I love genealogy. Over the last few years I have managed to trace my ancestors on both sides of my family back a couple of hundred years. I have even managed to locate long-lost cousins and solve one or two family mysteries, Who Do You Think You Are? style. The biggest mystery of all though is not in my own family tree, but in my husband's.
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| Neil Armstrong 1930 - 2012 |
My mother-in-law's mother was a lady called Florence Armstrong. I have been able to trace her family back two hundred years here in Dromahair, and have traced some cousins in the U.S. and in Australia. The family legend persists however, that there is a connection to the great and recently departed Neil Armstrong. As yet, I have not been able to find any evidence for this, and I'm sure every Armstrong family in Ireland has a similar legend, but the absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence, as they say, and so the search continues.
It is known that Neil Armstrong's great-great-grandfather was born in Ireland about 1730. The family originated in Scotland, but settled in or around Irvinestown in County Fermanagh. Is it such a stretch of the imagination to suggest that the Dromahair Armstrongs might have had similar origins? Genealogy in Ireland is not always easy, as our records would not be as intact as those of our nearest neighbour, but the idea of being related to the first man on the moon is enough to encourage the most faint-hearted of researchers. Perhaps one day I will find that evidence.
I, along with many others, well recall that day in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong uttered his immortal words "That's one small step for man.....one giant leap for mankind." He was one of a small band of men to have walked upon the surface of the moon. He was a self-effacing hero, an inspirational figure to many of my generation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he were also a man with Dromahair connections? Either way I think it fitting to salute Neil Armstrong as his family requested, with a tribute called Wink At The Moon. The next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.
3355 It’s sometime since I mentioned “Irish brick walls” so here is a really interesting one for you to get your teeth into! The last generation to be born in Ireland was JOHN A*, who was born in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, Ireland in 1805. This is Dr John Armstrong who lived and worked in Gravesend, Kent, as Physician, Surgeon and Magistrate. Dr John A* apparently wrote his memoirs C1875, an MS autobiography, entitled "Recollections of My Life”. Has any member come across this, because we would dearly like to see a copy of it? His father was CHRISTOPHER A*, also born Manorhamilton, 1769, m Catherine Barber of Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo, C1803. He was known as 'Bawn' (Fair), and was a shopkeeper in Manorhamilton. He had a brother, SIMON A*. His Will was made in 1842. (This information comes from a Rev. John Armstrong, of Lislea, Kenagh, Co. Longford, in 1940.) The question is does anyone have reference to any of his siblings? Dr John A*'s siblings, as far as is known, are ANNE, ISABELLE (Bell), b 1807, ELIZABETH, b 1813 (married Duke PARKE), JANE (m Robert BAMFORD and went to America), CATHERINE, MARY and CHRISTOPHER, b 1817 (m Deborah NIXON).Christopher’s (1769) father was ROBERT A*, known as "Gonough" (Rough, Strong), b 1736, Tawnyfeacle, Cloonclare, Co. Leitrim. He married Ann CURNEAN of Gurtermoan, Co. Leitrim. He was the eldest son. His siblings were CHRISTOPHER A* (known as "Goura"=Sour, Ill-tempered), b 1738, d 1799, married Martha Shaw, lived Faughry, Co. Leitrim. They had at least 5 children - 3 sons who went to Canada, ROBERT FECHERY A*, b 1772, d 1846 Ontario, CHRISTOPHER A*, and SIMON A*, b 1773 - THOMAS A* of Lurgan, b bef. 1775, and ANNE A*. Other siblings were THOMAS, ANNA, SIMON and ELIZABETH. The generation before this is where it appears to have a missing link! The father of those in above may have been a SIMON A*, or ROBERT A*, with possible siblings CHRISTOPHER, ELLEN and MARGARET. Anyone any ideas? The generation back from this is apparently THOMAS A* of Aughavore, m Elizabeth IRWIN, d 1735. From here, it is uncertain, again, but there is some connection to MARTIN A* of Carrickmakeegan, d 1690, whose father it is believed was JOHN A*, and was possibly the son of William (Christie's Will). Surely someone can give us some leads on these Irish Armstrongs who appear the have spread across the globe! Hope this maybe of interest to you.
