Ardclinis is a historic graveyard set off the Coast Road, in the Parish of Ardclinis, the Barony of Glenarm, County Antrim. According to the information sign there is reference to it as early as 1306. The graves within are mainly illegible but fortunately what could be seen in 1975 was transcribed by Brian Turner and Fred Heatly. The graves transcribed date back from the mid 1700’s, to the mid 1800’s.

​Several Hawthorn trees have grown up in the grounds of the old graveyard. One in particular, with stones placed carefully around its base, is reminiscent of a ‘fairy tree’.
The Hawthorn plays a significant role in Irish folklore, a solitary tree is regarded as a place where ‘fairies’ or the ‘wee folk’ gather. It was and still is said, that if you cut a fairy tree down then bad luck will befall you. The practice of leaving single trees alone can still be seen locally. For example, in Glenariffe there is a well-known ‘fairy tree’, while close to Cushendall is Teiveragh which is known as the ‘fairy’ hill, again with a solitary tree on its slope.
Some Hawthorns were dedicated to saints, associated with Holy wells or involved in burial customs. Some believe that Christ’s crown of thorns was made from Hawthorn and that this link to Christianity gave the tree healing powers. It certainly has and continues to be used for its medicinal qualities in relation to cardiac and digestive problems. The Hawthorn tree can live to over four hundred years old.
(Taken from information board located at Ardclinis)

A closer look at the headstone information revealed only one that might yield some information using records available. Namely that of Denis Black who passed on February 5th, 1910 aged 76 years.
I first found Denis’s death certificate.

The certificate reveals that he passed at the Cottage Hospital in Cushendall aged 76 years, a widowed Army Pensioner. Cause of death was heart disease, two years, certified. A Harriet Ward was present at death.
​
I next looked-for Denis in the 1901 Census of Ireland. He was found living alone in house 3 in Gallanagh, Ardclinis, Antrim. He was described as a widower aged 67, an army pensioner.

 I next decided to look for military records and signs that he may have lived elsewhere. I found many records in a mixed-up order but put together they read like so.
 
Denis is first seen in the 1851 Census of England, an unmarried 19-year-old ‘Private’ residing at Ashton Barracks, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England. Occupation, ‘Ag (Agricultural) Labourer’, birth place, ‘Glenarm, Antrim’.

​British Army records show him there from the 1st January 1851 to the 31st March 1851

​Denis’s discharge papers were available and give us a lot of information.

​A closer look at page 1 shows us that Corporal Denis Black No. 3478 of the 50th Reg. of Foot was discharged at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 4th June 1866. 

​His character and conduct was deemed as having been good.

He is in possession of the Good Conduct Badge and the Indian Mutiny Medal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Mutiny_Medal

It is noted first that he has no entry in the Regimental Defaulters Book although followed by the comment that he was corrected and sentenced to fifty six days imprisonment, hard labour and marked with the letter ‘D’ for desertion.

Page 2 gives us a statement of his service.

​He joined the 50th Regiment as a Private and served from 26th February 1851-12th October 1851-(229 days). He then deserted from the 50th Regiment at Ashton Under Lyne on the 13th October 1851. Declared by a Court of Enquiry assembled at Ashton Under Lyne on the 19th December 1851. Agreeably with the 146 Article of the Articles of War to be illegally absent from his duty and a deserter from the 13th October 1851.
Denis re-joined on the 30th July 1860. He was tried and sentenced to be imprisoned from the 31st July 1860-25th September 1860. His former service of 229 days was forfeited.

​Denis re-joined after serving his time as a Private on the 26th September 1860-7th August 1864 (3 years and 316 days) He is seen at Parkhurst below in the 1861 Census. It is unknown where Denis was or what he was doing during his time of desertion?

​He is next seen at Parkhurst Barracks in the 1861 Census of England. An unmarried 29-year-old Private soldier born in Ireland.

He was awarded the Good Conduct Badge on the 26th September 1863. He is then promoted to Corporal and further served from 8th August 1864-30th April 1866 (1 year 266 days) Correct Service to the 7th June 1866 (38 days). His earlier service was then restored by the War Office Authority dated 21st July 1866. (229 days)

It is certified that the statement of the service of Denis Black is correct as of 30th April 1866. He then served a further 173 days from the 8th June 1866-27th November 1866 making a total service of 6 years 292 days.

Ophthalmia – affliction of the eyes. Originated December 1865 in an acute attack attributed to a condition of military life.

The condition will probably disable him to a medium stent for earning a livelihood.

