Smyths of Londonderry (Coleraine area)

[trsmyth1]

Alexander Smyth (full age) married Jane Downes in 1873.  Therefore, he was born no later than 1852.

I have been told that in the 1901 Census he is shown as age 55, living with Jane and his brother John (aged 58).  This suggests Alexander was born c. 1846 and his brother John was born c. 1843.

Therefore, William (father of John and Alexander) must have been born 1822 or earlier.

It seems I need to find a birth record of John and/or Alexander to find their mother’s name so I can search for record of marriage of William and X.

The Smyths seem to have come from Macosquin area and the Englishtown Presbyterian Church would seem to be promising, but its record are not on-line.

Could anyone please help by offering advice or perhaps a short search?

With thanks,
Thomas
Canberra
Australia

[aghadowey]

Macosquin Presbyterian Church baptisms:
20 Oct.1873 William son of Alexander Smith Killeague + Jane Downs born14 Aug.1873
17 Apr.1876 Margaret (dau. of Alexander Smith + Jane Downs) born16 Jan.1876
21 Apr.1879 Thomas (same parents) born 25 Nov.1878
28 Nov.1881 Matthew (same father, mother listed as Jane Smith) born 26 Apr.1881
22 Oct.1883 John (son of Alexander Smith + Jane Downs) born 21 June 1883
8 Nov.1886 David (son of Alec. Smith + Jane Downs) born 9 Feb.1886
6 Nov.1893 Alexander (son of Alexander Smith + Jane Downs) born 16 Aug.1893
18 May 1896 Joseph (son of Alx. Smith + Jane) born 30 Apr.1896

No earlier baptisms for an Alexander Smith.

P.S. Macosquin Presbyterian Church is known locally as Englishtown Presbyterian Church.

[trsmyth1]

Thank you very much aghadowey.

It would seem that Alexander b. c. 1846 was not baptized at Englishtown Church.

I think Alexander’s brother John was born c. 1843.

I believe both Alexander and John were living at Macleary in 1901.

Griffith shows a William Smyth at Macleary and another William Smyth at Camus.

Perhaps the William at Macleary was father to John and Alexander.

Have you any idea where I might find a birth record for John and/or Alexander Smyth?

Thomas
Canberra
Australia

[aghadowey]

1901 census- Macleary (all Presbyterian + born Co.Derry):
Alexander Smyth age 55, agricultural labourer
wife Jane age 57
brother John age 58, labourer agricultural
son John ahe 20, labourer on farm
dau. Rachel age 17, attending school
son Alexander age 14, at school
son Joseph age 5, at school

The surname Smyth is very common in this area and it's hard to say who the father of Alexander and John was. Any reason for thinking he was William? there are quite a few William Smyths in the area so you can't really assume which one he was. Unfortunately labourers tended to move about quite a bit and the family could have been from outside the Macosquin area originally. Another problem is that they were very unlikely to have placed notices in the local paper at an early date.

As far as the records for Macosquin Presbyterian Church go there is a big gap in the records 1840s/50s but not sure what years are actually missing.

Since civil registration of births started in 1864 there will be no birth certificates for John and Alexander so the only record of their births would be church records (if they exist).

I can tell you that Alexander Smyth married 1873 in County Derry Jane Downes.

[trsmyth1]

Thank you again, aghadowey.

The marriage record for Alexander Smyth and Jane Downes in 1873 shows Alexander's father as William Smyth, occupation weaver, and Jane's father as Thomas Downes, occupation labourer.

Thanks again,

Thomas

[aghadowey]

Is the marriage also in Macosquin Presbyterian? (I have the baptisms but not the marriages for it).
This is probably the William Smyth of Camus in Griffith's Valuation that you mentioned earlier:
William Smyth (c1798-1874), Camus, m.Mary Campbell (c1815?-1885).
1.  Eliza Smyth (c1827)- not sure if mother's birthdate is wrong or if William was married more than once.

Would you like the other Smyth baptisms in Macosquin Presbyterian just in case they are somehow connected?

[trsmyth1]

Thanks again, aghadowey.

William Smyth and Jane Downes were married in the Coleraine Registrars Office on 26 May 1873.  Witnesses were Thomas Downes (presumably son of Thomas , father of bride) and Sarah McAlister.

Residence at time of marriage for Alexander is shown as Drumcroon, and for Jane it was Ballyclough.

Apart from the William Smyth at Camus, I think Griffith shows another William Smyth at Macleary.  I had thought that because Alexander and Jane were living at Macleary with his brother John in 1901, the William of Macleary might possibly be Alexander and John's father.  Although William was possibly deceased in 1901 and so not in census records.