I have been trying to find out about the Old Yew Tree in Dreenan (Priest's tree)
in The Island, as mentioned in the O.S. Memoirs of Maghera, near the site of an old mass rock. Legend has it that during the penal times there was a priest executed by hanging
from one of it's branches. If anyone can add more details to this
PLEASE,
contact me.
If you want to reply to any post below
Contact Me
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04 Dec 2007 |
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Hi i have just seen a post
on your page from my uncle Andy Convery. I was just wanting to know how
far back you can trace the Convery family.
Kirsty Convey |
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Tracing into the eighteenth century is
not easy but I have heard of references to the surname
Convery and Saint Columcille in the sixth century. |
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04 Dec 2007 |
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I may have some information
relating to the Slammon family in Culnagrew and would like to make
contact with Tim Slamon who posted a query on this site.
Gabriel O' Kane |
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03 Dec 2007 |
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Hi William, I've been
reading your site since 2003 and it gave me my first boost in finding my
ancestors. My great grandmother Rose Hamill was from Dreenan and came to
the US 1900.Her parents were William and Mary Hamill and lived on what
was Hamill's Hill and is now Causin Hill. She was born in 1884 and even
though I have found baptism records for her siblings at Lavey Parish I
have not been able to locate her records. There are also no records for
the burial of her parents, was their another parish she may have been
baptised in or another cemetery were they might have been buried? I know
there were two Hamill brothers that lived on the hill and I am a
descendant of one and that there is a descendant of the other still
living on the property, Gerry Hamill. Thank you for all the help your
site has been to me and will continue to be.
Jack Barnes |
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01 Dec 2007 |
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love the site. I
do some local research and have some references for your area in Public
Record Office NI. You may be interested in documents which detail every
house townland by townland, each room, flooring, stove, water, roof etc.
If so get back to me. I live in south Armagh and make 'townland
histories' some of which are on display in AN Carn Siopa, Tirkane,
Maghera.
Pauline Loughran |
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27 Sep 2007 |
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Hi William,
My name is Jeffrey Convery. I can across your name and email on
dreenan.com. You have a lot of good information on there and I hoping
you may be able to provide me some Convery history. I have been doing
family history for a couple months now, but my family (on the Convery
side) does not know much as my Grandfather John Convery (born 1918 and
still alive!) never knew his father (Francis Convery born 1889) because
Francis died in 1919 when my grandfather John was 6 months old. The
only information he knows is that Francis's father was John Convery and
that he was born in Northern Ireland in 1833. I have found the
gravesite where my great grandfather Francis and great great grandfather
John are buried (Farmersville, Illinois, USA). In my research through
US Census's, I have found that John Convery (born 1833) immigrated to
the USA from Ireland around 1854 when he was around 21 years old.
Okay, so here is what I am wondering if you can help me with...No one
know if my great great grandfather John Convery immigrated to the US
alone or with family. I would like to find out any information at all
about John Convery's family. His parents names? Did they stay in
Ireland? Did John have sister's brothers? Did they stay in Ireland,
etc. My grandfather told me he thinks he remembers someone telling him
when he was a lot younger that his grandfather John had a sister named
Belle and a sister named Marie that lived in the US but he is not
certain and I can not find any records of them around that time frame.
I also know that
my great great grandfather John Convery married in 1883 to Mary Gorman.
Mary Gorman immigrated to the US in 1881 and she was born in 1860 (so
John was 27 years older than her). John and Mary had 4 children: Mary
(born 1885; died 1952), John J
(born 1887; died 1908), Francis (born 1889;died 1919 and was my
Grandfather's Father), and Paul (Born 1898; died 1975).
Oh, and my
grandfather had written down that John Convery (his grandfather) was
born in Ireland in a town called Maherock 7 miles from Londonderry. I
have looked and I do not find any towns called Maherock, so I am
assuming he was born in Maghera?
If there is any
information at all that you can help provide or a place you can point me
to, I would appreciate it greatly. If you have no information, that is
okay as well. If you need more information from me, I'd be very happy
to provide it.
I hope you don't mind this long email and request.
