Seeking connections to Samuel & Rachel McCracken from County Down, N. Ireland. Samuel born 1802; Rachel born 1798 in Banbridge. Came to USA 1851 thru New York City; then settled in Farmington, PA (south of Pittsburgh). Family info records one son (grandson?) Robert born in 1849. Robert married Susan Virginia Spillman and they moved to Ohio

Yes, I would love to hear anything about the remaining McCrackens from County Down.

How much information do you have about any siblings or other relatives of your grandfather?

To jo anne coates. Reading your message about Samuel, my grandfather George was born in Banbridge during early1800s. If you like I can phone my sister near Banbridge and try to find out some more news about the Banbridge Mc Crackens ok. Many thanks My name is Harry Mc Cracken Born 1940 Co Down N Ireland, now living in England

Were you able to get any information from your sister? Do you have any information on your grandfather's family? Any brothers & sisters? His parents?

DEar Jo Ann - I was wondering if you have any contact details for Harry McCracken who e-mailed you from England in 2000? I would be keen to make contact with him, as one of my ancestors was a George McCracken from Banbridge.

I have tried his e-mail, but it no longer appears to be active.

Many thanks

Shane

There were many McCrackens in the Benraw/Slievenaboley area of County Down (near Banbridge) in the 1800's. David McCracken, my ggggrandfather, was born about 1784 and he died in Benraw in 1868 and is buried there in the graveyard of the Leitrim (Benraw) Presbyterian Church. The minister of that church is also the minister of the Banbridge church and he lives in Banbridge. This David was the Benraw schoolmater for more than 60 years, and he is still remembered in that area. I don't know his wife's name, but a few of his children were David, John, Eleanor, and Margaret.John was my gggrandfather. He married Agnes Hutchinson and they had 12 children, named Samuel, David, Eleanor Ann, Mary Jane, John Ferguson, Robert, Joseph, William H., Thomas, Waring Curran, Hugh and Agnes. This family moved to Newcastle around 1850 where John became a grocer. In time, some of the children moved on including to the USA and Canada. Families tend to use the same names over and over again,please let me know if any sound familiar.

I have a Samuel McCracken who married a Mary Hynes or Hind and had sons Samuel and Francis. Moved from Co Down to Scotland at about 1806

Gail

Sorry, Gail, but these people do not seem to be related to us. Thanks for your note, and we wish you luck with your research. Eileen