James Knox Carmichael genealogy

Hi Judith,

Thank you for your message.

Unfortunately, the reality of finding documentation pertaining to births/baptisms/marriages/deaths in Ireland prior to 1800 ? particularly in rural areas ? is that they simply may not exist. Please also note that the Church of Ireland was the official church of the country and therefore the bulk of information that does survive for earlier periods is often from these registers. 

For more information on Church of Ireland registers, check http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/.

You can use the irishtimes website to see what Catholic records are available in specific parishes, unfortunately the records for Aghadowey/Coleraine parish do not begin until 1843. You can see this here:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Derry&parish=Coleraine&churchid=341

You could try searching for his parents in the Tithe Applotment Books. These were land records compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount which occupiers of agricultural holdings should pay in tithes to the Church of Ireland. Although it doesn't offer any genealogical information, if they are in it, it may confirm the area they were living in at the time. To search these records follow this link:

http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp

You could also check the later property records called Griffith's Valuation (1848-1864) here:

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/ 

Have you looked into James' emigration much? Sometimes more information was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure, so it may be a place to find more information. For immigration information in Canada check the National Library and Archives at the following link:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

Some other website which you may find helpful are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

Family Search: https://familysearch.org/  

 Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/derry/index.html

Alternatively, you could try contacting the Derry Genealogy Centre for assistance-however a fee may apply. Here are their contact details:

Derry Genealogy Centre,

Harbour Museum,

Harbour Sq.,

Derry,

BT48 6AF

Phone: +44 28 71377331     Email: genealogy@derrycity.gov.uk

I hope that this is helpful. Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

kind regards,

Genealogy Support