Ever more families are becoming interested in discovering and uncovering their family history and tracing their roots.
Ever more families are becoming interested in discovering and uncovering their family history and tracing their roots. With this in mind, Antrim and Newtownabbey can provide a number of sources to help you in your search. Perhaps you are a taphophile, someone with an interest in cemeteries... in that case you’ll love Antrim and Newtownabbey. It has a treasure trove of fascinating graveyards, such as Mallusk Graveyard, the last resting place of several prominent United Irishmen, or take a look around the ancient headstones at Rashee Old Graveyard, near Ballyclare.
If you wish to delve into history and follow your ancestral path back through time, then there are several points of contact to help you unearth your family's past across the Borough. Maybe you have links in the Carnmoney area in particular? Sentry Hill houses a vast collection of photographs, manuscripts, letters and intriguing artefacts, many of which are on display in the house. The previous resident, William McKinney, was an authority on the history of local families in Carnmoney and carried out meticulous genealogical research on local families. William’s work can be a huge help to anyone researching family histories in the area and the staff at Sentry Hill are happy to assist with enquiries
Antrim Library Railway Street 028 9446 1942
Ballymena Local Studies 5 Pat’s Brae, Ballymena 028 2563 3950
Belfast Central Library Royal Avenue, Belfast 028 9050 9150
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints Holywood Road, Belfast 028 9076 9839
Linenhall Library 17 Donegall Place, Belfast 028 90 32 1707
The North of Ireland Family History Society Valley Business Centre 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey bookings@nifhs.org
Presbyterian Historical Society 26 College Green, Belfast 028 9072 7330
Public Records Office Northern Ireland 2 Titanic Boulevard, Belfast Family History Section 028 9053 4800
Ulster Historical Foundation The Corn Exchange, 3 Gordon Street, Belfast, BT1 2LG 028 9066 1988
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