No 3478 Corpl Denis Black referred to in the preceding pages by Trade a labourer was born in the Parish of Adaline (Ardclinis) near the Town of Glenew (Glenarm) in the County of Antrim and attested for the 50th Regt. At Newcastle Upon Tyne in the County of Northumberland on the 26th July 1851 at the age of 19 years.

His final description when discharged from service at Netley this 27th day of November 1866 age 34 years. Height - 5 feet 11 ½ Inches. Complexion - Fair. Eyes - Hazel. Hair - Dark Brown. Trade - Labourer. Marks of scars upon the face or other parts of the body – marked letter D for desertion.

Intended place of residence – Newport – Isle of Wight.

Records show Denis still in service until 1869.

​Denis can be seen in the 1871 Census living in Newport – Isle of Wight as a widowed, head of family. A Pensioner and labourer from Ireland. He has 3 children with him. Margaret aged 8, (circa 1863) a scholar born in Newport. Denis anged 6 (circa 1865), a scholar born in Auckland, New Zealand, and John aged 3 (circa 1868) born in Southampton.

​By the 1881 census Denis is seen remarried to Mary, he is noted as a Chelsea Pensioner and bricklayer labourer. Both from Ireland. No sign of Denis’s children?

​1891 sees Denis and Mary still residing in Newport. Denis is noted as a Masons labourer aged 59.

​Returning to 1901, Denis is seen back home in Ireland, a widower and army pensioner.

He passed on the 5th February 1910 aged 76. After living away from home for so many years he was laid to rest in his place of birth, Ardclinis. He left a will (no image available online) leaving his effects totalling £138 18s and 7d.

Camus is a quaint old graveyard found on the scenic Curragh Road, Coleraine,
with a history going back to 580AD.

When visiting old graveyards I often come across a stone that sparks an interest and I try to find out
more information. In this case the stone of interest involved a Samuel Henry, who lost his life at
Coleraine Railway Station on the 12th July 1905.

I began by locating Samuel's death certificate. It states that Samuel Henry of Castleroe, Male, Labourer, passed on the 12th July 1905 at the Workhouse Infirmary, Coleraine, aged 17 years. Cause of death was compression to the brain due to injury from train - Accidental. Certificate received from H S Morrison, Coroner for County Londonderry. Inquest held on 13th July 1905.

Also commemorated on the stone is a Mary Henry who passed in Castleroe on the 9th July 1897. Mary Henry, female, Spinster, 77 years, Servant. Cause of Death, old age, no medical attendant. A. Henry, son, present at death, Castleroe. At this point we could guess that Mary is Samuel's Grandmother.

We now knew Samuel's birth year as circa 1888 being aged 17 in 1905. Samuel Henry was born in Castleroe on the 9th November 1888 to Alexander Henry, Labourer and Anabella Henry formally McAfee.

I then found the family in the 1901 Census of Ireland living in House 30 in Castleroe. The house had 2 rooms, 3 windows and 5 outhouses which included a cow house, a piggery, a fowl house, a barn and a shed.

OSNI Historical Third Edition 1900-1907 map showing Castleroe.

The full story of the Inquest regarding Samuel's accident was found in the
​Coleraine Chronicle printed on the 15th July 1905.

He had left home in the morning, rejoicing in a well earned holiday, and in the prospect of his excursion - a rare experience for one so constantly at work. The return journey was completed and the boy in his exuberance and vigour hastened to join his fellows in the station and prepare for the homeward walk with the Orangemen of his locality and at that moment he was snatched from earth, never again to see or be seen by the mother who had in the morning sped him on his way to an enjoyable trip. For the parents and other relatives in their sudden and sore affliction there is widespread sympathy.

For general interest, I thought I’d take a closer look at some residents of Brook Street in the 1911 Census. The picture above is dated circa 1912. 

ONSI Historical Fourth Edition Map 1905-1957.
​Brook Street can be seen running up the middle of this map of Coleraine.

Here we can see two widowers, Jane McMullan, 78 (circa 1833) and Margaret Blaney, 65 (circa 1846), noted as a seamstress. They could possibly be sisters?
​Margaret Blaney had been married for 35 years (circa 1876) and had 2 children with 2 living. 

Jane McMullan had been married for 41 years (circa 1870) and had 2 children of which 1 was still living. A marriage for a Jane Thompson to John McMullan is found registered in Coleraine on the 27th April 1869, Jane would have been about 36 years old.
​Jane McMullan passed on the 15th February 1913 in Brook Street of old age, aged 80.

