Thank you for renewing many memories, I left Belfast in 1964. I had a great time on your site and have sent the URL to family members in US. I grew up in Lecale Street (I was Betty Mackin then). Have never been able to trace cousins whose surname was Lavery. Now I have found your great site I will be back many times. Thank you.

Loved the visit to your faboulous site. I learned a lot about Belfast I never knew growing up there
Thank you for sharing your great site. I will be sure to send my friend's & family the URL to visit it.
William J. Scott (Billy)
California, USA

thank you for the great amount of insight into the north of ireland, my family originated from cork in the south and the family name mayo derived from the order to receive either the name of the county or the name of the english land owner, i dont know the original family name prior to this although believe me i am trying to find out, you are an inspiration to all irish/irish descendents living at home or abroad, keep up the good work and may god bless you as us with the peace and tranquility we deserve....

Hi Joe just found your site and think its just great. My husband was brought up in Lecale Street and wondered if Betty Watson nee Mackin would remember him breaking her doll,all those years ago,

I just wanted to let you know that I have been reading through your site and wanted to congratulate you. What was supposed to be a 5min coffee break has turned into 2 hours.
When I get the time I will be back
Thank you so much

good to talk ,have a good one
Bridie

Hello Joe, That was some interesting and enjoyable stuff which you wrote on Belfast. Actually I have to confess that I came upon it by accident and in this case, it turned out as a "good" accident. I like the way, in true Belfast style you wore your heart on your sleeve at times and why not, sure dont most of us.
I was originally attempting to trace records of my two old elementary schools. The junior one was a wee Moravian school in Perth St ( not to be confused with Perth PES across the street.) I had no luck. Next, I sought ST Enoch's PES attached to that church at Carlisle Circus. No luck either. In trying to go there via the old Belfast Corporation I ended up on your stuff. The latter also housed some of the jewish community following their school, Jaffe, being blitzed. I had been attempting to find old school mates from that time, they cant all be dead, I hope, but so far the trail has ended. Friends United and Facebook were useless and seem to only take one forward if you live on the mainland !!!
Like you, I sadden at some of our history, I grew up in a little terrace house, poor sanitation, permanently leaky roof, almost no one in the street had a job....no different from my Falls neighbours really.
That is another story, however it eventually led me to a labour/ socialist viewpoint and I eventually got elected as a Labour councillor to the old Belfast Corporation. It was fun ( almost) as my Unionist neighbours thought that I had leprosy.
Just thought I would express appreciation and hope to follow up.
Best regards, fraternally,
John.

You know John, you hit the nail on the head there. We all had more in common than we realised but our so called 'leaders' at the time did all in their power to keep us apart... to divide us and set us against one another. There are many today, still living who, whether they realise it or not, have a burden to bear for their incitement, their ignorance, and their bigotry.

I always loved you stories on Facebook...and your jokes . This is my first time on this site, having heard so much about it i was anxious to have a nose! I love the site, its so informative. this is my first visit of many. Keep up the great work....warts and all! Hurry back to Facebook...miss ya

Love this mag, interesting information and loads of it! Is there anyone out there with photographs and / or stories of Carlisle Street Flats in the sixties (the red brick ones that are now gone)?

I loved this website and wish there was much more!! I adore the pictures and stories. I'm doing research on my great-great grandparents (John and Mary Jane Craig Wilson), who married there, I believe in the same Presbyterian Church in 1831. They emigrated from Ireland in 1847 because of the potato famine. At least that is the story handed down through the generations. As Irish tragedies go, John and his family made it to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, he built a cabin for his family of seven children and another on the way before he died within the year. His widow gave birth to their 8th child the next year and finding herself destitute, had to find homes for all but the baby and a 3 year old, who was my great-grandmother. She remarried in short order, but her second husband already had 8 children of his own and she only brought the two youngest with her to her new home. A heart breaking story. As I read your website and others I am grateful that they all lived, weren't murdered for their religion, nor died of famine or disease. Maybe someday I'll make it over to see the lovely village you describe, where they married and hoped for a better life together!

I am not sure of my genealogy. My uncle took it back to the 1800s. I am going to have to call him to find out where the lineage is from. I just got back from Ireland.....might have to be heading back soon!! Very interesting site with a lot of genealogy information. Great job on the research.

to Dan....your so rite about those that be i think mr ian and his cohoots sud be tired for war crimes that they started and many many lifes lost wen we only wanted was OURS and the rite to decent housing and work..

they have a lot to answer for...

I love this website, thank you for all your hard work Joe . You have many imitators ...BUT RUSHLIGHT IS THE REAL THING

I can see how much time you have put into this site and I appreciate it. Great site.
I am looking for any one who may have any information regarding the Taggart Family who hailed from Donegore I would be very grateful. Would particularly like to find a decendant who still still alive.

I echo your remark Valerie, a very interesting site and I congratulate you on all the hard work you put into it over the past 40 years Joe.
There are many emulators but only one Rushlight.