reason that Joseph was too. I also plan to visit Representative Church Body Library in Dublin too.
Ray Hellyer
Monday 7th Oct 2019, 07:37AM -
The RCB library tends to have mainly Church of Ireland records for the Republic of Ireland. Those in Northern Ireland tend either still to be with the church or PRONI. In the case of Lisburn (Blaris parish) the originals are with the church and PRONI has a copy. The RCB library doesn’t have a copy. You can view the originals in the church (by appointment) but expect to pay a fee. I think it’s £12 an hour. The copy in PRONI is free to view and you don’t need an appointment.
Take photo id for your first visit to PRONI to get your reader’s ticket. (Take just a couple of minutes.)
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Monday 7th Oct 2019, 01:00PM -
Hi Ray
James Beattie was my GG greatfather,
I would be interested in your family tree research
Michelle Dean
Michelle
Sunday 22nd Mar 2020, 01:13AM -
Michelle, I’ve sent a response to your email address. All I know was that James was the son of Joseph and Mary Beattie of Lot 17 of the Townland of Carnreagh, County Down. James left Ireland for the gold rush in California. From there he went to Australia for the gold there. He came to New Zealand on the ship Atrato, married Margaret Whiteside, and bought some land and farmed on the Otago Peninsula. I’m willing to answer any questions if I can.
Ray Hellyer
user_157025
Sunday 29th Mar 2020, 07:46AM -
Hi Ray
I am also a direct descendant of James Beattie and for many years I have been trying to find out more about him preceding his arrival in NZ. Did you by any chance have any luck when you visited Ireland?
Sue White
Sue
Wednesday 18th Oct 2023, 07:51AM