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James McKeown and Catherine McConachie © Very little is known about James and Katherine, as Irish records are notoriously had to find. We do know that the Mckeowns were mostly fishermen and they lived on the edge of Lough Neagh, in Northern Ireland, and were most likely Protestant. Lough Neagh, is a freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. Of the six counties of Northern Ireland, five border the shores of Lough Neagh. Antrim sits on the eastern & northern side; Down to the south-east; Armagh to the south; Tyrone to the west; and Londonderry on the northern part of the west. The lake, which supplies 40% of Northern Ireland’s water, is the biggest lake on the entire island of Ireland, the biggest by area in the United Kingdom, and the biggest by area in the British Isles. Its name comes from Irish: Loch nEachach, meaning ‘Lake of Eachaidh’, although today it is usually spelt Loch nEathach in Irish. Legend has it that the giant Finn McCool, in a fight with a rival giant, scooped up a vast handful of earth so creating Lough Neagh. Finn then threw the handful of earth towards England, but it fell short into the Irish Sea and became the Isle of Man. Research carried out on my behalf indicate James was born around 1790, and that he married Catherine McConachie about 1830. Catherine was born around 1795. It is assumed they were both were born in County Armagh, and also married there. Situated approximately 50km south-south-west of Belfast, Armagh, pronounced 'ar-MAH', from Irish Ard Mhacha, meaning ‘Macha's height’, is the county town of County Armagh in Northern Ireland, as well as a Civil Parish. In late prehistoric times and at the dawn of history, Armagh was an important populated area in the kingdom of Ulster. Up to the 4th Century AD, the effective capital of the kingdom was the fortress of Emain Mhacha, (the site known as Navan Fort). But, following the decline of Ulster in the 4th Century, Emain Mhacha lost its importance; and Ard Mhacha became the principal political centre. The remains of Emhain Mhacha are now a major tourist attraction. Armagh gained added importance after St. Patrick made it his metropolitan ‘see’ in the 5th Century. An ‘episcopal see’ is, in the usual meaning of the phrase, the area of a bishop's ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The term ‘see’ is also used for the town where the cathedral or the bishop's residence is located. Armagh is still the ecclesiastical capital of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland today. The site of two cathedrals, both on hills and both named after Saint Patrick, Armagh is one of the few cities in the world which is home to two cathedrals of the same name. Information on his son Robert's marriage certificate2 give James’ occupation as Fisherman. Parish Records, of the area around Lough Neagh, failed to find any children before 1830, but many Fishermen would have moved around according to the seasons and availability of fish. However, there are records which suggest James & Katherine had at least five children: John c1832, Catherine c1834; Samuel c1836, he married Elizabeth Cassells 1864; Mary Ann c1838; and Robert c1843. It appears most of these were baptized in Armagh. Research as above suggests James died in Armagh at the estimated age of 80, and he was buried in Derrytagh Armagh, on 21st December, 1871. Catherine died in Armagh, at the age of 78, and was buried in Derrytagh on 4th December, 18731. To-date no documentation for James or Catherine, other than the burial record for Catherine, and the marriage record of son Robert, has been sighted.
References: 1. Parish Burial Record Armagh Burials 1873 Copy provided by Ann Huth 2. Parrish Marriage Record Armagh Marriages 1870 Copy provided by Ann Huth
Other Sources: County Armagh https://www.nijobs.com/careeradvice/history-of-armagh Lough Neagh http://www.discoverloughneagh.com/Heritage Marriage & Death Certificates of children Oral history from family members
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