​Here we have the McLean family. Father Thomas, born in Co. Antrim, 67 (circa 1844), works in the Corn Mill. He has been married to Catherine, 72 (circa 1839) for 46 years (circa 1865) and they have had 8 children with 7 living. Two of their children live with them. John, 29 (circa 1882), a shoemaker and Lizzie, 25 (circa 1886), a laundry worker, both unmarried. Two grandchildren are there on census day, they might live there or may just be visiting. Sarah Rankin, 13 (circa 1898) and Catherine McFadden, 10 (circa 1901), born in Scotland.

​Eliza Reid McClean (Lizzie) was born in Lisnagalt, Ballyrashane on the 16th January 1883 to Thomas McClean and Catherine McClean nee Donaghy.

​Here we have an elderly couple, John and Eliza McAfee. John is 85 (circa 1826), a Bootmaker. Eliza is 73 (circa 1838). They have been married for 48 years (circa 1863) and have had 7 children with 6 living.

​Eliza McAfee passes on the 5th September 1914 at the age of 76 (circa 1838) at Brook Street with son David McAfee present at death.

​John McAfee passes on the 3rd January 1920 at the age of 84 (circa 1836) at Brook Street with son Thomas present at death. 

​Brook Street consisted of mainly 2nd and 3rd class Private dwellings but the Street included a Gospel Hall and a shop.

​Most of the houses had 2 rooms and 2 windows.

​The Higgins family reside at number 4. William, 42 (circa 1869), a Plasterer and his wife Rose, 40 (circa 1871). They have been married for 8 years (circa 1903) and have 3 children with all 3 living with them. Maria, 7 (circa 1904), Jack, 5 (circa 1906) and Jennie, 3 (circa 1908). 

​House 5 sees Mother and daughter, both called Jeannie. Jeannie Snr is 51 (circa 1860), a Tailoress, widowed. Daughter Jeannie is 19 (circa 1892), an office girl. Jeannie Snr states she has two children with two living.

​A marriage is found for James Montgomery to Jane Wallace on the 14th April 1884. James is described as a Clerk, Jane a Milliner. 

​Daughter Jane is born on the 26th August 1892.

​Sadly, James passes later the same year on the 24th November. Cause of death states Delirium. He passed in the workhouse, probably a hospital ward. An inquest was held on the 25th November.

​Martha M Hamill, 49 (circa 1862) and her four children, Mary, 16 (circa 1895), Annie, 15 (circa 1896), Samuel, 12 (circa 1899) and James, 11 (circa 1900) live in house 6. Martha is noted as married so her husband is alive, just not present at home on the day of the census. Martha has been married for 16 years (circa 1895), has four children with four living.

​A marriage is found between Robert Hamill, a blacksmith aged 21 (circa 1872) and Martha Morgan on the 29th December 1893.

​Their four children’s births are then found. This is a prime example of taking the ages on a census with a pinch of salt.
Mary Jane Burns Hamill was born on the 14th October 1894.

​Nancy aka Annie Hamill was born on the 12th July 1896.

​Samuel James Hamill was born on the 7th March 1898.

​James Hamill was born on the 7th July 1899. 

I have made a list of each households occupations, ages, religion and where they were born. There are a wide and varied range of occupations from a Message Boy to a retired Civil Bill Officer. Ages range from newborn babies to 90. A complete mixture of religions but mainly Presbyterian and Church of Ireland. Residents were mainly born in Counties Antrim and L'Derry. Follow this link to look up the meanings of some old occupations 'Old Occupations'

​Seamstress
78, 65
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry, Co. Antrim

Corn Millworker, Shoe Maker, Laundry Work
72, 67, 29, 25, 13, 10
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry, Co. Antrim, Scotland

Boot Maker
85, 73
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry

Plasterer
42, 40, 7, 5, 3
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry

Tailoress, Office Girl
51, 19
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Shirt Maker
49, 19, 15, 12, 11
Presbyterian
Co. Antrim

Painter, Gardener, Dressmaker
72, 72, 34, 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, Methodist
Co. L’Derry

Jobbing Smith, Smiths apprentice, Message boy
54, 42, 21, 19, 14, 13, 8
Presbyterian, Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Coal Merchant and Carter
34, 34, 7, 5, 3, 0
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry, Co. Antrim

Car driver, Painter, Grocer labourer, Assistant on oil tank
54, 51, 28, 19, 15, 14, 5, 3
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry, Co. Antrim

​Retired Laundress, Tar Lady
85, 69
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Tailor
62, 20
Roman Catholic
Co. Tyrone, Co. Antrim

