Hi Irene - further to Mary's post, there is a William John THOMPSON baptised Co Down 1844. However, in using the facility to search with father's name there is no match. IGI has a member's submission of a William THOMPSON baptised Ballynamoney (sic), Co Antrim in 1838/9 - parents Hugh and Susannah. These are not always reliable as a source of precise information. There is a Hugh THOMPSON in Ballymoney in the Griffiths. Also two MURRAYs. There is a William MELLON in Dromore, Co Down in the Griffiths and a Hugh THOMPSON in Cumber, Mahgeradrool, which appears to be quite near to Dromore. There is a great website for Mahgeradrool which you might like to look at - all of your names there. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/MAPS/MagheradroolTownlands.htm I don't see a likely marriage for Hugh THOMPSON and a MURRAY anywhere though. This is not very helpful I know but may give an area to think about. Best wishes, Patsy - New Zealand Subject: [IRELAND] William John Thompson - County Down - Help please > Hi > I am asking please for help to find the birth place of William John > Thompson > from County Down. > I have been asked by older family members who are travelling to Ireland > next > week from New Zealand who would dearly love to see the area where their > great grandfather was born. His name was William John Thompson and he was > born abt 1840, as we understand in County Down. His parents were Hugh > Thompson and unknown Murray. He married a Harriet Mellon who was born in > 1838 somewhere in County Down and travelled with her parents to New > Zealand > where she married William. Her parents were William Mellon and Harriet > Hennessey. > If there is anyone who can help us out we would be very very very > grateful. > It is the first time for this couple to Ireland and they would dearly love > to see some of the area where the family originated from. They are > seniors > so this is possibly the only time they will get to see Ireland. > Please if you can help us out I would love to hear from you. > Irene > > NZ