Genealogy In Armagh
County Armagh is bounded by Lake Neagh (north), former County Tyrone (northwest), former County Down (east), and by the Republic of Ireland (south and west). Armagh (Hotels, Armagh, Ireland) is also known as “the Orchard County” because of its success in the growth of Bramley Apples. The soil is in generally rich and productive, but a hilly tract called the Fews is barren. Some good marble is found in this county; and the linen manufacture flourishes in all its branches. The only river of consequence is the Blackwater, which separates it from Tyrone. Armagh is still the ecclesiastical capital of both, the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland and is the most venerated of Irish Cities. The remains of Emhain Mhacha are now a major tourist attraction.
The main towns are Armagh, Bessbrook, Craigavon, Crossmaglen, Cullyhanna, Forkhill, Jonesborough, Keady, Killylea, Loughgall, Lurgan, Markethill, Newtownhamilton, Tandragee, Richhill, Portadown.
Surnames associated with the county include O’Neill, O’Hagan, Heany, Haughey, and McParland (Gaelic Irish origin), Graham, Sands, Wright (English origin), and Campbell, Donaldson, Lockhart (Scottish origin).
Emigrants from Armagh (Holiday Apartments, Armagh, Ireland) have settled the world over from Pennsylvania in the U.S.A. to Ballarat in Australia. The county was severely hit by the Great Famine. Numerous workhouses and hospitals were constructed to help the sick and destitute. Large numbers of people emigrated at that time.
Armagh (Bed and Breakfasts, Armagh, Ireland) Ancestry has established a comprehensive genealogical database containing those sources now considered the most useful in establishing a family tree.
County Armagh Heritage Centre,
42 English Street, Armagh,
Co Armagh, Northern Ireland
The Centre holds about 1.5 million records on individuals who were natives of the historic County of Armagh (Holiday Cottages, Armagh, Ireland).
The main records include:
Roman Catholic records, the earliest of which date from 1790
Church of Ireland records from their inception to 1922
Presbyterian records from their inception to 1922
Civil records from their inception to 1922
Computerised directories
Wills Gravestone inscriptions and other sources
The centre is open to the public Monday to Saturday and callers are welcome. There is a small genealogical library for consultation and a compressive selection of books on genealogy and Armagh. Visitors to Armagh not only have their family tree traced but they can avail of the chance to have genealogical tour planned around their family history.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:13 am
My grandmother was Margaret Mcconnell whos father Charles was born in Markethill Armagh &was brought to England by his parents settling in the North East.Charles had other children including Rose Mcconnell who was authoress Catherine Cooksons Grandmother.I hope someday to visit the area & also Co.Louth which is the area from which my paternal greatgrandfather came.