Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
Pioneers of St. Clair County, Michigan - Person Sheet
NameHans HAMILTON 
95
95Birthabt 1750, Northern Ireland
Memobased on birthdate of Elizabeth
FlagsBrick Wall
Individual Notes
• Reputed (family tradition) to be descended from the second son of Viscount Clandeboye.95
• There seems to be absolutely no possibility that Hans Hamilton, father of Elizabeth, descended from the 1st or 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil of the first creation as otherwise these titles would surely have devolved upon him.1736, p 7
• There seems to be absolutely no possibility that Hans Hamilton, father of Elizabeth, descended from the 1st or 2nd Earl of Clanbrassil of the first creation as otherwise these titles would surely have devolved upon him.1736, p 7
Research
• Burke's Irish Family Records; 941.5 D22 bur 1976.
• With regard to the Hamilton family it would probably be best for us to start with your known ancestry rather than attempt to deduce a pedigree from the Viscounts Clandeboye. In genealogical research one must always work backwards, proving each link, and any attempt to work "downwards" always fails.
You probably are aware the Clandeboy is an area in County Down and many Hamilton families settled in this county after 1600. Hans also, as a Christian name, was very popular in Co. Down and for both of these reasons it seems likely that your family may have originated in this County. However, I must point out that Hamilton is a very common surname in Ulster and is found literally in all 9 counties that compose the province.
You suggest that Hans Hamilton was born circa 1760 and his daughter Elizabeth married a David Nelson before 1813. The best starting point in this case would be for us to ascertain if any Hans Hamilton occurs on the 1796 Flax Premiums as a recipient of the concession of one free spinning wheel per 1/4 acre of flax cultivated. The linen industry (linen is produced from Flax) was very prominent in Ulster in 1796 and the returns can be used as a primitive census. If a Hans Hamilton is listed his parish of residence will be given. We could also compile a list of all those parishes in which both Hamilton and nelson occur in common. Nelson is much rarer than Hamilton as a surname and thus might give us a good lead as to the families place of residence.
Another way forward would be for us to examine the Grantor's Index to the Registry of Deeds, circa 1810-1815, to see if David Nelson sold any leasehold or freehold land in Ireland prior to or soon after emigrating. If such deeds could be located they would give us information on his Irish address.
State Registration of marriages in Ireland only began in 1845. Prior to this date records were maintained by Parish and there are no master indices. We could, however, examine the Diocesan Marriage Licence Bonds for a Nelson/Hamilton marriage. If found this would at least narrow down the Diocese of research.1302
• With regard to the Hamilton family it would probably be best for us to start with your known ancestry rather than attempt to deduce a pedigree from the Viscounts Clandeboye. In genealogical research one must always work backwards, proving each link, and any attempt to work "downwards" always fails.
You probably are aware the Clandeboy is an area in County Down and many Hamilton families settled in this county after 1600. Hans also, as a Christian name, was very popular in Co. Down and for both of these reasons it seems likely that your family may have originated in this County. However, I must point out that Hamilton is a very common surname in Ulster and is found literally in all 9 counties that compose the province.
You suggest that Hans Hamilton was born circa 1760 and his daughter Elizabeth married a David Nelson before 1813. The best starting point in this case would be for us to ascertain if any Hans Hamilton occurs on the 1796 Flax Premiums as a recipient of the concession of one free spinning wheel per 1/4 acre of flax cultivated. The linen industry (linen is produced from Flax) was very prominent in Ulster in 1796 and the returns can be used as a primitive census. If a Hans Hamilton is listed his parish of residence will be given. We could also compile a list of all those parishes in which both Hamilton and nelson occur in common. Nelson is much rarer than Hamilton as a surname and thus might give us a good lead as to the families place of residence.
Another way forward would be for us to examine the Grantor's Index to the Registry of Deeds, circa 1810-1815, to see if David Nelson sold any leasehold or freehold land in Ireland prior to or soon after emigrating. If such deeds could be located they would give us information on his Irish address.
State Registration of marriages in Ireland only began in 1845. Prior to this date records were maintained by Parish and there are no master indices. We could, however, examine the Diocesan Marriage Licence Bonds for a Nelson/Hamilton marriage. If found this would at least narrow down the Diocese of research.1302