Dwight looking for local roots

A CANADIAN man is looking Leader readers to help him to search for his family roots in County Down.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Jul 2012, 09:00 BST

Dwight Turner, from Burlington in Ontario, said, “My great-great-great grandparents, Alexander Martin and his wife Mary (last name unknown) left Ireland about 1850 and moved to Newcastle District, Ontario, Canada. Family tradition indicates they were Presbyterians and may have originated from near Newry. They had at least four children:

“James, born in 1812, married Elizabeth Ann Campbell and came to Newcastle District in 1841, departing from Warrenpoint

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“John, born May 4, 1820, married Elizabeth McAlpin (daughter of James McAlpin) on June 17, 1847 at Newmills Presbyterian Church in Tullylish Parish near Banbridge. John worked in the 1840’s as a butler and coachman for a squire (possibly a cotton merchant), a Mr. Gibson, in Swinton, near Manchester, Lancashire

“Rachel, born May 8, 1824 married Francis Dougherty and moved to Newcastle District about 1850

“Henry, may have fought in the United States Civil War 1861-65 but is not known to have moved to Canada.

“Either Alexander or Mary is closely related to Thomas Rutherford (1785-1865) of Fairnington, Scotland but I do not know how. Any information about my Irish ancestors would be very much appreciated.”

If you have any knowledge about John’s family tree get in touch with the Leader and we’ll pass the information to Dwight.