Killyleagh And District Family History Society Meets

Killeagh residents learn about their roots and family histories

Ken Tait, spokesperson for the Killyleagh and District Family History Society, said: “Our 2023-24 season kicked off at the beginning of September and we had a good start with a number of new faces and visitors at the meeting.

“The occasional pieces in Down News seem to help put the branch in people’s minds – and the more the merrier!

“Our first meeting was entertaining. It was a talk by local man James Hanna, who’s family still live in the Killyleagh, although he lives and works in Belfast now.

“James’ talk was entitled ‘The Townlands around Killyleagh ‘, and focussed on his interest in a particular small piece of land in the area of Clea Lough Road.

“James was keen to establish who owned the land. His family have often spent leisure time there through his lifetime.

“They gave it a name – Jurassic Park – because of its apparent undisturbed state. 

“Last Wednesday evening members of  the branch as well as some guests and friends visited Ballygowan and the fantastic Motoring Memories Heritage Museum, established by Raymond Walls many years ago.

“This museum is a gem for anyone whether a petrol-head or not, and is packed with motoring memorabilia from the dawn of the motoring age.

“Combined with Raymond’s stories of how the collections came about, and how long it took for him to collect particular pieces, this was a very enjoyable visit for all who made it, and another visit is almost certainly going to be planned for the future.

“Our next branch meeting is to be on Monday 2nd October starting at the new start time of 7.30pm, in our regular venue, Killyleagh Masonic Hall, at 50 High Street, Killyleagh.“

Ken added: “Guests and visitors are always welcome, and voluntary contributions towards the tea fund are gratefully accepted.

“Our speaker for the October meeting will be Ann Morrissey, with her presentation entitled ‘My Family Tree‘, in which Ann will tell how she made her discoveries and collated her family story to date.”

Enquiries regarding Killyleagh & District Family History Society, a branch of the North of Ireland Family History Society, can be obtained by contacting branch secretary, Ken Tait, at:

[email protected]