Hi Susie, I assume you know of this - maybe it was even written by you: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hamilton-1411 It is, I believe, (sticking my neck out here) a common fallacy that most Irish records were destroyed in the attack on the Four Courts in Dublin in 1922. Yes, this unfortunate episode destroyed the censuses that began in Ireland in 1821 but they would not have helped you much. It also destroyed some copies of church BMD records but again, I do not think these ever went back much further than the 1800s so they would not have helped either and anyway most of the originals are still in local custody at the churches. If your folks were rich, wills were also destroyed but it never clear to me exactly what existed so I suppose that is your biggest loss. But, I think we never had proper records of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths or burials in the first place. Presbyterian records rarely go back before 1830 and they never bothered with burial records and still do not! Catholics ditto and very few CofI records go back much further that the 1790s, though there are exceptions. I have no idea why this should be the case and am always envious of those good folks in England who know they came over with William the Conqueror in 1066!! We Ulster Scots almost never find the link back to Scotland, which could be as recent as the early 18th century. On the other hand, you are extremely fortunate because the largest set of estate papers by far, held at the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, are for the Abercorn estate. This was the estate of the Hamilton family of Tyrone and Donegal. However, I genuinely doubt they will have an awful lot as early as the 1740s. I have used them for the 1770s. Have a look for yourself and make sure you book up several days in Belfast: http://www.proni.gov.uk/introduction_abercorn_d623.pdf I am also wondering are you aware of the fact that the first plantation of Ulster, before the official one of 1610, was carried out by the Hamilton and Montgomery families in 1607/8, mainly in the area where I live, the Laggan Valley that runs along from just west of the City of Derry and down along the border of Donegal and Tyrone to Strabane, the seat of the Marquis of Abercorn. They even named two towns after themselves, Newtownhamilton and Manorhamilton. So, yet again, you are researching a very famous name. Have a look: http://www.hamiltonmontgomery1606.com/ Regards, Boyd Gray http://familytrees.genopro.com/boydgray26/Boyd/default.htm http://www.westulstergenealogy.com/ http://www.facebook.com/westulstergenealogy -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Susie Brusa Sent: 04 November 2013 18:05 To: [email protected] Subject: [CoTyIre] Hamilton list I am planning a trip to Ulster to visit and to trace roots, and want to make the very best use of the limited time I will have. I wondered if you could answer a few questions for me and perhaps make some recommendations that would help me avoid wasting the precious time I will have when there. I live in California, and through my ancestry research, have found relatives in Australia and NY who are also working on this same Hamilton branch. We are lucky to be part of a large Hamilton DNA project conducted out of the University of Pennsylvania that connects us directly through DNA to the first Hamilton in Scotland. Unfortunately, we are at an utter standstill prior to 1742 in Ulster. In my research, it appears as though most of the records from that time that might be able to identify the father's name and break the log jam have been destroyed. I'm hoping to make an itinerary based on the most likely success of finding such records. Here is what we know: There were four brothers Hamilton who all immigrated to the US before the US Revolutionary War (1775). The only place name is a passing reference to Derry at the birth of one of the brothers (all of this is from printed history of US sources), and the mention of coming from County Tyrone in one of the other documents. They are: Henry Hamilton born 1742, comes from County Tyrone John Hamilton, born 1745, mention of Derry Archibald Hamilton, born 1758 James Hamilton, born 1761 All left Ulster before 1775 All married and died in the US One of the other researchers believes that the father might likely be James, based on naming conventions from the time. Does that ring true? Do you know of any sources from this time period that would help? What steps should I take in your view? Susie Brusa www.ranchocieloyc.org Rancho Cielo offers education, vocational training and employment referrals for disconnected youth aged 16-24 who embrace our vision of self-sufficiency. The Drummond Culinary Academy Dining Room serves dinner on Friday nights. Call 831.444.3521 for reservations. Voted #1 on Trip Advisor of 258 restaurants in Salinas! The elegant 3-course prix fixe is entirely prepared and served by the students. ------------- Our community web-site: http://cotyroneireland.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message