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Seeking help surmounting a proverbial brick wall. My great grandfather, Joseph Junkin was born in County Antrim, Ireland, United Kingdom on 12 May 1863. Arrived in the U.S. in 1882. Died in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania on 12 June 1940. From his death certificate, I have his parents' names, James Junkin and Margaret Ballantine. I have found a Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) record showing a James Junkin in Ardnaglass, Grange of Ballyscullion, Antrim. On the same record a Mary Junkin is shown residing next to a Robert Ballantine. I assume Mary to be a daughter and sibling of my great grandfather, and Robert Ballantine perhaps her grandfather, his father in law.

So, I believe I am onto something. Lastly, from a parish historian in nearby County Derry, I was provided a record of a gravestone inscription that reads …

ERECTED BY MARGRET JUNKIN, U.S.A. IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER JAMES JUNKIN, DIED 2ND FEB. 1872, AGED 49 YEARS. AND HER MOTHER MARGARET, DIED 3RD DEC. 1886, AGED 76 YEARS. ALSO HER SISTER MARY, DIED 27TH DEC. 1932, AGED 76 YEARS.

… Unfortunately, the parish historian could net tell me where this gravestone was found. My great great aunt Margaret came to the U.S around the turn of the century to help my widowed great grandfather raise his four children and four orphaned nephews. So, I am confident the gravestone refers to my family.

In terms of other documents, I do have a civil death record for a James Junken, recording his death in 1872 in the Ballymena recording district.

If you have read this far, thank you. My request is for any assistance furthering my record of the Junkin family lineage in County Antrim and earlier. Thank you!