Labourer
45, 42, 9
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Labourer in Stone Quarry
74, 24
Church of Ireland
Co. Antrim, Co. L’Derry

Housekeeper, Domestic Cook Servant
72, 40
Roman Catholic
Co. L’Derry

Boot and Shoe Maker, Housekeeper
40, 38, 13, 12, 10, 6, 4, 1
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Carpenter, Grocer’s Assistant, Dressmaker
90, 68, 55, 48, 22, 20, 15, 13, 9
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry

Railway Porter
27, 23, 2, 0
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry

Tailor, Labourer in a Foundry
61, 23, 21, 0
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Shoemaker
35, 31, 7, 5, 1
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry

Butcher
37, 28, 2
Roman Catholic
Co. L’Derry, Co. Armagh

Plumber
25, 23, 2, 0
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Sanitary Engineer
23, 21, 3, 0
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry, Scotland

Carpenter
34, 31, 8, 3, 2, 1
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

General Labourer, Domestic Service, Spinner
40, 29, 28, 15, 0
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Linen Weaver
33, 22
Salvationist
Co. L’Derry

Mason Labourer, Hair Dresser, Engine Driver, Weaver
50, 45, 23, 21, 18, 16, 12, 9
Church of Ireland
Co. L’Derry

Blacksmith, Domestic duties, Painter, Shirt maker
58, 35, 18, 16, 13, 11, 8, 6, 4, 1
Presbyterian
Co. L’Derry, Co. Tyrone

​When we think of our ancestors we imagine Victorian people in fancy clothes or hard-working farm labourers with rolled up shirt sleeves and cap. Many of us will have a mixture throughout our families. 

​Our ancestors begin with our parents whom we are immediately descended from. Then our grandparents, great grandparents etc. The number of people double each time so the further back we go the more the family grows. Don’t forget the brothers and sisters of each direct ancestor, they are family too! 

Most of us will know our parents and their parents if we are lucky. We may know our parent’s siblings, our Aunts and Uncles, and maybe some of our grandparent’s siblings?

In my case, my maternal grandfather (my mums father) passed the year I was born, so I never knew him or any of his siblings. My Granny passed when I was 16 years old in 1990, and although we were very close, I never knew anything of her siblings, nor did I ask!
​
It took me many years of learning how and where to find details of family before my tree began to fill with names. Each person has their own story to tell and when you do what I do, you need to know! 

In the last few years, online genealogy records have become more accessible and have made my work much simpler and less costly. Genealogy can be a very expensive hobby and very time consuming.
​
Here is a list of questions about our ancestors. Beginning with your parent/s, see what information you can gather, the sooner the better. Talk to your family, ask about their parents and their siblings. You will be surprised how much you don’t know and if you are lucky there might be that old family secret or mystery that you can help solve! Good luck!

I read a newspaper clipping, posted in a local Facebook group page, concerning a serious accident in a flax mill at Articlave in 1906. I thought to myself, “I wonder what happened to Fanny Cochrane?” 

​Possibly the flaxmill now  'Collins Wing'

My hobby is genealogy so here is what I found…
Fanny was born on the 28th December 1891 in Ardina, Dunboe, Articlave. Her father was Isaac Cochrane, a labourer from Ardina (Originally from Tullans, Coleraine). Mother Caroline Cochrane nee Flemming. A Sarah Flemming from Pottagh, Dunboe, Articlave was present at birth.

Fanny’s mother and father married in Dunboe Parish Church on 23rd November 1883. I was unable to locate Fanny’s mother Caroline? A search showed me Isaac Cochrane, widowed and remarried in 1911. It seems Caroline has passed between 1891 and 1896 (when Isaac remarried) I was unable to locate her death certificate.

​St Pauls, Dunboe, Articlave

Fanny is seen in the 1901 Census of Ireland at house 23 in Articlave Town, living with her Grandmother Sarah Flemming (who was present at her birth) and sisters Lizzie, Sarah and Kelly. Also Lizzies husband Thomas Sterling. (Births found for sisters but not included here)

Griffiths Map of Articlave circa 1859.

​OSNI 1 10000 Metric Scale Irish Grid 1957-1986 Articlave

Fanny’s accident happens in 1906, she would have been 15 years old.
I am unable to locate her for definite on the 1911 census?
Fanny’s Grandmother Sarah passes on the 12th March 1910 with Fanny’s sister Lizzie being present at death.

Fanny is next seen marrying James Dinsmore at St. Pauls Parish Church, Dunboe on the 20th November 1911. 

