The Barber Family of Co. Sligo, Ireland

This site contains information about the Barber family of County Sligo, Ireland. More specifically, those that originated in Drumcliffe Parish, beginning in 1656 A.D. Many of these branches are documented here in Baptism, Marriage and Death records. Photos of homes, Sligo places, gravestones, current family members and some of their ancestors are displayed.

I have constructed the site with general places of interest, then specific family locations by townland. Each page will have Census information from 1749 (Diocese of Elphin), 1858 (Griffiths), 1901 and 1911, plus , birth, marriage and death, stories, maps and photos (if available). Much of this research, information and photographs are from my trips to Ireland in 1979, 1981, 1984, 1997, 1999 and 2002. Over this 23 year span I have noticed the effects of erosion, acid rain and climate on the gravestones and other historic sites. Hopefully, I can display some of that history here on the world wide web for future generations. Please note my email address at the bottom of this page. To minimize internet spam robots, substitute the <at> with @ symbol and send me your suggestions, photos, records, stories or questions. Enjoy! Regards, Bill Barber of New Hampshire, USA

Ben Bulben Mtn view from Muninane, Drumcliffe Parish, Co. Sligo, Ireland

The first person recorded in County Sligo, Ireland with a Barber (Barbour) surname, is recorded in 1656 AD. He was a disbanded Cromwellian soldier according to the Schedule of Officers, claiming as soldiers under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, MSS, Record Office, Kew, London. No given name can be found. Later in 1749, a census was taken called the Diocese of Elphin Census. In 1749, there were 7 Barber families recorded with 39 family members. These families were recorded in Drumcliffe Parish in the townlands of Rahelly, Cooldrumman, Gortarowey and Ballyminlan (Ballyweelin?). A townland is essentially a farm typically sized from 200 to 400 acres.

1749 Family Distribution:

After 1749, these families spread out into the neighboring townlands of Ballygilgan, Carney, Carrigans, Mullaghnaneane (Muninane), Cashelgarran, Barnarobin, Cartronmore, Ballyweelin and Ballincar by 1850. Then later into Rosses Lower and Cregg. Between 1772 and 1899 there were 178 Barber births recorded in Drumcliffe Parish.

While I am not sure we have a connection yet, earlier, coincidental Barber history is recorded in the adjacent County Donegal in this excerpt of the Muster Roll of 1630 (see complete document below):

Barony de Rapho

The Lady Conningham Widdow of Sir James Conningham, undertaker of 2,000 acres, her men and armes.

William Conningham, James Calquahan, Andrew mcCorkill, John mcCorkill, Tobias Hood, James Davye, Peter Starret, John mcquchowne, James Knox, Adam Garvance.

Swords and Pikes

James mcAdowe, ffyndlay Ewing, Dunkan mcffarlan, Ninian ffoulton, James Scot, William Rankin, Daniell Ramsay, Martin Galbreath, Patrick Porter

Swords and Snaphances

William mcIltherne, David Walker, John Barbor

Additional photos and documents may be viewed at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/wjbarbernh/

An interesting project has been started to correlate all of these different Barber families of Co. Sligo and determine their most common ancestor as well as their roots in England or Scotland. The Barber DNA Project utilizes the male Y-DNA markers to determine the Most Recent Common Ancestor. Check out and join the project at:

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/barber/

Bill Barber

wjbarbernh <at> gmail.com

It will be noted in the subsequent sections, that the Barber Family primarily settled in Drumcliffe Parish Townlands of Co. Sligo, beginning in 1656. A few others will be found in the Ballymote Parish section at the end of this web site.