Born Ireland - where do I start my search .....

[Kathy]

Hi Trish,

Sorry to hear you are not too well, I hope things improve very soon.

I've never used a professional genealologist, therefore I cant recommend one, but I think from memory, there is a link for professional Australian assistance on that website.

Its only a suggestion, but have you given any though to the possibility you ancestors left for Australia from a port in Aberdeen, and that there may be some lists available through the Aberdeen Library, perhaps email them to ask at speclib@abdn.ac.uk there is also a website www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/historic/

If Aberdeen was not a sailing point, they may be able to direct you to the most probable port for departure.

Kathy

[gc1660]

As far as the Graham's in Ireland are concerned, there was Grahamstown which is Glenwherry were a large contingent of the Graham's in Ireland lived. This is in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.

I found our Graham's branch back there but records before 1855 are scarce in Norhtern Ireland ... even after that period they are sometimes scarce as lots of records got burned!

Good luck!

[SarahND]

Hello gc1660 and
Although you replied to an old post, I see that Kathy is still logging on regularly, so I hope she will see your information about Grahams. Thanks for sharing your helpful information.

If you have any brick walls to ask about, don't hesitate! We all love a challenge.

All the best,
Sarah

[Kathy]

Yes, I'm still here, TS is one of my preferred sites, although I don't post too often, I do like to check the posts.

I have made very little progress since my original post with anything beyond Edward McNeil & Martha Graham, from Martha's death entry, her parents were John Graham & Ann Campbell, and that Martha was possibly born Antrim.

A lot more progress has been made on their children, I have researched each one in turn, hoping that it will lead me back to a positive link in Ireland.

William McNeil 1847c Derry, Ireland - 1907 Greenock, Scotland - never married
Alexander McNeil 1852c Ireland - 1912 Greenock --- Spouse Agnes Craig
Thomas McNeil 1853c Ireland - 1917 Greenock --- Spouse Elizabeth Sands
Martha Jane McNeil 1853c Ireland - 1913 Morningside, Edinburgh --- spouse James Brown Smith
Mary Ann McNeil - 1857c Derry, Ireland - 1939 Greenock --- married 3 times - John Glasgow, Samuel Christie, John Lee.

After 1901 the name spelling is most often found as McNeill.

Thanks gc1660 for the new lead, I will let you know if I turn up anything.

Kathy