Did you know? The world's worst novelist, Amanda McKittrick Ros, was born near Ballynahinch. The entire Kilkeel fishing fleet was sunk by a German U-boat on 30 May 1918 without the loss of a single life. Sir Hans Sloane, whose collection formed the foundation of the British Museum, was born in Killyleagh. The Little Book of County Down is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about this ancient county of Northern Ireland. Here you will find out about Co. Down's history, its literary heritage, its churches and castles, its festivals and fairs, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. A reliable and quirky guide, this little reference book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this fascinating county.
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Of all the nine counties of Ulster, none can claim a more cosmopolitan and fascinating history than Down. In ancient times it formed part of the ancient kingdom of the Ulaid; the Dal Fiatach, the most important of the groupings of tribes of Ulaid, came to dominate the east of the county with their capital at Downpatrick. Vikings came to raid and then settled along the coast. Later the Normans seized control of the Dal Fiatach kingdom constructing castles, monasteries and abbeys before becoming 'hibernicised'. In the seventeenth century, thousands of Scottish and English settlers poured into Down, establishing themselves in the north and east of the county. Meanwhile the native Irish were able to preserve their way of life in south Down where their close-knit communities were sufficiently well organised under their traditional leaders to co-exist with the newcomers. The distribution of surnames in the couty provides lasting evidence of its complex history. The purpose of this book is to provide a practical guide for the family historian searching for ancestors in County Down. It is true that many records have been lost, including those in the destruction of the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. However, much has survived to aid the dedicated family or local historian. Moreover, it has become increasingly accessible in the detailed catalogues and user-friendly searching aids in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Because of the breadth of the material covered, this book will appeal both to the experienced researcher and to the novice. Of particular value are the detailed listings of the records of landed estates, churches and schools, as well as the appendices listing townlands and unofficial place-names for the county.
Finding Your Family in County Down This illustrated, well indexed book, was created exclusively to help you find your family in County Down, Ireland. Focusing specifically on families within the county, it includes an introduction to research and sources in Down. The most numerous families from birth records are given, as well as rather rare Down families found in heraldic records. Included you will find a full page county map from the Atlas of Ireland, along with a listing of modern parishes and old townlands, along with the address and location of records for more research. Published by the Irish Genealogical Foundation, this book was originally made for members researching in Down. What this book does This work includes copies of actual records (some worn, torn and faded), from the IGF Library. It also includes rough sketches of family coats of arms and notes from centuries past - seldom found elsewhere. The resources provided here will help research any family in the county, including old Irish families, and settler families from England, Scotland, Wales and the continent. This book is a hands on guide for finding your family in Down - some family history is included - but it is not a gigantic collection of family histories . (For that see 'The Book of Irish Families, great & small', the first book in the Irish Families series by O'Laughlin.) The Irish Families Project for Down The Master book to the 29 volume Irish Families series is 'The Book of Irish Families, great & small'. That book gives hundreds of family histories from County Down and the surrounding areas. "County Down Genealogy and Family History Notes", volume 14 in the series, expands upon that coverage with added families and new resources just for Down. (In this way both books can work together as a set if desired, or they may be used independently for research.) Among the most numerous families here in the 19th century were: Thompson (Thomson) Smith (Smyth, Smythe), Campbell (Cambell, Camble), Martin (Martyn) Patterson (Paterson, Pattersen) Wilson (Willson) Graham, Johnston (Johnson), Murray (Murry), Brown (Browne), Robinson (Robenson, Robinsen), Hamilton, Bell, Scott (Scot) and Boyd. The most noted old Irish families in Down were those of McQuillan, Mac Gilmore, O'Neill, Mac Cartan, O'Neill and Magennis. Other noted family that hailed from Down were Hill, Bradshaw, Savage, Fraser, Jackson, Taylor, Walker, Watson. Remember also that part of Belfast is contained in County Down as well.
