Pre-1864 deaths

Civil registration of deaths in Ireland began in 1864 (England & Wales, 1837; Scotland 1855). Thus finding deaths before 1864 requires some lateral thinking. Newspapers provide a most useful source in this regard but like wills generally only record the more affluent of society. Workhouse registers also provide an important source of pre-1864 deaths, as do church registers where they exist.

The Will Calendars at the PRONI contain surviving wills from 1858 and give the date of death and probate for the deceased. The search functions allows flexibility to search the dates of death, and example, below is a list of all the wills relating to Newtownlimavady from those deceased 1858-1864. 

NAME AND DATE OF DEATH

Alexander, James 16 Jan 1861

Allison, Robert 8 Jun 1862

Boyle, Edward 10 Aug 1861

Cairns, William 28 Mar 1859

Craig, Alexander 12 Nov 1862

Doherty, William 18 Apr 1860

Hamilton, Elizabeth 13 Jul 1858

Holmes, Catherine 13 Oct 1858

McCurry, Mary 20 Jan 1859

McLaughlin, James 26 Oct 1862

Moore, James 11 Feb 1861

Murray, James 31 Jan 1861

Patton, Mary 20 Apr 1861

Proctor, Robert 7 Aug 1862

Sherrard, Michael 7 Jul 1860

https://apps.proni.gov.uk/WillsCalendar_IE/WillsSearch.aspx

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