Hi Betty
My Elder family is from Northern Ireland as well. The names of John, Thomas, Annie, Martha, and Robert, come up on a regular basis.
My great-great grandparents were John Elder and Margaret Stewart. They were married in 1842 in Ballymena, Antrim. The children I have found so far are John, Robert, Joseph, Isaac ,Thomas and Annie. (Thomas was my great-grandfather).
Annie married Henry Smyth, in 1882, and one of the witnesses was a "Martha Elder". I believe Martha to be Annie's sister, but have never found any proof of this so far. (Therefore, I don't list her as one of John and Margaret's children).
Wheww - now to get to my point...
I know they travelled to Scotland, where some of my family settled, as well as the U.S., Canada, and Australia. I also believe that they travelled within Northern Ireland. I have long had the belief, that quite a few of the Elder's in Northern Ireland are related, as they seem to use the same names over and over. Also, the farm where my family lived in the Ballymena area, was given the name of Burnfoot. I have come across other Elder's, whose family came from "Burnfoot, Donegal". I keep in touch with them, just in case we can make a connection.
I am going through information that I have gathered over the years, to see if I can find anything that might connect to you. I know that I have seen the names of John Elder and Annie Rodden on many of my searches. I will check to see if I have anything that may help you.
I do know that I have a spare certificate from Milton, Glasgow, that shows a 1902 birth of a Thomas Elder whose parents were William White Roden Elder, and Margaret Beveridge McTaggart. (I have no idea if they could be related to you, but wanted to let you know that if you want a copy, just send me a "personal message", with your email and I will forward that on to you.
Janice