William Mcilwaine

[WolfeEye]

I have been looking for a civil death record for William Mcilwaine of Ballymulligan, but haven't had much success. He was the father of James Alexander (born 1836) and Sarah Anne (born 1831). He's listed as their father on both of their marriage certificates. I've only found two William Mcilwaine's that died in the district of Magherafelt, and both of them were recorded as bachelors. The first William died in 1870 in Ballymulligan and left all his property to his sister, Jane Bell. The other William died in a workhouse in 1911.

I've located the death certificate for the widow Elizabeth Mciwlaine, who died in Ballymulligan on 5 May 1867. James Alexander is listed as the informant. Perhaps Elizabeth was the wife of William and he died before civil registration started in 1864?

Thanks.

[Elwyn Soutter]

I assume your family were Presbyterian. (There are 3 McIlwaine households in Ballymulligan in the 1831 census and all were Presbyterian). Presbyterians generally don’t keep burial records, so if your ancestor died before 1.1.1864 there will not be a death certificate nor a church burial record to find. If he did not have a gravestone there may be no record of his death anywhere.

Is this the probate abstract for William who died in 1870?

“Letters of Administration of the personal estate of William M'Ilwaine late of Ballymilligan County Londonderry Farmer deceased who died 10 October 1870 at same place were granted at Londonderry to Jane Rainey of Ballyrogley (wife of Robert Rainey) the Sister of said deceased”.

It mentions Jane Rainey as administrator, not Jane Bell. However the above doesn’t mean that Jane was left everything. William died intestate and his estate would have been divided up in accordance with intestacy law. Jane was the executor/administrator who arranged that.  (If she was his only living relative she might have got everything, but if there were other living close relatives, they would have got a share).

[WolfeEye]

Thanks for the reply. That's unfortunate that Presbyterians didn't keep burial records. I was under the impression that the Chruch of Ireland kept burial records for all Protestants.

[Elwyn Soutter]

I was under the impression that the Chruch of Ireland kept burial records for all Protestants.

Sadly no.