McCambridge/Ferguson/Dillon/McKiernan

Ann Marie,

Mary Ann’s marriage certificate tells us her father was John, a farmer. This looks to be the Ferguson household in the 1901 census:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/The_Fair_Head/Tornaboolagh/922185/

Sarah McCambridge was born in the townland on 8.10.1901 so this is presumably where she was born. (There were only 3 properties in the townland so it has to be her home).

This is the only McCambridge farm in Losset in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/The_Fair_Head/Lasset/922177/

Daniel’s father was Alexander McCambridge. Griffiths Valuation of 1861 lists him as having a half share in plot 9 (along with Neal McCurdy). It was a 27 acre farm. John & Mary McCambridge also had land in the townland. Plot 9 today is on the Churchfield Rd. If you have a look at the maps on the Griffiths site, you can see where it is. Use the slider bar in the op right hand corner of the maps screen to switch between a modern map and the 1870s map.

Griffiths lists just 1 Ferguson living in Tornabodagh in 1861. That was plot  2a held by Duncan F. That was a labourers cottage and an outbuilding, on John Wilkinson’s farm. That’s down a lane off the Drumaroan Rd, just near the coast.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

The Valuation revision records on the PRONI site tell us that in 1868 the tenant changes to Alexander Ferguson and in 1884 he acquires a yard. The 1901 census tells you it was a single story, 2 room building with 2 windows at the front. The roof was almost certainly thatch. In 1904 the tenant changes to John Anderson, and by 1907 the notes say the house was down, and what was left was being used as an outbuilding. The Wilkinsons continued to live and farm nearby. Plots 1 & 2 were combine din 1912. So you should be able to find the farm easily enough today but it sounds as though the small cottage the Fergusons lived in is probably gone. There are nice views over to Scotland from there though.

According to a section in Dr Roulston’s book "Antrim & Argyll", McCambridge is originally a Scottish gaelic name and they originate in Argyll. (It’s only about 10 miles across to Kintyre, so not a big journey).

Thank you so much for the information, Elwyn. I am looking forward to visiting the area in July.

Ann Marie

Elwyn, you have my sincere gratitude for providing me with the information. My trip to the region in July is something I cannot wait for. 

Just to let you know that the comment above was not from me. I have changed my password now.