After years of searching, I think I've finally found a baptismal record for my gg grandfather William Hamilton. He appears to have been from Drumey townland in Tullyniskan. Here's the info from his baptism (Dungannon RC parish via NLI records):
William HAMILTON
Baptized: 28 Jul 1831
Parents: Robert Hamilton, Anne Cushnaghan
Sponsor: Alice Cushnaghan
Drumai
William immigrated to New York City ca 1852. A DNA match linked my dad to a descendant of his brother, James Hamilton, who settled in Durham, England by the late 1840s. By the time of Griffiths Valuation, there were no longer any Hamiltons or Cushnaghans recorded in this townland. I'm curious if there are descendants of this family out there.
Brendan_H
Tuesday 12th Apr 2022, 12:21PMMessage Board Replies
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There was a Cushnahan farming in Drumey in 1826, and a John Hamilton, according to the tithes:
http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/tyrone/tithe-applotment-books/parish-o…
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Tuesday 12th Apr 2022, 02:09PM -
Thanks, Elwyn! I bet those are relatives of some sort. I wonder if they all left or died by the time of Griffiths or were simply too poor to be recorded.
Brendan_H
Wednesday 13th Apr 2022, 01:58PM -
Brendan,
Being in the tithes meant you were a farmer (or someone with land, but most were farmers). So better off than the average labourer. Most farmers would therefore be listed in Griffiths. If they are not there, I’d say it’s because they had moved or the line had died out, not because their house was of too low a value to be in Griffiths. (The land alone would get them into Griffiths never mind the size of their house. Plus most farms had outbuildings too. They’d all be in Griffiths).
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 13th Apr 2022, 05:24PM