James Dinsmore was born in Englishtown, Macosquin on the 3rd May 1890. Father James Dinsmore, a labourer and mother, Sarah nee Kennedy.

​He can be seen living with his family in both the 1901 and 1911 Census.

James is seen signing up for Service in WW1 on the 15th May 1915 at Enniskillen. He is noted as a Scutcher living in Ballylintagh, Coleraine. He is first assigned to the 12th Res. Bn Roy Innis Fus (12th Reserve Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. No. 230606.
A very descriptive army record includes these details.
A report on enlistment shows James apparent aged is 25. He is 5 ft 7 1/2 inches. His girth when fully expanded is 36 1/2 inches and range of expansion is 2 inches. He had no distinctive marks.
Name and address of next of kin:               Fanny Dinsmore
                                                                                  Ballylintagh, Drumcroon, Coleraine
Relationship:                                                      Wife
As to marriage:                                                 Fanny Cochrane, Articlave, 20th Nov 1911, Ballylintagh, Drumcroon, Coleraine.
As to children:                                                    James Austin 24th July 1912 Englishtown
                                                                                  Margretta Kennedy 15th Oct 1914 Ballylintagh

In a later report, two more children – neither certificate available at present.                                      
Caroline Sarah Dinsmore 12th Feb 1916 Coleraine
Frances Elizabeth Dinsmore 22nd Sept 1918 Coleraine.
We know from the army record that James was punished many times for overstaying his leave, not
usually by a long length of time. Maybe he couldn’t bear to be parted from Fanny? Also, included
were any admissions to hospital, for example, 7/4/1916 he joined the battalion in the field then on
the 30/6/1916 he was admitted to hospital for shell shock.

​Sadly, the record also includes a note of James death, from what I can see, in 1923 at his residence
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. A very sad end for someone who served from 1915-1920. I was unable to
locate his death certificate?
Fanny Dinsmore nee Cochrane does not appear to have remarried, nor can I locate her death before
1967, I would imagine she lived on to a grand old age in Coleraine.
I am including the full army record for James Dinsmore found with this post. Hope you find it as
 interesting as I did… 

This example shows the wealth of information available! Sadly not all WW1 Service records are available, I just got lucky here. 

Having researched many ancestors of my own and others over the years I know how difficult it can sometimes be to piece together a story of their lives. Wouldn't it be great if everyone had passed down a box full of details of their lives, some stories, memories, photos of their own?
This gave me a thought, why not leave my stories, memories and pictures in one place for my descendants while I still can! Hopefully in doing this via a blog I will encourage others to do the same.
I will share some childhood memories, places lived, schools attended, occupations etc. Sometimes just one picture will trigger many stories and memories covering a moment in time or several years?
I will also blog stories of my ancestors, small projects undertaken, visits to nice places etc random stuff really. This is a first for me so fingers crossed!
​
My older brother Paul was born in 1971 and apparently named me Lucy while I was in my mother’s belly 😊

​I was born in the summer of 1974 in Hanover, West Germany.

​Wasn’t I quite the chubby baby. I have it on good authority I was a very noisy baby aswell and had to be placed in the laundry cupboard of the ward because I was disturbing all the other babies!
I was brought home to Coleraine as a baby, and we lived with my much loved Granny for a while.

​My first few years are a toddler blur. Pictures often help with memories and I guess the picture below would be my earliest. 

​I’m sure theres many a 40 odd year old in the town with a picture with this Santa! I believe I was about 3 or 4 years old here, making this picture 1977/8? I look petrified!
I recall going to the Wimpy bar at this age too and colouring in Mr Wimpy pictures.

​We lived in the maisonettes in Harpurs Hill. 

​I have many good memories here, a very happy childhood. Making snowmen out the back (no comment on the hat and scarf…cough cough)

​Getting up to all sorts with my neighbour Shibbon. Climbing up the horizontal concrete posts (and getting back down without serious injury) No health and safety back then! I’m fairly sure we launched ourselves down the rubbish shute on many occasions lol! Terrible! We played tennis out the backs and made perfume in little bottles by taking leaves off a neighbours roses and crushing them in water. Skipped to the shops often returning with the opposite of what our parents wanted! Running each other up and down the alley on a skateboard tied to string….the neighbours must have loved us!!! Oh and getting 50 pence pieces off the ‘50p man’ who lived at the end flat for the electric meter.

​Granny lived on Culraith Street and more often than not we played there in the field across the road. Many a game of rounders with kids from all over joining in! 

​These are my earliest memories, next stop Primary School!