Donaghcloney Old Graveyard
This old graveyard is situated on a mound above the River Lagan. It's clear to see that the site was once a reasonably large ring fort, well sited just above the river. The previously circular site was altered by the building of the road. The oldest known gravestone dated from 1707, but many of the oldest stones are sadly no longer obvious or legible. The following inscriptions are or were on headstones in the graveyard. Photos of headstones follow beneath.
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Finding Connections
ABC Family History Association is all about making connections! Our members have some connection with Northern Ireland, whether they live there or their family came from there, no matter how long ago. We run family history courses to teach people from our area and throughout the world how to find the connections between us and know who our ancestors were, where they came from, what they did and how they lived. We offer regular talks, workshops and visits. Members can also take part in projects to use those skills and share results. Each year we publish a book written by our members based on the results of our current project. We love to welcome those from overseas to our area and help them get the most from their trip to their ancestral homeland!
About Us
Join Us
You can join ABC Family History Association as an Online Member who can enjoy our web page, online talks, family history courses and workshops and start or take part in projects, or you can take out one of our local Membership categories for individuals, couples and students who can also attend events we organise in Northern Ireland, which will be well publicised on this page. Organisations who support our purposes can take out a Corporate Membership. Come and join us!
Article Contributed by Member FM10
News!
Stay in the Know
Planting a Tree to Commemorate the Platinum Jubilee
ABCFHA have planted a Sweet Gum Tree on the lawn at Ballinteggart House to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. A commemorative plaque has been placed at the tree. Pictured on the right, beside the tree, are Helen and Philip Troughton, owners of Ballinteggart House, with a framed photograph presented to them by Chairperson, Joy Smith. The photo is of Philip's Great Grandfather and his 2 brothers, and was given to us by one of our members, Pooler Clements, who it turns out is Philip's 3rd cousin. Pooler's Great Grandfather is one of the brothers in the photograph.
'Our Family Stories' Project - NEW!
'Our Family Stories' book is now available for pre-paid orders - email abcfhabooks@gmail.com
Can You Help? Do You Have An Arlow Clock?
We have been approached by Michael, a descendant of George Arlow, who was a clockmaker in Dromore, Co Down between 1865 and 1868. The clocks which Michael's ancestor made had white dials and mahogany cases and a considerable number of them were made and may still be around in local houses. Michael has never seen one of the clocks and would love to do so. If you have an Arlow clock and would be prepared to let Michael see it, please do get in touch with us by emailing abcfhasec@gmail.com
Family Research Section in Members Only Area
This new section is designed to enable members share their research within our member community, with the hope that it will assist others in their own research. We are therefore looking for contributions to this section from our members, however short or long. The first shared research comes all the way from Karen, a member in Australia, whom we thank for her contribution, ably assisted by her cousin in London!
The Taylor Family of Derrycory - available in our Members Only area
Karen has also sent us another great piece of research - the identification of over 50 members of the Taylor family who are buried in Grave 350 at Drumcree Church of Ireland
Grave 350 at Drumcree Church of Ireland - available in our Members Only area
Don't Overlook Books!
Evelyn Gardiner, our Projects and Publications Manager, has written a piece about what we can find in old books to help us in our family research. She has begun to transcribe the Appendices from Captain Richard Linn's 'History of Banbridge' - Appendix 1 lists the tenants from Ballyvally in the 1700s and there are 16 more Appendices to come. Maybe one of your ancestors is there? Members can access this new resource by clicking HERE. Many thanks to Evelyn for this great new and unique resource! Update: Appendix 2 now available!
Armagh Cultural Heritage Library
NEW!
Armagh Cultural Heritage Library has a new home at 1 Markethill Road, Armag - familiar to some as this is where the Teachers' Centre is located. On our Resources for Research page within our Members Only area there are a number of lists of sources, newspapers, books etc available in the library to help with family research.
Articles by Members
Here we print articles of interest contributed by our members:
Seapatrick Co Corner, Then and Now
Activities
ABC Family History Association is buzzing!
SHORT COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Educational
ABC Family History Association organises short family history courses and workshops which vary from 30 minutes online to 1 full day face-to-face. We also offer bespoke courses to other organisations for their members, with courses for beginners and more advanced researchers.
REGULAR HYBRID TALKS
Using the Technology
ABC Family History Association
offers regular talks, where some members can be in Bleary Business and Community Centre and others can join them through Zoom. Our talks cover a wide range of topics in family and social history and are delivered by experts from around the world.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
One-to-One Support
With this initiative, ABC Family History Association's goal is to help you with your family research. This may be through advice regarding the next steps to take, suggesting taking a family history course, telling you about various web sites, assisting with presentation of research - including topping up the necessary computer skills.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Building a Community
Local research projects in which members can participate are a great way of finding out how we connect and can lead to improved understanding and better community relations. A project may be building your own family tree, doing a One Place Study, a DNA project, transcribing church records and lots more.
VISITS AND
TOURS
Fun Trips!
ABC Family History Association organises visits to a variety of places within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Trips may be short local visits to a museum or heritage centre, for example, or a local guided walking tour. We may also venture further afield. Trips and visits, some of which include a meal together, require additional payment.
ENCOURAGING DNA TESTING
Using the Science
ABC Family History Association encourages you to consider DNA testing. DNA results can help to break down your 'brick walls' in research and find new family members, helping to connect us all. Our DNA project teaches you how to analyse your results and maximise your findings. Join us to find out more!
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon
Borough Council Area
This is our Gallery of Members' Images of the ABC area.
Click on an image to 'like' it!
Email us your own images if you'd like to have them featured here
We'd love to show members' photos of places in ABC in our Gallery - please make sure you own the copyright of the image and email it with details to abcfhasec@gmail.com
