Looking for information on the Forsythes of Lislap East, Cappagh Parish

Kathleen,

The Griffiths records show James and Cunningham Forsythe jointly farming plot 6 which were 2 farmhouses, outbuildings and just under 42 acres of land in Lislap East. That would generally suggest two brothers, or certainly 2 people who were closely related.

James Forsythe (6a) is replaced by a Cunningham Forsythe in 1877 or 1878 at which time there is a pencil written note saying ?new Ho? ie house. The portion occupied by Cunningham Forsythe (6b) was replaced by Joseph Forsythe in 1871. (So I think there were 2 Cunningham Forsythes and each portion had passed from father to son). Cunningham Forsythe on portion 6a was replaced by John Forsythe in 1901, suggesting again that his father had died. John was replaced by Matilda in 1915, suggesting another death. Her name remains there till 1929 when the records cease. Joseph Forsyth was replaced by a William Cunningham in 1922 (Cunningham confusingly being the surname). That name is still in place in 1922.

There are later records of who occupied the land that run up to the 1960s. These are held in PRONI in the VAL3 series, but are not on-line. A personal visit is required to access them.

John, Joseph, Matilda & Liza Forsythe all signed the Ulster Covenant in 1912. If you want to see their signatures, follow this link:

http://applications.proni.gov.uk/UlsterCovenant/SearchResults.aspx

If you are unfamiliar with the Ulster Covenant, it was a petition to the government, opposing Home Rule in Ireland, and in effect stating a willingness to fight to remain part of the United Kingdom. Half a million people signed it, and it was a factor in the Government?s decision to partition Ireland and leave 6 counties in the UK. So it tells you a little about your families political views at that time. It also sometimes tells you who their friends may have been as adjacent signatures may well be of people they went to vote with.

The farm in Magheracoltan was plots 24 & 25 which were a farmhouse, outbuildings and a total of about 57 acres. It remained in James Forsythe?s name till sometime between 1864 and 1874 when it transferred to Andrew Forsythe. Then in 1878 it reverted to the Duke of Abercorn. That looks to be to be a separate Forsythe household, rather than more land held by the James from Lislap. If it were additional land, he would have sublet the farmhouse. That ha snot happened and so I am pretty sure it?s another family.

The Forsythes were evidently Presbyterian and so it would be worth checking church records for baptism etc. Gortin Presbyterian chruch?s records start in 1843. I don?t think they are on-line and you would need to look them up in PRONI where there is a copy which goes to 1985 for baptisms and 1935 for marriages.

I see a second McElrea family farming in Dunmullan. You would expect them to be related. Samuel might be Robert?s brother.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tyrone/Mountjoy_Forest_East/Dunmullan/1746132/

This probate abstract (summary), for Margaret?s widowed daughter-in-law is on the PRONI website. The full will should be held in PRONI.

Full Abstract :

Probate of the Will of Rosabel M'Elrea late of Dunmullan County Tyrone Widow who died 1 November 1903 granted at Londonderry to The Reverend gerald J.K. Moriarty Rector and Robert J. Creery Clerk             Effects ?138

The Revaluation records show the 2 McElrea families jointly farming plot 15 which were 2 farmhouses, outbuildings and just under 38 acres of land, in Dunmullan. Robert?s name was replaced by his son Wm James in 1902 (though he had evidently died a year or two earlier). William James seems to have dispose of his share of the farm in 1924. Samuel McElrea was replaced by Andrew in 1918, then he disposed of his portion of the farm in 1928. Neither portion of the farm was in McElroy names after that.

http://applications.proni.gov.uk/dcal_proni_val12b/ImageResult.aspx

Going back to 1860, the two portions were occupied by Walter & Samuel McElroy respectively. And at that time it comprised just over 41 acres. Walter?s name is replaced by Robert in 1875.

The tithe applotment records would tell you whether the farms were in Forsythe and McElroy hands in the 1820s/30s. The records for Dunmullan are not on-line and you need to look them up in PRONI.

Eliza, Margaret and Hannah McElrea also signed the Ulster Covenant and you can see their signatures there too.

The McElrea?s were evidently Church of Ireland so you can research those records in PRONI too. (They are not on-line anywhere as far as I am aware).

Elwyn

Thanks so much for all this information, Elwyn! I have most of the McElrea information (BTW, there as also a Cunningham McElrea), but what you have given me on the Forsythes makes it a little easier to put the family in the proper order. It would be nice to know where the Cunningham name came into the family. I hope to return to Ireland specifically to research, rather than the quick visit made some years ago. 

Kathleen