The Fultons of Lisburne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Overview

The following information and linked pages shown to the left will present a case to show the following:

1. That the ancestors of Robert Fulton of Steamboat Fame probably came from a branch originating among the Fultons of Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

2. That Robert Fulton of Steamboat fame's Father and probably Grandfather and extended family did in fact come to Pennsylvania from County Kilkenny in Ireland.

3. That the following American Fulton Families are also very likely branches of the Fultons of Lisburn and therefore close relations to the Family of Steamboat Robert:

* The Fulton Families from Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA.; Little Brittain and Drumore Townships, Lancaster County, PA.; York County, PA.; Cumberland County, PA.; Washington County, PA.; and of the Northern Part of Cecil and the John Fulton of Lower Bush River Hundred Family of Harford Counties in Maryland.

* The Fulton Families of early (approx 1739) Augusta County, Virginia

* The Fulton Families of early (before 1735) Craven County, South Carolina and Georgia

* The Fulton Families of Rising Sun, Indiana

* The Fulton Families of Orange and Stokes Counties, North Carolina.

* The Fulton Families of Colrain, Massachusetts arriving about 1730.

These Fulton Families prospered and multiplied and spread across America. I strongly suspect that Fulton branches of the Lisburn group continued to come to America through the mid 1800's. Although I don't believe the evidence is quite as strong for the connection as with the above Family lines, I also have come to believe my own line from William Fulton, born in or near Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1833, was also of a branch of this family.

Methodology and Evidence

The information and conclusions that follow are based largely on circumstantial evidence. I present it for what its worth. I am not offended by any who disagree with my methodology or conclusions and I welcome suggestions, additions, or critiques. In genealogy and Family history we all want the "smoking gun" proof. The DNA, finger print, or eye witness testimony which in genealogy are items such as Birth Certificates, Church Registers, Wills, Deeds, etc., are the "smoking gun" evidence we would prefer to have. However, particularly when researching families in the mid 1700's or earlier, we often don't have that "smoking gun" evidence, and frankly we are not likely to ever find it.

The good news is, I believe, that just as in a court today, a case may be built and "proved" by circumstantial evidence, I think a strong case can be built in genealogy by using this type of evidence. My analysis that follows on the linked pages uses the following circumstantial evidence to build a case that I think is fairly compelling:

Frequency of Surnames

Frequency of First Names

Location Names

Fulton Families Living Close to Each Other

General History or Peoples, Migrations, and Locations

So here goes. Clink on the next link in the left hand column to proceed.