I've been looking for John Jilson Preston for 30 years. He was born about 1743 in Meath. I don't know the town. I only know what what my father told me. John came to the state of Virginia with five or six brothers in the late 1700's. I don't kinow how old he was or whether he was married when he came or married here. As far as we know he was the only one to stay in Virginia for a time. He could not read or write and was possibly a carpenter( it's a talent that runs in the family) .He and his son Jilson or Gilson came to Kentucky about 1801 to sell some land that Jilson owned.
I don't know how old boys were back then before they would leave home to be on their own, but it could have been about the age of 15. He may hve had older brothers that he came oveer wityh. I can't find any info on where he would have left Ireland from or any passenger lists. I do know one thing, my aunt Pauline is very wrong when she says that we are connected to the Gormanston Prestons.
If anyone has any information that would help me PLEASE contact me.
Diane Carey
dcarey
Friday 27th Dec 2013, 04:26AMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Diane,
Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information makes a connection with you. Unfortunately it may be difficult to further your research as you do not know where in Meath he came from. Most Irish record sources are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records. Also the early date of birth is a difficult as 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.
It may be an idea to contact the Meath Heritage Centre to see if they can offer any assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email:
In the meantime, here are some websites that you may find useful:
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
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm
Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/
Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/meath/index.html
From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
IGP: http://www.igp-web.com/meath/index.htm
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Emma Carty
Friday 14th Feb 2014, 04:28PM