Alexander Gilston b1811 Belfast?

[carrie-bob]

Hello

I know this is a huge long shot as I have very little information to go on, but I am looking to trace Alexander Gilston. He married Ann Curren 16 Jan 1831 in Glasgow.

The 1841 and 1861 census state his birthplace as Ireland. My mum thinks it is either Belfast or Downpatrick, Co Down. It is all a huge mystery. We don't know where to start looking. We also don't have a clue to his religion.

Does this mean we have hit a dead end?

Thanks in advance, Carrie 

[iluleah]

http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/f/o/w/Steven-Fowler-Yorks/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0801.html

[carrie-bob]

Thank you, will give that a look 

[BallyaltikilliganG]

quick scattergun approach to start your quest

Gilston in Co Down almost unheard of, but Gelston has about 50 entries in http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/G/Ge.htm

back into Belfast using street directories
http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/1819_Alphanames.htm
from

Gelston, John, cabinet maker, 6 Mitchell's Entry
Gelston, Elizabeth, leather cap maker, Chichester Street
Gelston, Samuel, cabinet maker, 41 Waring Street


Public Record Office for Northern Ireland ecatalogue
Letter from Sam Boyce to [his sister,] Mary
Dates :   2 July 1830
Description :   Letter from Sam Boyce to [his sister,] Mary Gelston, 54 Tomb Street, Belfast describing his progress as a buyer and seller of linen and referring to Mary's inclination to change her religion.Copy of will and probate of William Gelston, merchant of St George's Street, Belfast. 1864

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland
PRONI Reference :   D46/1Index to Report of Belfast Special Constables of Nightly Watch transactions, Vol. 1: pages 1-580 (27 November 1812), Vol. 2: pages 581-653 (16 May-21 October 1816).
Gelston, Henry - Page 487, 573, 637,

Public Record Office for Northern Ireland
PRONI Reference :   D556/17 Title :   Lease for five lives or 41 years £23.15s.
Dates :   29 December 1787
Description :   Lease for five lives or 41 years £23.15s. of Tullycarnet, Parish of Knockbreda, Co. Down; a map attached shows portion of the land: North of Belfast Comber Road, adjoining on west is land of Hugh Montgomery, Esq.; on east land of Robert Gelston and on the north 'Ballycloghan' from Charles Ranken Esq., Captain in the Service of the East India Company to William Gelston of the Knock, Parish of Knock Breda, Co. Down, farmer - Witnesses: Robert O. Black and Henry Joy.

there maybe/are further entries in these starting websites
hoping others join in

[carrie-bob]

thank you for that, it certainly has given me somewhere to start and lots to think about 

[BallyaltikilliganG]

another background recordfor you from
Tithes Applotment Books 1823-1837 based upon the index work of the Irish Genealogy Hub.   The relevant original books are in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) Belfast
Gelstain, Patt.-Townland: Artana Year: 1828-Loughinisland -Down-
Gelston, Alexander-Townland: Ballykeel Year: 1835-Comber-Down-
Gelston, Patrk.-Townland: Ballylucas Year: 1833-Rathmullan-Down-
Gelston, Robert-Townland: Ballykeel Year: 1835-Comber-Down-
Gelston, Robt.-Townland: Whitechurch Year: 1834-Ballywalter-Down-
Gelston, Thos.-Townland: Ballyphilip Year: 1827-Ballyphilip-Down-
Gelston, Thos.-Townland: Portaferry Gardens Year: 1827-Ballyphilip-Down-
Gelston, William-Townland: Ballykeel Year: 1835-Comber-Down-
Gillstones, William-Townland: Lessize Year: 1827-Drumballyroney-Down-
Gilstane, Anthony-Townland: Clanrolla Year: 1833-Shankill-Armagh
Gilstane, Anthony-Townland: Clanrolla Year: 1833-Shankill-Down-
Gilstane, Anthony-Townland: Liscorran Year: 1833-Shankill-Armagh
Gilstane, Anthony-Townland: Liscorran Year: 1833-Shankill-Down-
Gilstane, Henry-- Townland: Kinnago Year: 1834-Seagoe-Armagh
Gilstane, Henry-Townland: Clanrolla Year: 1833-Shankill-Armagh
Gilstane, Henry-Townland: Clanrolla Year: 1833-Shankill-Down-
Gilstanes, Widow Townland: North Ballymacarn Year: 1834-Magheradrool -Down-
to get an idea of whats in the simple one line entry look up http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

however the entries for Shankill Co Down which would be to some would mean Belfast south of the river Lagan are not correct, they are the townland of Clanrolla divided between  Co Armagh & Co Down Armagh   

another conclusion might be the family moved into Belfast from Armagh or Co Down

however many more records exist see
https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-records/birth-and-baptism-records-county-antrim-and-county-down/?search1=&search2=gelston&condition=begins&submit=Search
and
https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-records/marriage-records-co-antrim-co-down/?search1=&search2=gelston&condition=begins&submit=Search
and
https://www.ancestryireland.com/family-records/death-burial-records-county-antrim-down/?search1=&search2=gelston&condition=begins&submit=Search


its church records being the key if they exist

Good luck onwards

[eileenwilson]

1851 Census indexed as Gibstone says Alexander born in Downpatrick.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPMK-15X

[gaffy]

The 1851 census document does clearly say 'Down Patrick', however the 1861 census document clearly says 'Belfast'.

If really Downpatrick, the following is a possibility, a baptism in Loughinisland RC parish on 8 March 1806 for Alex Gilstain, father Patk, Sponsors Wm. Kennedy & Mary Magean (left page, 2nd line down from top):

http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633236#page/6/mode/1up

There are baptisms for Mary Gilstain in 1808 and Rose Gilstain in 1811 for the same parish and same father's name. Also in the same parish is the following death of a Patk Gilstain on 13 September 1816, together with a comment about helping his widow? (I can't make it out - left page, 4th line down from top):

http://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633236#page/125/mode/1up

[carrie-bob]

  thank you all so much, you have all been really helpful xx you have given me hope that I can solve my little mystery xx it will certainly keep me busy for a long time xx my mum is coming round tomorrow xx I look forward to sharing your help with her xx thanks again