Thank you so much
Jeffrey Convery |
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01 August 2007 |
William,
Do you know of, or, could you direct me to where I could find a map of
pre 1900 Dreenan with as much residential/property markings as possible?
Bob McTague |
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02 July 2007 |
Hi I contacted you a while ago regarding a
message from Selina Kearney dated,18th November 2006.
Although I did not receive a reply when I emailed you ( my laptop was
on the blink at the time) So I thought I'd try again.
I have recently spoken to the Kearneys and they asked if you would pass
on thier address to Selina.
Chris McKeefry |
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23 June 2007 |
I think this site is wonderful! How great to have
all this recorded. I am looking for Henry O'Neill, born 1761 in
Ballynascreen. It is in county Derry (anywhere close to Dreenan?) There
was a Henry O'Neill on the 1831 Dreenan Census. He had three males and
seven females living with him. My Henry had sons Peter-1814, Felix-1821
and Matthew.
I know Peter was married in Pennsylvania USA about 1854. He was my
gggrandfather. If you know anything I'd be thrilled to find him in
Ireland. Thank you
Peggy O'Neill Austin |
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20 June 2007 |
My husband is related to the William (Bill)
Kearney, mentioned in "Selina Kearneys" e-mail.
If she would like to get in touch either herself or via you we can give
her the address of her Aunt and Uncle. Cassie Kearney and Johnny Kearney
living in the homeplace where William (Bill)Kearney lived.
Chris McKeefry |
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12 June 2007 |
I have found your website very informative and an
aid to researching my ancestors Nicholas Scullion and Alice (O'Neill)
Scullion who were married at Lavey RC 1853. I understand some of the
family resided in Eden untal 1940's. There were 3 or 4 children,
Eugene?, James, Owen and Helen. Arthur Cassidy and Rosie O'Neill were
witnesses at the marriage.
Christina Lyons |
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12 June 2007 |
I am looking for information on my
great-grandmother Elizabeth McPeak(e). It is believed she was born in
1897 and her father's name was Patrick. She had a sister named Margaret.
The children were orphaned at a young age and the girls were sent to an
orphanage (location unknown). Elizabeth came to Canada in 1911 as a
travel companion for a wealthy woman. She was abandoned by the woman
upon their arrival in Montreal. I have no other information to go on?
Any suggestions?
Holly Carroll |
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30 May 2007 |
My ancestor Stafford Downing came to Australia from
Co.Derry in 1859 (sailed from England). Immigration states he was 24. On
his marriage in 1868 he claimed to be 28 years of age and the son of
Alexander (a farmer) and Mary Downing. This places his birth 1835-1840.
I have been unable to find exact details of my Stafford Downing or his
parents but am aware there were a few Stafford Downing's in the Dreenan
area, as well as an Alexander Downing. My Stafford named his children
Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Stafford, Sarah, Catherine, Annie, Alexander,
Hester, Florence, Ethel, Richard & Mabel. There was also a William
Downing (an engineer) in the same gold mining town in Australia at the
same time as my ancestor but I have no details on him and don't know if
they are related. If anyone has any information on my Stafford or his
parents, please can you help.
Jodi Fuller |
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07 May 2007 |
Just to let your readers know that Micheal Boyle
(Mickey)a former student of Dreenan School will be giving a paper to the
Canadian Association of Irish studies in St John's Newfoundland this
June 2007.His talk is 'The role of sport in a divided society like
Northern Ireland."
Micheal is a former Lavey and Tirgarvil GAA player and he played rugby
at Rainey School.Also he completed the Belfast and Boston marathons. |
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30 April 2007 |
I am trying to trace my Convery relatives back to
Ireland. Unfortunately, I don't know where they came from. The family
moved to Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1850s. James and his family (wife
Mary also born Ireland) are mentioned on the 1851 census. His father
Andrew died in Newcastle in 1857 and must have been born c.1800. He also
had two brothers born in Ireland but who also moved to Newcastle -
Andrew and Thomas. I am descended from Andrew who was born c.1838. He
married an Ann McKenna whose father John was also born in Ireland
(though she was born in Newcastle). Andrew was a plasterer. Do you have
any information about the family?
