Our Gelvin heritage

[Robyn and John Brown]

Hello from New Zealand

We are trying to trace my husband's Irish ancestry and the oldest record we have is for his great-grandfather, Absolom Browne, who appears on the 1901 Irish census as residing at 7 Drumaduff, Gelvin, Londonderry. On the 1911 census his address is 1 Ballyness, Galvin, Londonderry. Absolom married Annie Mullan and they had 13 children, one of these being my husband's grandfather Joseph Patrick, born 27/1/1884 in Drumaduff, who was a postman before emigrating to New Zealand with his brother Johnnie probably around 1905. Absolom Browne was born around 1843 and died in 1930 and is buried with Annie in the Balteagh Presbyterian Church grounds. Annie was born around 1853 and died in 1929. There are various spellings for Absolom's christian name and the 'e' seems to have been dropped from the Brown name once Joseph came to NZ. 

How lucky we are to be able to search by the internet which led us to the Gelvin Community Assn site. Perhaps someone may be able to enlighten us further regarding our family history and we're looking forward to reading the book 'Gelvin The Home Place' which will be an interesting insight into the lives of our ancestors. Regards, Robyn

[Robert Morrison Stewart]

Hi Robyn and John,

                           I have just come across your post regarding Absolom Browne. I know a little about this man and I will be happy to pass on what info I have and his movements between 1858 and 1912

Regards Morrison

[Victor Irwin]

I have just come across Robyn & John Brown,s post of Oct  2013 & it might be of interest to them to know that Absolom Brown,s  daughter Annie(known as Nellie)married  my uncle Robert Irwin in 1915(see Emerald Ancestors site).They resided for some time near Dungiven & then moved to Coleraine . Their family were Margaret,Joe,Bobbie ,Sadie & Nan. The first three are deceased but Sadie & Nan still reside in Coleraine and Nan will be due to celebrate her 100th birthday in June 2016.If you require further information will be pleased to assist.

Victor Irwin