FOSTER MCKNIGHT GILSTON surnames

[annandale]

I'm trying to find out more about my ancestors above. I know very little except they are on the Scottish census as being from Ireland.
An educated guess would suggest they possibly came from Shankill but its only a guess!
James McKnight married Agnes Foster(b.c1807?)
I have found 5 children all b. in Ireland, living in Girvan in 1851. No sign of James...
Agnes appears to have remarried and now has the surname Gilston.
I have found all but one of their children since still living in Scotland, but no further certificated info on Agnes, James or any Gilston relatives
Can anyone help?
Regards Suzanne

[Christopher]

Hello Suzanne,

Welcome to RootsChat.

There are three items you require when searching for Irish ancestors.

1. Denomination.
2. Parish
3. Townland.

You'll have to rely on Church records as civil registration in Ireland was not introduced until 1864. Non Catholic marriages were registered from 1845 onwards. When registration for BDMS started in 1864 some people didn't bother with the registration for a few years after that date. Keep your fingers crossed that church records still exist.

Christopher

[annandale]

Thanks Christopher,
I know that Irish research is difficult, but I'm hoping there is a relative out there that can shed light on this part of my family history.
No one in the family can shed light on any of the 3  required items with any certainty, so I'll just have to wait and see!
Regards Suzanne

[Christopher]

Hello Suzanne,

Gilston - Griffiths Valuation - Antrim 1861-62
Samuel, Cromac Townparks, Montgomery Street, Shankill 
Samuel, Cromac Townparks, Montgomery Street, Shankill 

There's a lengthy list of Foster and McKnight families.

Have a look at John Hayes failteromhat.com website

Christopher

[annandale]

Just been on the site you mentioned..a lot of Foster/Mcknight names as you said!
They don't mean much now, but as I've found out in other research...all could become clearer later!
Many thanks again for your help
Regards Suzanne

[john gelston]

My quite extensive research into the Gelston name in Ireland demonstrates the almost total absence of the name Gilston. The occassional reference to that name is generally a mis-transcription of Gelston.
For some obscure reason, nearly all Gelston migrants from Ireland to Scotland or England appear in the records as Gilston.
Thereare two distinct groups of Gelstons in Ireland: 1) Presbyterian, in north County Down (east Belfast), well documented by me 2) Catholic, Downpatrick/Ballynahinch area, very few records before 1800.
If you can provide some information about your Gilston/ Gelston ancestors I may be able to help.
John Gelston

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