Susan Convery |
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02 April 2007 |
My hubby hubby is the last McIndoe in NI we heard they
lived in Derry 1800 plus have you came across the name. Thanking you.
Mrs E McIndoe |
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19 March 2007 |
My G Grandfather Hugh Convery was born Glasgow, his
father Hugh(2) was born 1852 in the parish of Ballymore, Co. Armagh.
Hughs (2) parents were Hugh Convery and Rose M.S.Daly married in
Ballymore 1837, Hugh had 2 brothers, Hugh b 1842 who subsequently died,
and Charles b 1842.
I don't know if anyone else has any Armagh Converys, but I would love
any information as I seem to have come to a halt with this line.
Lynn Pateman |
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15 March 2007 |
Hi I'm from Glenboig just past
Coatbridge/Lanarkshire, Scotland. My grandfather came from Coatbridge my
great grandfather came from Maghera their names were Pat respectfully,
my father is called Alex he has 4 brothers and 2 sisters, Pat
(deceased), Tommy, Bill, Jim, Mattie nee Findlay, Margaret nee Coleman.
Andy Convery |
Hi Andy. Its good to here from other
Converys around the world, do you know where in Maghera your
g/grand father was from?
Any other Converys out there? |
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13 March 2007 |
Many congratulations Mr Convery on a great and
informative site. I wish there
were a lot more sites like it, particularly in Ireland. I'm pretty new
to
researching my family tree and am hoping that you may be able to get me
one
more step down the road. My grandfather Hugh Donnelly came from the
parish
of Lavey and was born around 1864.We believe his father was a John
Donnelly
who married a Mary Kelly in Lavey in 1859. Would you have any
information on
either, births, deaths, children etc.
Christine |
I glad you found something of interest on the
Dreenan website. I have checked my records and found the following.
John and Mary were married in St. Mary's, Lavey, on the May 1859 and are
recorded as living in the townland of Rocktown, Lavey
Baptism records show four children from them.
George b.1860, Mary b.1862, Hugh b.1864 and Margaret b.1868
I have not needed to research Rocktown and therefore have very little
info other than the usual Griffith Valuations, Etc and so I cant help
you much more.
A good website to view is the Lavey Chapel and graveyards site
www.lmi.utvinternet.com
Please do contact me from time to time with updates on your progress as
I do
like info on other townlands in the parish not only Dreenan. |
Hi William
Very many thanks for your quick and detailed response. Its
terrific to get specifics and I'm very grateful for the data
sent but like the old adage as soon as you get one piece of
the jigsaw you need to get more. Can I get access myself to
some records on-line to establish when John Donnelly was
born and perhaps his death record also and the same for Mary
Kelly. To establish birth dates for George, Mary Hugh and
Margaret is terrific but I also have note of a 5th child
James...can i search records for him.?
If it isn't possible to search online my brother and I are
hoping to visit Lavey sometime late March early April and if
you would be interested in meeting up that would be great.
In the meantime I'll contact James McGuiggan and keep
researching.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Christine
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Firstly where are you from? Online
records are “few and far between” and even if you pay for
them with someone like “ancestery.com” you will find Irish
catholic records lacking, due greatly to the conflict in
Ireland during 1630-1830 an the later conflict in Europe.
(Lavey parish records only began around 1833 and are
incomplete in the early years until it became law to keep
records in around the 1860s). If you live in Ireland you can
access all these records in Belfast or Dublin but only in
person. |
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14 February 2007 |
Have u any info on Bernard McPeake born about 1845
at Swatragh, parents Bernard Mc Peake and Nancy or Anne O'Kane. Thank
you
Alison Penman |
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I have no in-depth info on the Swatragh
district of Derry, its far beyond my area of research, but
maybe someone reading this will have. |
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11 February 2007 |
How can I get the 1911 census for Derry online? Ta
G. Warnaby |
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Here is the free link to the 1911 and 1901 Census
of Ireland, as of 2010. |
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29 January 2007 |
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John Mulholland born circa 1857 died 1941 aged
84.
