I had been thinking for a while about my mothers side of the family. She was born Margaret McCormick and lived in Ballycastle Co Antrim in Northern Ireland. As a child growing up I didn’t really know much about my mothers side of the family.Yes, i knew who my aunties and uncles were, but as for great aunts, uncles and grandparents I didn’t know who they were as they had died before I had been born or shortly after so I never got to know any of them.
I think for me looking into the family tree is all about identify and finding out about not only your family but who you are as a person. We can go through life not really knowing who we are like or take after.
Here I feature first the McNaul family. My grandmother on my mothers side was called Margaret May McNaul. She was born on May 29th 1898.
Her father was called John McNaul, John was born about 1857, the child of William.
Her mother was called Ellen McNeilly, Ellen was born on about April 6, 1856 daughter of Henry and Elizabeth .
John and Ellen married in Ballymoney on November 26th 1876. They had the following children: John,Patrick, Mary, Bridget, Francis, Anne, Hannah, who we believe may be the same person as they were both born in the same year and we can only find information on Anne, which includes a birth certificate. James, Daniel, Elizabeth, Nellie and Margaret May.
Children Of John and Ellen McNaul (McNeilly)
John McNaul was born on April 2, 1878, in Loughguile, Antrim, Northern Ireland, his He had one son with Catherine Millar. He died on April 16, 1944, in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, at the age of 66.
Patrick McNaul was born on February 15, 1880, in Antrim, Northern Ireland. He married Ann Sheridan in 1913 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. They had one child during their marriage.
Mary McNaul was born about 1881, in Antrim, Northern Ireland, She married James Farrel on July 15, 1904, in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. She died on October 19, 1957, in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, at the age of 76.
Bridget McNaul was born about October 1883, in Antrim, Northern Ireland, She married Edward Farrell on November 6, 1925, in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. She died on May 12, 1951, in Shotts Western District, Lanarkshire, at the age of 67.
Francis McNaul was born on October 24, 1885, in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Cannot find any records for Francis.
Anne McNaul was born on January 4, 1888, in Ballycastle, Antrim. Cannot find any records for Anne.
Hannah McNaul was born about 1888. She married James McAulay in 1909 in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. I am unsure if Hannah and Anne are the same person. It could be that in Ireland you would be called Hannah for Anne. The two children were born less than a year apart so it could be possible.
James McNaul was born on April 15, 1890, in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Poor little James died on July 25, 1890, within a year of his birth. God Bless.
Daniel McNaul was born about 1892, in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Cannot find any records for Daniel.
Elizabeth McNaul was born on February 27, 1894, in Antrim, Northern Ireland, She married John McCloy on January 29, 1919. They had nine children in 16 years. She died in 1972 in Antrim, Northern Ireland, at the age of 78. Elizabeth’s children are: Daniel, John “Sean” Patrick, Mary, Bridget, James and Elizabeth. After talking to my Aunty Eileen my mums sister she confirmed that Mary and Bridget both lived in Coventry. I can remember as a child visiting my uncles, Patrick and Thomas my mums brothers and my mum saying she was going to visit her cousin.
Nellie McNaul was born about 1897. She married Joe mcAllistar, ballintoy area they had 5 boys, Jonny Donal , Frank,Paddy and Joe and two daughters Annie and Eileen ,Eileen died as a child. Their home place was called clar in glenshesk.
Finally my gran. Margaret May McNaul was born on May 29, 1898, in Antrim, Northern She married Alexander McCormick on February 11, 1918, in Ballycastle, Antrim, Northern Ireland. They had 10 children during their marriage, George, John, Alexander, Francis, Patrick, Thomas, Charles, Margaret, Mary and Eileen.She died on April 10, 1970, in Antrim, Antrim, Northern Ireland, at the age of 71, and was buried in Ballycastle, Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Within a matter of a month or so I have gone from knowing very little to all of the above. I hope that anyone wanting to research their family tree will give it a go. It is hard work, but very rewarding. I hope that my family enjoy reading this and getting to know more about our roots.
Next to Come is my grandfather on my mother’s side the McCormick family.
