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Mitchell Smyth Rankin is my 3 times great grandfather, born c.1850 in Garvagh, died 1934 in the town. I am guessing he was named after the Church of Ireland minister of the time, Rev Mitchell Smyth in Garvagh, I think that was common enough then.  He married Ellen Farlow from Leck in 1882. The name Mitchell has been passed onto each generation since.

Mitchell and Ellen had 3 children, Mitchell junior, Ellen Jane and Margaret Ann. The former two were born in Garvagh according to birth certs, the latter was born in Killaloo, Claudy in Co. Londonderry. Mitchell (father) was listed as a servant on this cert in 1886. In 1901 he was living in Glenmanus in Portrush, working as a coachman for John Beresford Beresford. In 1911 he owned his own farm in Moneysallin between Lislea and Killygullib. He bought it in 1906. His Father Leslie died in 1904.

Was Mitchell just moving to wherever he could make money and save enough to eventually purchase his own farm? Strange to move between Garvagh, Claudy and Portrush? His father maybe left him some money to aid in buying it. I know his son Mitchell Junior had enough to buy a large farm on the Tirkeeran road in the 1920's.

Side note, if anyone has any accounts of Mitchell Smyth Rankin Junior (1892-1987) or his son Mitchell (1926-1997) that would be great. Both spent their whole lives in Garvagh. I need to visit the museum in the town soon. Or recommend some local history books.

Best

I've tried to find out if Leslie Rankin had any brothers or sisters, I assume he had. His death certificate says died aged 97 in 1904 in Garvagh, but other source (below) suggests maybe born in 1826.

Lord Garvagh's Leases-

1st December 1805.  George Bell and James Rankin.
Lease of a Double tenement for 31 years or three lives.  George Bell Gortfad and James Rankin Garvagh, double tenement on the Bleach-green in Garvagh next to that held by David Millar, fifty feet in front with a passage of seven and a half feet and extending to the river the same breadth.  Said double or two tenements to be built and slated the same height as M’Gettigan’s.  Lives of Anne Rankin daughter of James aged one year, James Bell 18 years and Samuel Bell aged 2 years sons of George Bell.

1st December 1815.  James Rankin of Garvagh, Carpenter.  The two tenements on the Bleach-green in Garvagh adjoining James McFall’s tenement containing fifty feet in front with a sufficient passage for a gateway to accommodate the said two tenements, bounded on the north by that part of the Bleach-green that is yet unset, on the south by the River Errigal, on the east by James McFall’s Tenement and on the west by the street of Garvagh, said tenement to be slated and finished similar to the other tenements already built on the said Bleach-green.

Not sure if this one connected-
1st January 1807. John M’Wade senior to John M’Wade jun. lease of one half of a tenement.  Life of James Rankin the elder of Garvagh, Blacksmith.

8th December 1827.  Isaac May, Shoemaker, Garvagh.  Tenement containing twenty five feet seven inches in front and running back two hundred and ten feet seven inches, bounded on one side by the tenement occupied by James Rankin and on the other side by the tenement now unoccupied which adjoins the school house.  In the front by the street of Garvagh and in the rear by the boundary as now laid off by Daniel Kane, being as far back as the wall built to enclose the school house tenement and measuring from front to rear two hundred and ten feet seven inches.  Lives of Charles Rankin son to Hugh Rankin of Liscall, aged 5 years, George Rankin aged 3 years and Leslie Rankin aged 1 year sons of James Rankin carpenter of Garvagh.  Lease for 31 years.  NOTE: Now William McMaster.

The James Rankin who was listed as Carpenter in Garvagh in 1815 is Leslie's father. What's interesting is he lived on the bleach green according to the above from the lease records, which I've heard was located near ballynameen in Garvagh. I know Rankin's owned a bleach green there in partnership with the Ogilby family.

Afternoon, Just hoping there would be a chance, albeit a slim one of someone being able to provide additional information to this topic?

Many thanks

 

I'm just giving this thread another chance to be seen by others. If anyone has other information relating to this family, then feel free to post 

I have one topic about James already on this site (see link below) https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=805251.msg6736247#msg6736247

I was just wondering if any more light can be shed on James Rankin. The only things I know for certain about him were that he was a Carpenter/Architect and he had a son called Leslie Rankin born around 1807 (death cert says he died aged 97 in 1904). Another source provided by user 'Aghadowey' suggests he could have been born in 1826).

There was more than one James Rankin. If you look at all the leases-

1st December 1805...  George Bell Gortfad and James Rankin Garvagh ...  Lives of Anne Rankin daughter of James aged one year …

James Rankin
1. Annie Rankin (c1804)

8th December 1827.  ...  Lives of Charles Rankin son to Hugh Rankin of Liscall, aged 5 years, George Rankin aged 3 years and Leslie Rankin aged 1 year sons of James Rankin carpenter of Garvagh. 

Hugh Rankin, Liscall
1. Charles Rankin (c1822)

James Rankin, carpenter, Garvagh
1. George Rankin (c1824)
2. Leslie Rankin (c1826)

I can find no record of James Rankin's death, so I know he died before 1864. I would guess he was born in the latter part of the 18th century. It would be good to know who he was married to and if he had other children or brothers or sisters, and maybe who his parents were (long shot). Any help would be much appreciated