The above person was my grandfather. I do not know exactly where he
came from but we know it was below Maghera, Culnady, Lavey or in
that area. He had a brother Joseph who was best man at his
wedding in 1894 in Glen parish to Rose Convery. Another brother
emigrated to New Zealand but we do not know his name and he stayed
there. John spent some time in America before his wedding; came home
and bought a farm in Tirnoney where he lived until his death.
His wife came from Ballyknock .He may have only had one brother.
This is all I know about him. Could you please help me
Rosemary Mackin
Belfast
P.S. I have a photograph of him taken in Chicago.
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25 January 2007 |
Just an observation on 1830 map. I have always felt
growing up that Carrick and Curdian were separate townlands from
Dreenan. Have a look at this map. Very interesting. Great web site and I
check it out now and again.
Slan.
Micheal Boyle. |
*Hello Micheal, Carrick and Curdian are
only areas within the townland of Dreenan like
Lowertown, The Island, etc
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Thanks for the update. Dreenan
is an amazingly large townland in Lavey parish and
borders on eight other townlands. The Dreenan school
catchment area includes Carrick and Curdian and of
course Drummuck.
(Dreenan the largest ????? or Mayogall, Drumard -
even Drummuck.)
I have not forgotten to have a few stories etc for
you. But I am trying to get a web site for my work
-Yes Boyle Tours. I have an walking tour each
summer. Any info on the Irish language in Dreenan
area. Let me know.
Slan
Micheal Boyle
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21 January 2007 |
Hello there and thank you for your lovely website.
I discovered through the Lavey parish website that my great-grandparents
Patrick Mellan and Bridget Convery married there in 1856. They had two
daughters baptised there, Elleanor and Mary Anne, before moving to
Tyneside in the 1860's. The Derry Genealogical centre has been unable to
supply me with any details of the birth or family of Bridget and I was
wondering if by any chance you have any knowledge of Bridget in your own
family tree.
I also see from your message board that you mention Keenans locally. My
other great grandparents were Michael Keenan and Jane Cuskern. I am
fairly certain they must have arrived in Bill Quay from South Derry but
I have been unable to trace them.
Thank you so much for any help you can give.
Victoria Jones. |
Parish records lists for a Bridget
Convery marriage recorded to Patrick Mellon married 10th Nov
1856.
I have in my own records a Biddy (Bridget) Convery who was a
sister of
my G/Grand father Patrick Convery, I have not been able to
find out any more details on her. Interesting to note the
above Patrick was also married in Lavey in 1856. Have you
any more details?
William Convery |
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Thanks. yes - Patrick and Bridget,
married on November 10th 1856 in Lavey, are my
great-grandparents. You may or may not know that their
marriage was also recorded at Greenlough, suggesting that
one or other of them was from that parish. Their witnesses
were Patrick Higgins and Neil Mellon so no clues there for
you. If you do think Bridget is your father's sister I can
send you my family information. I have not traced a death
certificate for Bridget but her age on the census returns
leads us to believe she was born 1835-40. Her nephew Frances
Convery was recorded as living with the Mellans in Bill Quay
in 1861. Patrick and Bridget's children include a
Cornelius as well as more usual Irish names so that also may
be a clue. let me know if you think Bridget is your GGF's
sister and I'll send you what I have.
regards.
Victoria.
Further to my earlier e-mail, I should have
mentioned that My great-grandmother, Bridget, is named as
Biddy at the baptism of her first daughter at Lavey. | | |
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12 January 2007 |
I am looking for long lost relatives, for records
and anything about my late grandmother, her maiden name was Katherine
Convery who originally grew up in the Convery Homestead that had been in
the family for 400 years. The homestead was located in the small town of
Maghera in the County of Derry in Northern Ireland. Her parents were
Matilda (Porter) Convery & Michael Convery.
Her many siblings names were;
James Convery, Mary Frances Convery , Alice Convery , Michael Convery,
Joseph Convery , Anna Convery , Elizabeth Convery ,Peter Convery, John
Convery , Francis Convery, Matilda Convery.
You can respond to my email address. Thanks.
Michael Peterson |
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