PRESS family in Castleward

[Ian Sumpter]

Greetings, i am searching for the birthdate and any family info of William Press, born at Castleward, Down Co. ~1787.  Possible child of John and Ann Press or Michael and Catherine Press?

Thank you for your time and efforts,
cheers,
Ian

[BallyaltikilliganG]

There are less than 30 Press listed in http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/P/PrPy.htm
The first of which says 
PRESS   family   Down area   originally from England but came to Downpatrick area after 1641   LR 2007 p11. The overall impression of the family records from her listing suggest they settled in the civil parish of  Ballyculter where Castleward is a townland . See Ros Davies Co Dowb parish map, which is just south eastwards of Downpatrick. Also see her list of surviving church records under Churches, then civil parish, then the denominations she lists
To my ear Press is a variant spelling of Price, so depending who recorded which record, one needs to ones options open.
You aren’t giving any detail of what you know or irish resources already searched so cant help further.
Good luck JimG

[Borrberw]

William was baptised at Ballyculter on 4th June 1787. His parents are recorded as Michael and Catherine Press of Castleward.  There are other siblings in the registers if you want me to do lookups for you.

[BallyaltikilliganG]

it was just a passing response, hope you get others responding whenever you give enough information
good luck onwards JimG

[Ian Sumpter]

Borrberw: many thanx for the baptism date of Wiliam Press (of Ballyculter) and his parents' names.  Any information that you can gather on siblings or parents would be greatly appreciated.

cheers,
ian

[Borrberw]

Below is all Press baptisms in the Ballyculter Church registers between 1777 and 1838.

10th August 1780, Vere, John and Ann Prefs [Press], Castleward
15th October 1782, Michael, John and Ann Prefs [Press], Castleward
27th December 1785, William, John and Ann Prefs [Press], Castleward
4th June 1787, William, Michael and Cath'e [Catherine] Prefs [Press], Castleward
27th June 1787, Ann, John and Ann Prefs [Press], Castleward
5th May 1789, Rose, John and Jane Prefs [Press], Castleward
6th November 1789, Robert, Michael and Cath'e Prefs [Press], Castleward
4th July 1791, Mary, John and Rose Prefs [Press], Castleward
20th April 1792, John, Michael and Catherine Prefs [Press], Castleward
4th November 1792, Catharine Ann, John and Rose Prefs [Press], Castleward
18th December 1794, John, Michael and Cath'e [Catherine] Prefs [Press], Castleward
15th April 1795, John, John and Rose Prefs [Press], Castleward
20th June 1806, Mar't [Margaret] Jane, Thoms [Thomas] and Anne Prefs [Press]
17th September 1806, George, Mich'l [Michael] and Cath'e [Catherine] Prefs [Press], Castleward
15th October 1807, Ann, Thos [Thomas] and Editha Prefs [Press], Castleward
1st October 1810, Thomas, Wm [William] and Ann Prefs [Press], Castleward
18th Mary 1815, Cath'e [Catherine] Anne, Wm [William] and Eliz'th [Elizabeth] Prefs [Press], Castleward
17th June 1816, James, Michael and Jane Prefs [Press], Castleward
7th September 1817, Vere, Wm [William] and Eliz'th [Elizabeth] Prefs [Press], Castleward
7th May 1818, John, Michael and Jane Prefs [Press], Castleward
27th February 1820, Mary Jane, Wm [William] and Elizabeth Prefs [Press], Castleward
15th October 1820, Vere, George and Jane Press, Ballyculter
24th November 1822, John, George and Jane Press, Ballyculter
23rd February 1823, Alicia, Wm [William] and Elizabeth Press, Ballyculter
26th February 1826, William, Wm [William] Press and Amelia Ward, Castleward (Illegitimate)
21st January 1827, Anne Jane, George and Jane Press, Ballyculter
7th September 1828, Jane, Michael and Jane Press, Churchtown
28th March 1830, William , George and Jane Press, Ballyculter
20th June 1830, Arabella, Wm [William] and [Elizabeth] Press, Ballyculter
20th May 1832, Harriet, Wm [William] and Elizabeth Press, Raholp
19th May 1833, James, George and Jane Press, Ballyculter, Englishtown
22nd December 1833, Thomas, James and Margaret Press, Strangford

Hope this is useful to you.

[aghadowey]

'Prefs' in the above entries would actually have been Press- 'ss' written with long s so that it looks like 'fs.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_s

[BallyaltikilliganG]

In case its still helpful after the amazing response from Borrberw, I am wondering if you have searched  the Blackwood Family History manuscript trees Collection in the LinenHall library, Belfast, if you cannot visit the library I suggest you ask them for photocopying estimates only if they think your knowledge relevant and be prepared to pay the extra for post and packing if you are tempted.  “The Library welcomes all research enquiries, whether made in person, by phone, fax, letter or e-mail. Enquiries from members will be answered free of charge. Visitors from afar, and in particular those engaged in serious research projects, are recommended to make prior contact with the Library to ensure that they receive the best possible service. More complex enquiries should be made by letter, fax, or e-mail. Enquiries of this kind from within the British Isles will normally be answered free of charge, apart from any copying and postage charges. A minimum charge of £2 will normally be made in respect of overseas enquiries. A4 photocopies b&w are 20p.  The Library may be able to assist those with more extensive research requirements on terms subject to negotiation with the Librarian. Contact the Library for further information on info@linenhall.com or Telephone 028 9032 1707. Their address is The Linen Hall Library,17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT15GB, Northern Ireland, see their website for contact details
The volume references that might interest you are
PREY      Vol 91 included on my whim to keep all options open
PRICE   Vol 22 page 33 etc Transcribed, Vol 23 p33 35 (OR volumes 33, 35,) Vol 76 Typed 1936
PRICE-WILLIAMS  Vol   52
Ask are there any notes connected following the last page number or at the back of the volume.
➢   Hoping this is includes new information for you
➢   good luck, Jim
ps However if the material is really relevant when you get it, I suggest a further donation to this unique library that is always needing extra funds.

[Ian Sumpter]

Borrberw: WOW!  Great stuff, many thanx for the Ballyculter church data for 1777 to 1838. This data filled in a number of important gaps in my family tree.

Would it be possible to get the marriage and death data for this time period?  Also, was there any Press info pre- or post- this time period?

Now to search for the birth and marriage dates of Michael and Catherine Press, and their sons John Press and Thomas Press.  My information indicates that in 1774, John Press was a member of Ballyculter Church of ireland.

cheers,
Ian