I grew up near Crawfordsburn, Parish of Bangor. McFerrans were found mainly in Bangor and the village of Crawfordsburn which is 4 miles away. McFerrans have been in Crawfordsburn in the townlands of Ballymullen and Ballygrot since at least the 18th. C and likely the 17th. The Muster Roll of 1631 held in Bangor listed James, Gilbert,Andrew and John Mcffyrn. John and Joseph McFerran were Freehold farmers in Ballygrot townland in 1787. James McFerran was awarded the flax growers spinning wheel premium in 1796. Jane McFerran b c. 1785 d 1819. Robert McF b 1757 Ballygrot, Robert 1783, Samuel 1789, William Feb. 8 1729 B'grot and William 1783 Crawfordsburn. There were four William McFerrans with families in the Crawfordsburn area in the 19th. C but it is not clear to me as yet how they are related to one another. My g grandfather, Captain James Montgomery married Mary Anna McFerran, daughter of William (1786-1838).Their daughter was my grandmother. I went through all the McFerran information I have and do not see Robert James. The 1901 Census for Bangor, Victoria Road, listed Robert McFerran aged 54, wife Margaret, son Robert 25 and Jennie 18. McFerrans are listed in the Ros Davies Co. Down web site but I don't see your Robert James. I suspect he was descended from one of the McFerrans in the Crawfordsburn area. You may need the services of a professional genealogist in N. Ireland. A list is on the PRONI web site.The McFerrans likely came originally from Dumfriesshire in the early 17th.C