Seeking any information on my great-grandfather and family, Samuel Dunlop RUSSELL married Jane Lindsay April 22, 1854 in Seagoe. Samuel was born in Drumgor in 1828. Jane was born in Killycomaine in 1835. Two of their children were born in Drumgor, Elizabeth (about Feb 22, 1857) and William Dunlop (January 5, 1859)

Do you have any connection with Elizabeth Russell born c1882 Seagoe parish - Father Robert Russell, mother Rebecca (nee Dilworth or Dillart)?

Sorry. I am not aware of any connection, although I only currently have limited information on the Samuel Russell family. I know he had a daughter named Elizabeth, b. 1857 in Drumgo, County Armagh, and she was baptised at Seagoe Parish Church. Samuel had two sons, James and Joseph (my grandfather), but they were born in County Sligo in 1867 and 1870 respectively. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge about a Robert Russell or daughter Elizabeth.

Have since found out that Robert RUSSELL was the son of Alexander RUSSELL a farmer of Drumgor. Robert married in 1871 in the Seagoe parish church. Any connection?

It remains a possibilty that we are researching the same Russell connection. The only information I have on Alexander at the moment is from Samuel's marriage certificate which lists Alexander's occupation as "weaver." I have written the Armagh Historical Society (about 4-5 weeks ago) to authorize some basic research on the Russell family in Seagoe Parish based on the information I have. I will let you know what I hear from them.

Thanks David. I would appreciate that. Have found an 1851 census abstract for a RUSSELL family living in Drumgor, Seagoe as follows: Alex - head, Dinah - wife, William -son 12, Rebecca - dau 10, Margaret - dau 7, Robert - son 5, John - son 2, Elizabeth - dau 5 mths.

I was just reviewing some of my old Russell messages. I just recently returned from a short trip to Belfast, where I had an opportunity to do some research. I have no conclusive evidence that Samuel's father, Alexander Russell, is the Alexander Russell I researched at PRONI, but I believe that Alexander, who was born in 1811 in Drumgor, is the correct father. He is the only Alexander Russell I could identify in Drumgor during the relevant time period that could be his father. If this is so, then the information you had on Robert Russell does have a connection, as Robert is Samuel's brother. Unfortunately, PRONI does not have birth/christening records for Seagoe Parish between 1821-29, and Samuel was born about 1828. But all the information I have been able to gather seems to indicate I have the right connection. Alexander's father was Robert and mother Susannah. According to Seagoe Parish records, Alexander and Dinah did not marry (at least officially in the church register) until 1835. However, there are 3 Russell children (Samuel, Alexander and David) who are born in Drumgor (based on later documentation) all of whom have father named Alexander. Alexander would have been about 17 at time of Samuel's birth, so he certainly is a possible age for fatherhood. I believe that these 3 boys were born either to an unofficial union between Alexander and Dinah, or Alexander had a prior, unregistered or unfound as yet, wife. I would appreciate any thoughts or new information you have. I can try to send a clearly explanation of my research in an email if you like. Feel free to email me. Thanks.

David - I don't think that you have the same Alexander Russell as me. Mine was born 1810/1 and married Dinah Grayson (Gracey) on 12/8/1838.

Per the Seagoe parish records there appears to be 2 other Alexander Russells in Drumgor:
1 Alexander Russell who was married to Margaret and had children Elizabeth (1830) and David (1836)
2 Alexander Russell who was married to Elizabeth and had a child Alexander (1838) - after the Alexander/Dinah marriage

Based on these dates, there is a possibililty that Alexander 1 could have been the same one who married Dinah (second marriage), but there is insufficient evidence to prove this. Alexander 2 is definitely a different individual.

I have not been able to go back any further than my Alexander (b1810/1).

Note - one of my contacts in the Seagoe area once told me that there were several Alexander Russells in the Drumgor area, "and it is a job knowing which is which".

Thank you very much for the additional information. I am always hopeful of establishing this connection, but I understand that it is still premature. I guess it is possible that Alexander and Elizabeth had a first child Samuel around 1828 - that would work into the sequence for the daughter in 1830. And I agree it is certainly possible that Dinah Grayson could have been a second marriage, but without some evidence, that would be just a guess. I have sent to the GRO to obtain - hopefully - a death record for Samuel. I am fairly certain he died in Belfast around 1908-09, and I am hopeful that this record will give me an additional clue as to his mother. I will let you know if I find out anything.