Crawford Antrim 1851 Census Lookup Request Please

[Dye]

Hello . . . .    

I would be most appreciative if someone could kindly see if they can find any of these Crawford's in the 1851 Census Antrim Ireland please.  I know it is a big ask but would mean a great deal to a multitude of descendants in Australia.

Husband  Samuel Crawford
Wife - most probably Elizabeth

All below were noted to have father Samuel Crawford.  Mother Elizabeth.
 They are quite likely brothers & sister.  See details below.
Those below all arrived in Western Australia from 1860 on-wards. Most of them  would have been quite young in 1851.


1. JOHN CRAWFORD: (1832-1904)
son of  - Samuel -  from Antrim.
Arrived in Western Australia 26.12.1860 via the Escort with wife MARTHA formerly BRADSHAW (nee HUME) ( 1836- 1904) Was he David's brother?
A Son SAMUEL was born at sea (1860-1928).

2. DAVID CRAWFORD: (1838-39 - 1918) Most important to me.  

Born about 1838-39 in Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
David Crawford: Son of Samuel: arrived per "Escort" 20 Dec 1860 with his wife Mary & baby daughter Mary. His wife Mary died on board ship in Gages Roads, Fremantle, Western Australia in Dec 1860.

m1. DAVID CRAWFORD: married 23rd Feb, 1860 at Parkgate, Donegore, Antrim, to MARY FINLAY: (~1836-1860) of Donegore, Antrim, Ireland.

I have a copy of a marriage certificate for David Crawford & Mary Finlay.

Marriage solemnized at Parkgate in the Parish of Donegore, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
David - Bachelor, residence at time of marriage - Browndod: Profession - Carpenter: Father - Samuel Crawford: Farmer.
Mary Spinster, residence not clear. Father - William Finlay: Farmer.

3. HUGH SMITH CRAWFORD: (1841-1918)
b. 31 Jan 1841 in Donegore, Antrim, Ireland. Father: Samuel Crawford. Mother: Elizabeth.
Single - arrived in Western Australia via "Strathmore" 12.6.1864. With sister Mary Jane b (1844) Wheelwright - York. (He nominated brother Francis Crawford to come per "Robert Morrison 7.3.1866.)

4. FRANCIS FERGUSON CRAWFORD: (1845-1915)
b. 14 Jan 1845 Donegore, Antrim. Father: Samuel Crawford: Mother: Elizabeth Crothers. IGI Records has Mother as Elizabeth Curry.
* Single - arrived in Western Australia 7.3.1866 via "Robert Morrison."- from Brown Dodd.

5. MARY JANE CRAWFORD: (1844)
Daughter of Samuel, Farmer - single - arrived in Western Australia via the Strathmore 12.6.1864 with ? brother Hugh Smith Crawford.


It is thought these five may have been siblings but we have not been able to prove it.  Donegore, Parkgate, Browndodd  & Belfast have been noted on certificates.


John would have been 19 yrs & possibly  living separately with wife Martha.

David would have been about 13 years.
Hugh  10 years
Francis 6 years
Mary 7 years
I do wonder if there was a Samuel?

I do hope someone can help.   It would be great to find them.

Best wishes Dye.          

[scotmum]

A number of Crawfords turn up in those 1851 returns that still remain. Unfortunately I don't see anything for the  areas you are considering.

You can view same at a number of sites including http://www.census-online.com/links/Ireland/Antrim/

I noticed a William Finlay of Browndod townland in Donegore in the Griffiths Valuations, perhaps the same one who was father of Mary Finlay.

Also, a Jackson Curry Crawford turns up on this site http://www.pensear.org/search/search.php?q=crawford&r=10&o=0&s=61. Maybe another tie-in to your line.

[Dye]

Thank you very much for your time & effort.     

I too have looked previously when on line but not found them.    They must have been there but using the only clues we have  nothing is falling into place.    I know they existed as they have hundreds of descendants.  I know they came from Antrim but it is a big place.

I guess I will just have to be happy with going back as far as I have.    

I will check out your two suggestions & let you know if anything turns up.

My other thought  is I wonder  how complete the 1851 Census is?

Thank you again.

Best wishes, Dye.         

[scotmum]

The site I have posted, as with the others I said were available, gives details of ALL the remaining 1851 Census returns for County Antrim. Those with ancestors in these few areas are the fortunate ones as the rest, like many later returns,  were destroyed.

[Dye]

I thank you again for your reply. 

I will spend time searching the sites you have posted in detail.

