Find Ancestors

PORTERS in BELFAST (and CRAWFORDS) William Porter was my grandfather b. 11.11.1880 and I sort of know about him . What I really need to know is his parents WILLIAM PORTER and HARRIET CRAWFORD. Religion protestant, William married Harriet Crawford, religion unknown, at age 19. Engineer Whiteabbey Mill. (County Antrim) Died Whiteabbey at age 31. Buried Carnmoney Cemetery. He died when son Billy was about 4 and his wife Harriet 4 years later. Daughter Sarah, then aged 12, raised herself and her brothers with the help of a neighbour. William's and Harriet's families had disowned them when they married and it's not clear whether they refused to help or the children refused to accept it. Son Billy never wanted to and never did talk about who the families were or why they disowned their children for marrying, but did indicate that one or both families were rich and powerful. It is also known that 'they sang together, very well known'. Whether this means music hall, churches, whatever, we don't know. Son William was a keen and acomplished musician all his life, and this tendency seems to run in the family. Family tradition has it that an ancestor was Joshua Porter and was mayor of Belfast If any part of this rings any bells, please let me know Thanks, Peter Hedley