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Henry Murray , Elizabeth(Denver) Murray, James Murray, and Eliza Murray

Henry Murray , Elizabeth(Denver) Murray, James Murray, and Eliza Murray

Posted: 11 Apr 2015 10:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Murray
I'm trying to find any info on Henry b.1799, Elizabeth(Denver) ?, James b.1828 and Eliza b. 1842. Murray. They were all born somewhere close to Belfast and immigrated to the Pennsylvania in the U.S. around 1850. I have their info after they arrived in the U.S. but would like to find out more about their life in Ireland and any other family members that my have remained in Ireland or immigrated.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Wendy

Re: Henry Murray , Elizabeth(Denver) Murray, James Murray, and Eliza Murray

Posted: 12 Apr 2015 7:14PM GMT
Classification: Query
I can't give you any personal information about this family but here are a few sources of information.

To find out about life in Ireland prior to 1850 you should read a few books about the period.
Try Eneclann genealogy division of Trinity College

1850 would be during the Great Famine, officially the dates are 1845-1852 but started much earlier and results felt well after 1852. I have a book on the Famine and could look up Co. Down to get
an idea of people's lot at the time.

Its hard to find any records this early but here goes:
www.genealogy.nationalarchives.ie Tithe Applotments 1823-1828 (your Henry would be about 29 and probably had his own leases by then)

There is only one Parish shown, so not complete. No Denver. or something that could of easily been mispelled or translated, few people were literate and names written by someone literate by sound.

1828 Hugh Murray, Parish Drumgooland, Townland Annahardaw
1828 Hugh Murray, Parish Drumgoodland, Townland Annaghard ( this might be a wrong spelling
translation from written records)

PRONI is the public record office for Northern Ireland

Griffith Valuation not till 1860 in Co. Down, just 1 Henry Murray www.askaboutireland.ie

Henry Murray, Parish Knockbreda, Townland Ballymacarret, Poor Law Union of Belfast (within 12 mi)
tenant of John Reid & Co.

#5 Newtownards Road, house and yard

There are other Murray's about 15 in the Parish of Knockbreda, 2 in Parish Holywood, PLU Belfast

No Denver's in the Griffith Valuation, might be a spelling close like Dever?

Another source shows the name Denver:

1901 Census an Anne Denver born 1854, age 47 a servant born Co. Down in home of Atkinson
Co. Armagh

Annie Denver, married 1917 in Belfast registration district

Catherine Denver d Oct-Dec 1897 age 60, estimate born 1837 based on age given at death

So there were Denver's in Belfast. You can find parish records in two sources in Northern Ireland:
www.emeraldancestors.com and www.rootsireland.ie

The 'roots' records for Co. Down are scanty, Church of Ireland Belfast, marriages only 1818-1900; Methodist 1828-1899, Newtownards, RC 1796-1899 baptisms only.
I would look for the birth of James 1828, father Henry and hope for the best.

1901/1911 Census: www.census.nationalarchives.ie has added fragments from early census 1821-1851 that survived the Four Courts Fire in 1922, perhaps PRONI has these too?
Being fragments - pretty iffy but worth a look

In the british telephone book for northern ireland there are 36 Murrays in Newtownards and over 100 Murray's in Belfast. There is just 1 Denver in Newtownabbey, Belfast.

Currently that is the best I can do.

Annette Code

Re: Henry Murray , Elizabeth(Denver) Murray, James Murray, and Eliza Murray

Posted: 12 Apr 2015 7:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for the response. Henry and his wife Elizabeth are my husband's ggg grandparents. I have checked with almost every research website available and nothing turns up for Henry or his wife. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1850 and settled in Pennsylvania and that's where the trail starts. Lots of info once they settled here but I was just curious about their parents and families in Ireland. The only thing I do know is that they came from Belfast. I'm sure it would be easier if I could look at the actual records and not have to use the computer. My husband and I would like to plan another trip home in the near future so that may be a possibility. Thanks again.

Wendy
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