why move to Ireland?

[hidecote]

My maternal side of the family is Menzies, I've traced Samuel back to being born in County tyrone around 1772 (familysearch) I'm stuck now.  I realise I now need to look more closely at the history, which is very absorbing, to find out just what my ancestors lives were like.  Does anyone know was there a reason why people would particularly move to Ireland in the early middle 18th century or even before. All I can think of is the weaving industry, Samuel was a tailor and his family down were weavers and the like.  But why move to ireland when the industry was, I think thriving here? I should say that Samuel's family though born in Ireland moved to Paisley area  possible due to potato famine and were married, had kids etc etc.  Samuel's wife was Agnes Graham also born in Ireland, just in case that rings any bells. Thanks for reading this,

[joette]

Also less than the proudest moment in British history when the Protestant Scots & the English were sent to outnumber,convert the Catholic natives.These were know as Plantation Scots.
Also remember there was always great movement acroos the water between Scotland & Ireland.I have heard tell of Covenanter ancestors rowing across to Ireland to worship as they choose.
Also close ties with the fishing industry.I suppose like today people went where there was work & family/friends.

[hidecote]

Thanks for that reply, yes I realise I've had it easy searching back 4 and in 2 cases 5 generations on both sides of  my family.  I now see that bdm info is only the start.  I've got some real detective work to do now. What i did find this week was www.nls.uk that's the national library where I found very interesting maps of paisley which have started to give a real picture of  where my ancestors lived and worked.  Thanks again, hidcote.

[JustinL]

I'm just a bit confused. What makes you think that the family moved to Ireland? And from where?

Significant numbers of Irish immigrants starting coming to Paisley in the early years of the 19th century, long before the Great Famine.

The plantation of protestants into Ulster took place considerably earlier to my knowledge, i.e. early 17th century.

Justin

[hidecote]

hi, well Menzies is a Scottish name,  primarily from Perthshire.  I did assume that I was Irish stock and then realised last week, no ,at some time in my family history we ,moved to ireland for some reason.  So i assume that it is known that Menzies is a Scottish name.  The partner of the Menzies in the 1890's is possible Irvine i say possible because she signed X her mark which of course you'll know may not mean she is illiterate but would not embarrass her husband if he was. so the spelling may not be right which is why I've come to a stop with Mary Irvine.  By the way we ended up in Paisley as weavers, threadmill workers,  etc

[JustinL]

Hello J,

I take your point; Menzies is pretty Scottish. In fact the major census substitute for Ireland, Griifith's Primary Valuation, which  was prepared in the mid-19th century, records only 5 Menzies families on the whole island.

My Walker ancestors were also in Paisley's shawl manufacturing industry in  the early 19th century.

Have you found any descendents in the 1841 census of Paisley? Do you have any marriage records? If we can identify the name of the minister, I can probably determine the denomination and the church.

I'm away for the weekend, so I might not be able to reply until next week.

Justin

[hidecote]

thanks, Justin,  Ihave a marriage of my great great Uncle Samuel marrying in the high church  1841 to susan Orr  (who was born in ieland as i believe were her parents) and my g, g, grandfather marrying 1850 high church to ann Houston, he was reported missing in 1871and  found drowned in the cart near niddry street 3 days later age 44 leaving 4 kids, you forget tragedy struck like that as it does today. Anyway I've got that far it's just whether His father though born in Ireland I can't trace anything further back than his possible marriage to Agnes graham in abt 1816 Ireland.  thanks for your interest and enjoy you weekend away.

[murray61]

The Renfrewshire Poor Law records held by the Glasgow City Archives in the Mitchell Library may mention your family.

See http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Libraries/Collections/Localhistory/CityCouncilArchives/poorlawarchives.htm

If so, you may find a lot recorded about them and their lives.

[hidecote]

hi, thanks for your info, yes I'll try and get there some time.  Cheers.