Meet some of the famous (and not so famous) people of who have had an influence on our history and the lives of so many. Also, lets share our experience of tracing your family tree
James McDonnell MD devoted his time and eminent talents to the work of humanity in delivering medical services to Belfast’s poor
A famous resident of north Belfast is Gordon Thompson, better known as Galloper Thompson, the phantom horseman!
Joy Street is one of the best surviving examples of Georgian architecture in the heart of Belfast with a historic link to Charlie Chaplin
Historical official records & documents sometimes refer to long-forgotten old Irish occupations. We list some of the more unusual.
Sophia Rosamond Praeger, born on 17/4/1867, in the town of Holywood near Belfast was destined to become a trail-blazing artist & sculptress
In 1839, Ireland was hit by a hurricane that caused devastation throughout the country. Nothing before or since comes close to the “Big Wind”
Naoise O’Haughan , known as Ness or Neesy, was born in 1691 at Skerry in County Antrim and went on to become Antrim’s Gentleman Outlaw
The story of Saint Olcan and his Holy Well – for centuries a source of hope to pilgrims and those suffering. Every rag holds someone’s pain
Vere Foster contributed enormously to Ireland’s famine relief, emigration support, charity, health & education only to die forgotten and poor
It is a tribute to John Lavery’s talent that he was to rise from the humblest of beginnings in Belfast to become a world famous artist
Sherlock Holmes is arguably the smartest fictional detective in literature but what connects him to real life Ulster tailor, John McGee?
The Dunville Family had an important impact on Belfast in terms of commerce (Whiskey), charitable works, sport and a popular Belfast Park
Anyone who reads George Benn’s History of Belfast will definitely agree with his appellation ‘the first great historian of Belfast’.
O’Hanlon’s Letters, collected in “Walks Among the Poor of Belfast”, is a fascinating insight into the lives of Belfast’s poor in 1852
Francis Joseph Bigger was one of the foremost figures in the antiquarian, historical and literary life of Ulster
Street Directories are a useful primary source of information on ancestors as they list householder names and occupations & other statistics.
Newspaper Obituaries can be very informative in genealogy detailing where a funeral takes place, the cemetery and surviving family members.
Harry Ferguson was a pioneer – working on motorcycles, planes, tractors and Formula 1 racing. His ‘wee grey Fergie’ remains a legend!
In researching your family tree you are likely to come across some medical terminology that seems odd to modern ears. Terms like Apoplexy, Corruption, Gravel, Idiot, Jail Fever and White Swelling seem baffling but have simply been updated as medical science improves.
St Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. A fifth century missionary, he is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.