Latest info obtained. You will need to read this more than once!
My grandmother's father was William McCaldridge on his marriage to her mother Eliza Taggart 1896, in Ballymoney Registry Office - William thereafter became known as McFadden, his mother's maiden name, having been born Alexander, 1875.
Grandmother as far as I know died without knowing the family name was Alexander, McCaldridge - or M'Aldridge, or McAldridge, all variants used. She certainly married as McFadden in 1918. Census 1901 and 1911 show the family as McFadden, Drumnafivey, Ballymoney.
Her husband's parents Mary Ann McFadden and William Alexander married 1874 in Bushvale Presbyterian, and he may having been cited as the father of Jane McFadden, born 1869 to Nancy Jane also McFadden of Drumtullagh, near Moss-side. This William lived at Carnkirn and was surnamed McCaldrige.
William married 1874 was son of Thomas Alexander Mullaghduff, Ballymoney (a few hundred yards from Carnkirn) and Mary Ann McFadden of Knockanavery, Ballymoney daughter of John McFadden. You will see that the names Alexander or McCaldridge variants were used indiscriminately as far back as this.
I feel that there was a particular reason for avoiding the name of McCaldridge, after 1870s and in those days when communication was poor, it seems that these name changes spread unusually fast.
To make the name less Irish as another contributor suggests they would just have dropped the Mc part. Any info re this appreciated.
Best wishes to anyone trying to unravel these mysteries!
