My Pritchard ancestors lived in Midleton (sometimes Middleton) Parish in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. They were most likely of English descent, but it's not known when they first came to Ireland. They seem to be well established in Midleton, neighboring Rathcoursey, and Cork City before 1691. Records list members of the family … Continue reading The Rock at Midleton
My 9th great-grandfather was probably married at St. Finnbarr's Cathedral in the city of Cork, Ireland. William Pritchard was listed as a mariner on the marriage licence bond dated 1688. Ruth Wells was from Bandon, a town about 19 miles south west of Cork. They had at least five children: Paul, Henry, William, Margaret, and … Continue reading St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral
On a wooded section of road, an iron gate stands at the entrance of a driveway that climbs to the right, up a small hill. Peeking out behind trees and bushes stands Chequer Hall, a house built during the Plantation of Ulster during the 17th century and the home of my 7th great-grandfather, John Adams, … Continue reading Chequer Hall
Almost every line of my husband's genealogy has early Mormon pioneers who crossed the American continent to settle in Utah. After arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, some were asked to settle other parts of the west, including my husband's 2nd great-grandfather. William Jordan Flake was asked to go south in 1877 to what is … Continue reading Finding Cousins, Ireland Edition
One of my favorite things in Ireland was meeting people. Everyone was so nice and helpful and willing to talk. Our visit to the Kilraughts Reformed Presbyterian Church was no exception. We hadn't planned on attending the meeting there, but we were happy we did. The greeter at the door helped us get hymnals and … Continue reading Talking to Strangers
One of the first Presbyterian churches in Ireland, established during the Plantation era in the early 17th century, was built in the townland of Kilraughts, County Antrim. The congregation later moved 1.5 miles east, but burials still took place at the old churchyard. My ancestors, John and Elizabeth (Borland) Adams, likely attended this congregation. The … Continue reading Old Kilraughts Churchyard
I had been on the trail for several years, looking for the siblings of John Adams of Chequer Hall, County Antrim, Ireland. The only sibling I knew about was a brother named James, who received £50 in John's will. Family stories say that John and James were business partners. But without known parents and thin … Continue reading Finding Siblings
