My father, John Steele, was born in 1881 in Craigs, Ballymena.
His father was Robert Steele and his mother was Sarah Jane Kilpatrick. He had three sisters, Alice, Sarah and Mary and he may have had five brothers one of whom I believe was called James - the others I do not know.

His eldest brother emigrated to the United States during the 1890's and I understand the family received a letter from him after his arrival in New York to tell them that he had arrived safely but had just heard that there had been a gold strike in California and he was heading out there.

That was the last that was heard of him.
My father went to Scotland, I believe in 1901, and obtained work as a steelsmelter with Stewarts & Lloyds, Clydesdale steelworks in Mossend, Lanarkshire, where he worked for 50years before dying at two months short of his 88th birthday in 1969.
He had 11 of a family - six sons and five girls and I am the only survivor.

I have recently come into some of the family records, birth, marriage and death certificates and have been trying for some time to trace my ancestry through various channels, without success.

Irish records appear to be almost non existent having apparently been destroyed for various reasons over the last 100 years.
As my father had 32 grandchildren I would like to be able to give them some information on their family history before I pass on.

If there is any way I can get in touch with any relatives still living in the Ballymena area or Co. Antrim, I would be very pleased to hear about it.
Any help you can give me would be gratefully received.

Yours etc.,
Tom F. Steele,
Gordondale,
Deebank,
Banchory,
AB31 6PQ.
Telephone01330 823786.