ReplyDeleteI too may be related to Neil Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteTrying to locate a full family tree of Neil Armstrong
Claire from Co. Fermanagh
Any help or info most appreciated. Please email me: gringosss@hotmail.co.uk
This info below may be of help
3355 It’s sometime since I mentioned “Irish brick walls” so here is a really interesting one for you to get your teeth into! The last generation to be born in Ireland was JOHN A*, who was born in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, Ireland in 1805. This is Dr John Armstrong who lived and worked in Gravesend, Kent, as Physician, Surgeon and Magistrate. Dr John A* apparently wrote his memoirs C1875, an MS autobiography, entitled "Recollections of My Life”. Has any member come across this, because we would dearly like to see a copy of it? His father was CHRISTOPHER A*, also born Manorhamilton, 1769, m Catherine Barber of Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo, C1803. He was known as 'Bawn' (Fair), and was a shopkeeper in Manorhamilton. He had a brother, SIMON A*. His Will was made in 1842. (This information comes from a Rev. John Armstrong, of Lislea, Kenagh, Co. Longford, in 1940.) The question is does anyone have reference to any of his siblings? Dr John A*'s siblings, as far as is known, are ANNE, ISABELLE (Bell), b 1807, ELIZABETH, b 1813 (married Duke PARKE), JANE (m Robert BAMFORD and went to America), CATHERINE, MARY and CHRISTOPHER, b 1817 (m Deborah NIXON).Christopher’s (1769) father was ROBERT A*, known as "Gonough" (Rough, Strong), b 1736, Tawnyfeacle, Cloonclare, Co. Leitrim. He married Ann CURNEAN of Gurtermoan, Co. Leitrim. He was the eldest son. His siblings were CHRISTOPHER A* (known as "Goura"=Sour, Ill-tempered), b 1738, d 1799, married Martha Shaw, lived Faughry, Co. Leitrim. They had at least 5 children - 3 sons who went to Canada, ROBERT FECHERY A*, b 1772, d 1846 Ontario, CHRISTOPHER A*, and SIMON A*, b 1773 - THOMAS A* of Lurgan, b bef. 1775, and ANNE A*. Other siblings were THOMAS, ANNA, SIMON and ELIZABETH. The generation before this is where it appears to have a missing link! The father of those in above may have been a SIMON A*, or ROBERT A*, with possible siblings CHRISTOPHER, ELLEN and MARGARET. Anyone any ideas? The generation back from this is apparently THOMAS A* of Aughavore, m Elizabeth IRWIN, d 1735. From here, it is uncertain, again, but there is some connection to MARTIN A* of Carrickmakeegan, d 1690, whose father it is believed was JOHN A*, and was possibly the son of William (Christie's Will). Surely someone can give us some leads on these Irish Armstrongs who appear the have spread across the globe! Hope this maybe of interest to you.
I have just started out on tracing my Armstrong of Dromahair roots.
ReplyDeleteI am a son of Simon Armstrong of Spring Villa ( known nowadays as Sradoon)--which sold in the 1950's to the Irwin family--who still live there--or descendants do!
My grandfather on that side was William Armstrong, m Elizabeth McLoghery ( spelling to confirm), and his father was a Simon Armstrong. They came to Stradoon from Shrivdallah near Manorhamilton, which I am currently tracing--as there may also be a change in name or a wrong spelling on this.
I, too, have been told of the Neil Armstrong and have been told to look at the ears being a bit low on the side of the head a family link..??
I need to crack on with this as I am nearer 68 than 67....and Oh Yes! One thing! My sons name is NEIL Armstrong...bit of a coincidence or what..??