Joseph Hunter

[shanreagh]

Is this the shipping manifest entry you have:

Departure Place: Londonderry, Ireland
Arrival Date: 7 Dec 1853
Arrival Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Ship: Envoy

Rebecca Hunter, 25
Sarah A., 10
Robert, 8
Joseph, 6
Martha J., 4
Hugh, 9 Months

Just a possibility, but a Sarah Ann Hunter was born on 2 September 1843 and was baptised on 1 October 1843 in Drumachose Presbyterian Church in Limavady, County Londonderry.  Her parents were recorded as Joseph Hunter and Rebecca George of Ballyquin.

Ballyquin townland:
https://www.townlands.ie/en/londonderry/keenaght/carrick/fruithill/ballyquin/

I am a little wary of the entry showing a 25 year old Rebecca with a 10 year old daughter on the shipping manifest.  This means that she would have been 15 when she married.  This did happen of course.  A father's consent would have been required. 

I wonder if
1  there has been a transcription error mistaking a 3 for a 2,
2 that Rebecca, if  the 1822 certificate  is correct, would have been older than her husband and has adjusted her age accordingly. 
3 her husband has  been married previously and the oldest child, at least, is his child by a former wife who has died.   

The differences between the manifest and the children listed on the Findagrave records is worth investigating
Sarah, Robert and Martha do not appear yet they arrived with Rebecca George Hunter.  Joseph does appear and his birthdate seems to tally with the manifest.  Hugh does appear but his date does not tally with the manifest.  He is shown as being born in 1853 (presumably in Ireland) on the manifest but 1851 on the Findagrave record.

I wonder if there were two families.  Joseph being the only one of the first family who kept in touch 

Then again Sarah is the name of Rebecca George Hunter's mother so perhaps an early marriage was possible or that Rebecca was born on 1822 rather than 1828.

Perhaps Sarah, Robert and Martha had died after arriving in the US. Though I note Joseph had a daughter Martha born in 1877.   

[shanreagh]

Again just some possibilities.

The 1831 Ireland census fragments show these folk in Ballyquin:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Kenaught/Balteagh/Ballyquin/3/

And these folk in Derryork:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01sv9/

So rare to see an example of the 1831 census being used.

The loss of the 19th century census returns was beyond tragedy.

Yes it was.  Though two families, ancestors  of my maternal grandmother are there.  From the same area in Co Derry.

[Kelotrbrbr05]

Blimey, I am SO EXCITED that you found that information! Could you please tell me what site you went to, to be able to find this information? I have been searching for over 10 years for this information. I would love to learn more about how to search correctly. Your help has been invaluable.

Thank you again,

Lori Hunter Colburn

[shanreagh]

If you are referring to the Census details here is the link

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

If you click on the down arrow you can find links to the dates of various censuses where there are records.
 

I see Gaffy has already given you the links.

I looked at Findagrave.

[Kelotrbrbr05]

ok, I went to the link for the baptismal records. I only find a search engine and NOT an exact way to see the records. I am so sorry for my confusion. I went to the Drumachose Presbyterian Church and there is not a link for any ancestry records.

When you are on the information page, could you copy the https:// line so it will take me right to that page.

I so appreciate all of your help.

Lori

[shanreagh]

I cannot help you with the records of the Drumachose Presbyterian Church.

I note from this page (from Proni's guide to searching church records) that some/all  are searchable at Proni (they are annotated P in the attached and a reference is given)

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Guide-to-Church-Records-October-2019.pdf

If you go to this link you will see the records at PRoni that can be searched

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/guide-church-records

It downloads to an excel spreadsheet and you will need to scroll or 'find' the Presbyterian records. I would search in all the records around Limavady/Londonderry.   My ancestors were Presbyterians & mine were known for moving from one one congregation to another, 'disputatious', about matters of church lore and biblical interpretation.