GeoGenealogy
GeoGenealogy
The Kilpatrick Surname Study
© Holly Kilpatrick

The Kilpatrick Surname Study

GeoGenealogy
Researching Presbyterian Ancestors in Ireland: “Millions of people around the world have Presbyterian ancestors from Ireland. The aim of this book is to help those with Irish Presbyterian roots find out more about their forebears. It considers the different strands of Presbyterianism in Ireland and explores the range of records generated by these religious denominations and where this material can be accessed by researchers. Much attention is focused on the documentation created by individual congregations, though consideration is also given to the records created by the higher courts of Presbyterianism and other bodies, as well as the personal papers of Presbyterian ministers.”
Ulster Emigration to Colonial America, 1718-1775 “First published in 1966, R. J. Dickson’sremains the acknowledged work of scholarship on migration in the eighteenth century of a quarter of a million people from Ulster to the New World. It combines detailed investigation of the economic, social, and political background to the exodus with information on the emigrant trade and an analysis of the motivations and origins of the emigrants themselves. This new edition includes a specially written introduction by Graeme Kirkham, whose researches on both sides of the Atlantic are reflected in an essay which considers recent advances in the understanding of this important mass population movement from Ireland to America.”
Colonial Ulster , the Settlement of East Ulster 1600 - 1641:

n this landmark work, Raymond

Gillespie meticulously reconstructs the

society of East Ulster, encompassing

the counties of Antrim and Down,

during the early seventeenth century.

Despite being excluded from the

official scheme for the Ulster

plantation, these counties formed a

distinct region within Ulster. With

remarkable attention to detail, particularly notable

given the scarcity of records from this era, the author

delves into demographic and economic shifts, the

evolution of rural and urban communities, and the

dynamics between central government and local

interests. Through this exploration, Gillespie unveils a

captivating portrayal of the efforts by both settlers

and natives to forge a peaceful coexistence amidst a

backdrop of rapid change

Strabane Barony during the Ulster Plantation: “Under the scheme of Plantation, Strabane barony was allocated to undertakers from Scotland, the chief of whom was James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn. The settlement here was therefore overwhelmingly Scottish, rather than English. Chapters in this book look at Strabane in the pre- Plantation era, the background of the Scottish undertakers, the development of the town of Strabane, the impact of the Reformation, and the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the barony in the early seventeenth century. First published over 30 years ago, this fresh edition of The Strabane Barony during the Ulster Plantation, 1607-41 presents to a new audience the story of the Plantation in the barony of Strabane. It stands as an exemplar of the way in which a professional historian and his students can successfully work together to produce a high-quality publication.“
A Narrow Sea:

The BBC Radio Ulster series, 'A

Narrow Sea,' embarks on a journey

tracing the extensive historical

relationship between Ireland and

Scotland. Through exploration of

numerous connections, correlations,

personalities, and conflicts, the series

delves into the intricate tapestry that

has defined the bond between these

spirited neighbors over the centuries.

Spanning across epochs, from the earliest migrations of

intrepid Mesolithic pioneers to the grand colonial

endeavors of the Vikings, Normans, and Stuarts, this

narrative unfolds the dramatic tale of how one culture

birthed two distinct nations. Along this historical

trajectory, Ireland and Scotland projected their

influence far beyond their shores, reaching as far as

North America and Australasia.

Comprising 120 concise and accessible episodes, 'A

Narrow Sea' offers a sweeping and evocative panorama

of a connection that has profoundly shaped the course

of history on both sides of the narrow sea.

Researching Ulster Ancestors: The debut of this book in 2005 marked a significant milestone, swiftly establishing itself as an indispensable reference for family historians investigating Ulster ancestors from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It addressed a critical gap by providing trustworthy guidance on sources crucial for understanding familial connections in Northern Ireland. Often perceived as daunting terrain for researchers, this guide reassures and empowers. By illuminating avenues of inquiry, it reveals the wealth of archives both within and beyond the island of Ireland. Moreover, it underscores the value of overlooked, rare, and sometimes unconventional yet accessible sources — invaluable reservoirs of information for tracing ancestral roots as far back as the 1600s.
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Recomended Reading Ulster

A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland: This second edition serves as a pivotal resource in Irish genealogical research, featuring detailed maps pinpointing the locations of Roman Catholic parishes across all 32 counties of Ireland and Presbyterian congregations within the nine counties of Northern Ireland. The information compiled within is indispensable for tracing ancestors predating 1864 through church records, and it remains valuable for locating post-1864 ancestors via civil records. Encompassing descriptions and maps of both parochial and civil administrative divisions, this edition offers essential insights into major Irish record sources. To facilitate researchers in pinpointing administrative divisions accurately, each county includes at least four maps depicting Church of Ireland parishes, baronies, and dioceses, as well as poor law unions and parishes encompassed within the probate districts serving that county, alongside Roman Catholic parishes and dioceses."