Elder & McGilligan Genealogy

Recently a gentleman tracked me down through the Elder DNA project. He needs help tracking down graveyards or cemeteries near Belfast International Airport and Lough Neagh. If anyone can help he’d be extremely grateful. He plans to visit Northern Ireland near the end of February. Below is part of his email.

I know that a branch of my Family was in Antrim about 1700 before one of them went to America. I am visiting Antrim next month and was wondering if you had any clues about Cemeteries, Graveyards in the area between Belfast International Airport and Lough Neagh? My “Relations” lived in Artemore which I am told by Belfast University is now Ardmore Townland.

Killelagh Parish Church is located in Swatragh, Co. Londonderry off the Main Street of Swatragh (A29) just after the bridge. According to my mother, the land for this church building was donated by the McGilligan family.

Glendermott Parish Church is located between Drumahoe, Co. Londonderry and the Waterside area of Londonderry. Nearby roads are the Glenshane Road (A6) and Church Brae.

Aghadowey Presbyterian Church is located in Aghadowey, Co. Londonderry. Gilmour Barr Elder (-1892) is buried in the graveyard behind the church building.

Gilmour Barr Elder who died 22 Feb 1892 is buried in Aghadowey Presbyterian Church.

Grave inscription: Erected by John Elder in memory of his brother Gilmour Barr Elder who died the 22nd February 1892 aged 21 years.

Robert Craig Elder died 24 Aug 1964 aged 52 years. His wife Margaret Jane passed away 7 Mar 1978 aged 65 years. The grave is located at the Derry City Council Altnagelvin Cemetry, Co. Londonderry.

St. Mura’s Parish Church is located in Fahan, Co. Donegal. The church is within the Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry & Raphoe in the Parish of Fahan Upper. David Andrew Elder (-1984) is buried in the graveyard behind the church building.

David Andrew Elder died as an infant on 24 Jul 1984 and is buried at St. Mura’s Parish Church, Fahan, Co. Donegal.

Robert Elder (1836-1910) of Inch Island, Co. Donegal was a leading figure of the Burt Faith Defenders (L.O.L. 1927). The Inch Island Masonic Hall is just down the road from the Inch Presbyterian Church.

Robert Elder was born 16 Mar 1836 in Drumagosker, Newtownlimavady, Co. Londonderry. He died 27 Jan 1910 on Inch Island, Co. Donegal. His family grave is located at the Inch Presbyterian Church on Inch Island, Co. Donegal.