It helps to talk with someone who has experience.  At times watching other researchers go back so far with their search it becomes quite frustrating. I do know many others are experiencing the same problems as I.
I would just like to catch a glimpse of my family in Antrim.

I wonder if I could call upon your expertise again.

What is your advice to help me find my David Crawford's birth?

I have been trying to narrow down the parish in which he may have been born.
I was hoping the census might narrow my search area. 

We as mentioned have his marriage certificate to Mary Finlay  23rd Feb, 1860.

Marriage solemnized at Parkgate in the Parish of Donegore, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
David - Bachelor, residence at time of marriage - Browndod: Profession - Carpenter: Father - Samuel Crawford: Farmer.
Mary Spinster, residence not clear. Father - William Finlay: Farmer.

I would imagine this was Mary's parish.  I'm also guessing he did not live far away. Using his age recorded on his marriage & death certificates he was born 1838-39.

Hugh Smith Crawford & Francis Ferguson Crawford are recorded in the IGI as being born in Donegore. Francis Ferguson was recorded as coming from Browndodd.

I have not been able to find a birth for my David Crawford with Father Samuel in the IGI.

What records would you suggest I order in to my Genealogy centre to search for him closer to the source?

Thanking you again for your interest.

Cheers, Dye.

[scotmum]

No expert, I'm afraid, but I do enjoy the challenge researching my Irish lines (and the odd challenge of others' lines too).

Just a few thoughts to maybe help eventually 'find' David's birth. Have you seen the IGI record that suggests Samuel Crawford was born c1813 at Ballywoodock, Donegore (and apparently later married an Elizabeth Curry)? The townlands of Browndod and Ballywoodock were, I understand,  adjacent to each other.

...oops, realised time, must dash on school pick-up, will try to continue later....

[scotmum]

This map

http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=-667500&Y=7275000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=mercator&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=50000&left.x=7&left.y=142


will show where Ballywoodock was in relation to Parkgate. You can also use the arrows etc to pan around the map and zoom in/out to gain a more fuller understanding of the area/s around.For example, moving to this part of the map

http://uk.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=-685000&Y=7275000&width=700&height=400&gride=&gridn=&srec=0&coordsys=mercator&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=50000&up.x=292&up.y=9

will let you see the position of Browndod to Ballywoodock.

As you will have realised, David's birth pre-dates Civil Registration (births) in Ireland, so your hope will be to tie down a church within the area and trust that his birth is recoded in their records, many of which are held at PRONI. Bearing in mind the close proximity of the various townlands you have placed them in, the church of David's marriage may also have been that of his birth. Does the marriage certificate give any indication as to the church or was their religion at time of arrival in Australia known?

[scotmum]

Griffiths Valuations for Donegore have an Andrew Crawford at Ballywoodock and an Adam and John Crawford at nearby Tobergill, as well as a Malcolm and William J Crawford at Halftown which are all Donegore Parish so again may tie in with your line at some point.

Also, in Bassett's Directory of 1888, under Farmers & Residents is found Robert Crawford of Halftown and S. Crawford of Parkgate as well as Jas. Finlay of Freemanstown (I realise these are beyond your dates but they may still tie in with your lines).

[Dye]

Hello again Scotsmum,

You say you are no "expert" but you have certainly been most helpful. Your "expertise" no doubt obtained through your own research & experiences being used to help others not quite so familiar with this area is much appreciated.  I'm sure others may be learning from your replies as well:)   

 I was most interested in the link to the maps sites.  The first one worked well (unfortunately the second didn't.)  With some juggling I may get it to work as I went to the original map & can see how you can hone in. Nevertheless I now have a much better idea of the area in which they may have lived.  I had previously downloaded general maps on Antrim but not in this amount of detail. 

I will certainly take not of the names you have come up with  & add them to my research records.  One never knows one day it may all tie in.

A few days ago  I had someone email me about their  David Crawford born  07 Sep 1839 in Tobergill to a Adam Crawford  & Margaret Charters.  Unfortunately the parents don't fit but for a moment I thought I might have found him. I see Tobergill is also within the same area. 

My David Crawford & Mary Finlay were married in the Church of Donegore according to the Form & Discipline of the Presbyterian Church, by License by me (the signed name looks like several initials then Gillespie.)  There is a short word between Church & Donegore. It could be 1st or Isl.

For any interested in my Crawford's you are welcome to visit my  genealogy web site @ http://www.webace.com.au/~tblack Follow the Crawford link. 

I am intrigued with all the Irish names beginning with Bally.  Do you know what this stands for? (Town of . . . ) 

Thank you again for your interest & time especially as I see you are a very busy Mother.
Cheers, Dye.