| Adair Papers | Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Collection | |
|---|---|
Identifier |
D/3860, MIC/553 |
Description |
c.650 documents, c.75 photographs and 2 volumes, 1606-1928, deriving from the Adair family of Loughanmore, Donegore, Co. Antrim and from the related families of Clements of Clements Hill, Straid, Co. Antrim, Ellis of Prospect, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, and Crymble of Ballygallagh, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim, to the estates of whom the Adairs fell heir in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.The papers record births and deaths but consist mainly of title deeds, deeds of settlement, wills and leases relating to: property in Carrickfergus, Ahoghill, Portglenone, Ballyclare, Belfast, Bruslee, Coggrey, Donegore and 'Kneel', Co. Antrim; property at Ballygowan, Dromore, Edenderry, etc., Co. Down; property in Lurgan and in other places in Co. Armagh and also at Killymaddy, Co. Tyrone. There are a number of very early wills and probates such as that of Edward Clements of Straid, Co. Antrim, 1627 and the will and probate (both 1672) of Thomas Lea of His Majesty's Council Chamber, Dublin. The collection also includes some municipal material, 1609 and 1659-1833, relating to the county borough of Carrickfergus of which members of the family were frequently mayors.; and letters patent and financial. |
Strengths |
The collection's principal strength lies in the richness of the estate material for a large area of Co. Antrim covering three centuries. |
Physical Characteristics |
c720 items, 1606-1928, comprising a range of documents, volumes, maps and photographs occupying 20 PRONI boxes. |
Languages |
English |
Contents Date Range |
1606 - 1928 |
Collection Type |
Collection. Archive. Text. Image. |
Accrual |
Policy: Closed
Method: Purchase
Periodicity: Closed |
Access |
The collection is stored in secure, closed accommodation and can be requested for on-site consultation using an in-house document ordering system. It can only be consulted on microfilm, however ( under the reference MIC/553) because the original documents are closed to the public in order to ensure their long term preservation. Access is supervised and for research and/or reference purposes only. |
Description or Catalogue |
See PRONI reference D/3860 for catalogue of the papers. The catalogue is available for consultation in PRONI's Public Search Room. |
| Collector | |
|---|---|
Name |
The late Colonel C.W. Adair. |
History |
Descendant of Capt James Adair (d. 1685) originally of Galloway, a connection of Sir Robert Adair of Kinhilt and Ballymena. The Adair Family were a important landowning family in the Co. Antrim area from the 17th century onwards with successive generations playing their part in local politics, military affairs and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Interesting members include Charles Adair (1737-1810), who was a member of the Donegore Yeomanry and Infantry which was raised and drilled on the family's property, was held up by rebels during the 1798 Rebellion. Another member, Henry Adair, High Sheriff for Co. Antrim in 1871, was a principal in what is believed to have been the last duel fought in Ireland on 9 February 1841, near Belfast. |
| Owner | |
|---|---|
Organisation |
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
Role |
Government agency with responsibility for official and private records |
Telephone |
+44 (0)28 9025 5905 |
Fax |
+44 (0)28 9025 5999 |
History |
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is the official place of deposit for all public records in Northern Ireland and was established by Act of Parliamment in 1923 following the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921. PRONI is also the main repository in Northern Ireland for private records. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Name |
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland |
Address |
2 Titanic Boulevard |
Website |
|
Access Control |
The Record Office is open to the general public on weekdays between 9.15 am and 4.45 pm, with late night opening until 8.45 pm on Thursday evenings. The Office is closed on the main public holidays and is closed annually for two weeks late November/early December. All readers are required to register their membership on their first visit to the office for which some form of identification will be asked. Registration and admission to the office is free of charge to the public, although certain commercial users (i.e. solicitors, journalists, television reporters and professional genealogists) are subject to a fee. Disabled access facilities, self-service microfilm and a chargeable copying service are provided. |
Role |
Government agency with responsibility for official and private records |
Phone |
0442890534800 |