Monday, May 16, 2011

Scot Irish ancestors and the Belfast Newsletter

My favorite program at the NGS conference was about Scot Irish ancestors. David Rencher did a great job explaining the migration routes and providing some interesting tips on protestant migration patterns. For example, the Scots Irish usually immigrated as a group, either family, community or congregation. So when you are looking for someone look into the whole community there maybe a clue.

He mentioned three books that are all available at the library:

1. The colonial clergy of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina / by Frederick Lewis Weis. Local History only - can't check out

2. White servitude in colonial South Carolina.
by Smith, Warren B. Available for check-out.

3. The Scots-Irish in the Carolinas / by Billy Kennedy.
by Kennedy, Billy Available for check out

Rencher also shared an online database for the Belfast Newsletter (1737-1800)that I thought sounded fascinating. The scots irish immigrants informed their families back home that they had arrived safely through letters to the Belfast Newsletter. Being known for their frugality the immigrants sent one letter signed by several people. That certainly saved the price of a stamp!

If you have any scots-irish ancestors you might want to check this database to see if your ancestor is mentioned in the Belfast Newsletter.

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