Robert Wallace McTear ( spelt ) Mateer- born at Newtonards Circuit 4th Mar 1835 Father William - mother Mary.   Can anyone explain exactly what the circuit in Newtownards is. Robert Wallace MCTear is my 2x great uncle and I am trying to establish more about his parents William McTear and Mary Whiteside

I would suggest that this refers to the Methodist Circuit of Churches for Newtonards. Methodist Churches in UK are normally grouped together in "Circuits", Ministers would visit the chapels in a circuit on a regular basis. Jon Baker Dorset OPC Co-ordinator www.opcdorset.org -----Original Message-----   Can anyone explain exactly what the circuit in Newtownards is. Robert Wallace MCTear is my 2x great uncle and I am trying to establish more about his parents William McTear and Mary Whiteside