family research

[aghadowey]

Presbyterians had to pay tithes to the Established (State) Church (also known as Church of Ireland) and were entitled to burial in the C. of I. graveyard.
Many Presbyterian churches didn't have their own burying-ground until years after the congregation was founded (many in towns and cities never had their own ground) so it was quite common for families to continue burying in the same old family plots.

Not sure about Finvoy minister since dates aren't given. I do have a headstone survey for the Presbyterian Church there but can't remember date of earliest burial listed.

[iluleah]

The records will be at PRONI however PRONI is moving/moved to the Titanic Quarter into a newly built place ( March 2011) they have Drumbo Presbyterian Co Down D.2453/291;  D.1759/1D/1 B: 1699-1723, 1764-73, 1781-92, 1802 and 1827-1980; M: 1706-21, 1772, 1782-83, 1786-91 and 1845-1921  CR/3/54 Printed history of the conbregation from early 17th century -1991

I don't like to use familysearch and the IGI in isolation as I have found too many errors/guesses in their 'collections', however just looked at this which may give you some clues, until some kind person will do you a look up for you or contact the church directly and ask...what they say in NI is "if you don't ask you don't get" I would do it myself as I have a house just down the road from Drumbo but I am not there right now

https://www.familysearch.org/s/search/index/record-search-advanced#searchType=records&fed=true&collectionId=1321821&advanced=true&givenName=&surname=Walker&eventType=any&eventLocation=Drumbo+Northern+Ireland&eventYearFrom=&eventYearTo=&relationship=none&recordType=Vital&filtered=false

[Elwyn Soutter]

Aghadowey,

It's the Rev James Elder who died in 1843. He's got a memorial stone in Finvoy Presbyterian graveyard but his actual grave is in the COI cemetery (and mentions that he was a Presbyterian Minister which is what caught my eye at the time). His wife is buried beside him in the COI yard.

Elwyn

[aghadowey]

Aghadowey,

It's the Rev James Elder who died in 1843. He's got a memorial stone in Finvoy Presbyterian graveyard but his actual grave is in the COI cemetery (and mentions that he was a Presbyterian Minister which is what caught my eye at the time). His wife is buried beside him in the COI yard.

Elwyn

The present church was built 1847. Rev. James Elder was ordained in 1780 (lic. Route Presbytery so quite possibly his family were from the area).

[aghadowey]

Back to the topic- PRONI microfilms of church records have been available at Cregagh Library since PRONI closed. They will be available at Cregagh until 16th March. PRONI will re-open on 30 March but suspect there will be a bit of chaos for a week or two while teh staff, and members of the public, settle in to the new building.