Description:
Larne and district can claim to be the cradle of the Ulster-Scots connection. It has been for centuries a main arrival point for immigrants from Scotland and a port of departure for emigrants, particularly transatlantic migrants. Its strong links with the sea-going trade are clearly reflected in the prominent families represented in Larne's graveyards. The most notable include the Chaines, Dixons, McGarels and Smileys who were not only successful merchants but were also generous benefactors of the town of Larne.
One of the features of East Antrim graveyards that illustrates the Ulster-Scots interest is the remarkable collection of coats of arms on the headstones. St Cedma's in Larne has about 40 of these, most of which had rubbings taken around 1900 when they were sharper, and which are reproduced in this volume. They are not official and registered armorial bearings, but rather arms which the Scottish families who settled in the vicinity have claimed and used down the centuries.
In addition to the various graveyards of Larne itself, this volume includes Old Kilwaughter and the newer cemetery there. Old Kilwaughter is not only difficult to find, hidden as it is behind the half-ruined Kilwaughter Castle but even when found, the gravestones are hard to identify among the long grass and nettles. In fact, the laborious work of transcribing such stones exemplifies why this series of gravestone inscription volumes in general is so valuable to the genealogist. This is particularly true in the case of Larne gravestones.
In addition to the gravestone inscriptions, Old Families of Larne and District includes records of nineteenth century wills and biographical notes on the prominent figures, as well as a general guide to sources. Each of these will be equally valuable for the research of family and local historians.