North of Ireland Family History Society

Retracing Our Family's Journey from

Magheralin

via Waringstown

to Belfast

With hundreds of records of

Births, Deaths and Marriages

of people called Withers, McVeigh and McKinley

and many others

principally from Ireland

by

MICHAEL WITHERS

11, Earlswood Road

Belfast BT4 3DY

August 2002

028-90-471037

Dear Fellow Researcher,

OUR WITHERS' ODYESSEY, some 150,000 words, is the result of my search for information about my family which I have conducted since 1987. In that time I have discovered information about hundreds of individuals who have been born Withers, married a Withers, died a Withers, and hundreds of others who have been connected to us in some way, I have also discovered many resources for research in Co. Down, particularly in Magheralin Parish, but also elsewhere throughout Ireland.

In the near future I hope to offer a hard copy to each of the following:

• The Public Records Office (PRONI), 66 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast BT9 6NY,Ph. 029-9025-1318, e.mail: proni@doeni.gov.uk.

• The Linenhall Library, 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BTI 5GB,ph. 028-9032-1707, e.mail info@linenhall.com

• and to the North of Ireland Family History Society's Library,WWW.NIFHS.ORG.

If you would like a copy of this work, it is available on floppy disks:

Disk 1: Family memories of Belfast ca. 1895-1974

Disc 2: A history of the Donegall Pass Belfast ca. 1690-1870 giving hundreds of names, addresses and occupations.

Disc 3: My Withers family and those associated with us in Magheralin, Moira and Waringstown ca.1718-1895.

Disc 4: Other Withers Families and those associated with them throughout lreland since 1637.

- Each disk is priced £6 for an address anywhere in the U.K. and £7 for anywhere else. The set of four discs are available for £20 and £22 respectively. These prices include p. & p.

I have also just finished a transcription of Magheralin Parish Minutes Book 1: 1702-1781 & Acts of Vestry 1st April 1782 & 23rd March 1790.  To date I have transcribed over 200 pages. I have added information from other sources and comments and questions of my own.  The Minutes will be available on disks priced £6 for the UK and £7 elsewhere for the set including P&P.

I have also put the records of births, deaths and marriages in Magheralin from 25th March 1692 until 24th March 1696/7 on a database with the fields for surnames, first names, addresses, events and dates.  This too is priced at £6 for the UK and £7 elsewhere, including P&P.

I am continuing with my research and my work will be updated as information becomes available.  I would be delighted to receive comments, suggestions and information which I could include in my work.  However, I am not a professional researcher.  If you would like to contact one, PRONI keeps a list of people who are willing to undertake such research.

Good Hunting

Michael Withers

18012004