COMBER Birth of Hugh Kirk (abt) 1826

[uciam]

Hugh Kirk believed to be son of John Kirk and Isabella Jackson(?) on his later records had recorded his birth year 1826 in Comber.  I have looked high and low in and around Comber but can not find any Kirks in that time period.  Does anyone have information?

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   I have a record of an Old Age Pension application which records a Kirk family in 1841.
James Kirk, Head of house
Agnes         Wife
Hugh, age 14
John age 12
Robert age 10
Sarah Jane age 8
Elizabeth age 7
Isabella age 3
      They lived in Clabber Row, Newtownards about 5 miles from Cumber.

Regards

[uciam]

That is very interesting, thank you.  The Hugh Kirk I'm looking for had his parents shown as John and Isabella  on his marriage certificate. There was a John Kirk who was exported to Australia  as a convict from Co Down about 1822 ( 4 years prior to Hugh's approx birth year).  So it appears there were a couple of Kirk families around Comber area, but the absence of Kirks from readily available sources means the so far discovered links are a bit inconclusive at the moment so any information will be helpful to build up a picture of the period.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   For general information of Kirk families in Co. Down, including Comber, see http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/Afrontpage.htm

Regards

[uciam]

Excellent resource thank you very much.  I will spend some time going through this.

[BallyaltikilliganG]

Apart from Kingskerswell valuable contributions I would add what you probably know in 1863 from www.askaboutireland.com then griffiths valuation
Kirk Jane High Street,Comber she is leasing a modest house with no land
Kirk James Tullygarvan Comber he is leasing a modest house with no land

Your only hope may be Comber church records eg http://www.proni.gov.uk/guide_to_church_records.pdf then as you see the Church of Ireland has early records the remainder start about your date or more recent.
The Presbyterian churches are helpful on direct enquiries in this area

An earlier source the Tithes applotment records 1823-1837 for the parish are only available at the PRONI, Belfast and not on line. 

You could email Comber Historical Society http://www.comberhistory.com and ask for help. On their website is my compilation a Comber historical directory which wont help you for Kirk’s but might help once you are into known addresses and maps
Good luck JimG

[uciam]

Thank you JimG.