Re: HARPER ~ County Tyrone, Ire > New York > Illinois
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In reply to:
HARPER ~ County Tyrone, Ire > New York > Illinois
Joan E. Rambo 2/07/14
Joan,
The Harpers/Happers/Hoppers of County Tyrone have had their surname spelled various ways over the centuries, and sometimes a Harper was originally a Hopper. Not always, but ...! It's another research avenue to follow up.
Early records that you can check include the 1766 Religious Census, 1796 Flax Growers Lists, Freeholders Records, deeds/leases, and others. Check the sources at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) as well as the great County Tyrone web site under webmaster Jim McKane: www.cotyroneireland.com
Here's just one example:
1796 Flax Growers (also called the "Spinning Wheel" census)
Name/Parish/ County
Joseph Harper -Clonfeacle-Tyrone
William Harper -Clonfeacle-Tyrone
John Harper -Clonfeacle-Tyrone
James Harper -Clonfeacle-Tyrone
Daniel Harper - Clonfeacle-Tyrone
Joseph Harper-Camus-Tyrone
James Harper -Urney -Tyrone
Robert Happar -Aghaloo-Tyrone
Robert Happer-Aghaloo-Tyrone
Daniel Happer -Errigal Keerogue-Tyrone
Thomas Happer, Jr.-Errigal Keerogue-Tyrone
Thomas Happer, Sr. -Errigal Keerogue-Tyrone
Robert Happer-Kildress-Tyrone
George Happer-Kildress-Tyrone
John Happer-Tamlaght-Tyrone
Finding what parishes and townlands had Harpers (or Happers/Hoppers) in the late 1700s-early 1800s will lead you to possible church records. You MIGHT find records on the right James Harper, even though it's a long shot for records of this time period.
I've collected a few Co. Tyrone records on Hoppers/Happers, and you're welcome to write me directly if you want to.
Regards,
Annie