Looking for Urwins - Irwins - Erwins - Irvings - Irvines of the Bonshaw line
gurwin
I have got back to Thomas Irwin b circa mid 1700's, son William b 1783 Gilesgate,Durham,UK.
I know Thomas must have been born circa 1750-60 but no clue as to which one out of a few possibles! :(
DNA has shown I am a Bonshaw Irving as per the ClanIrwin website.
I urge all our clan to take part to improve evidence of links - many other border names like Armstrong find they are really Urwins!
http://clanirwin.org/dnastudy.php
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~donegalstrongs/kent_irvine.htm#Border
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/67158/details/bonshaw+tower+and+house/
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/irvine.htm
A probable ancestor William De Irwin was Robert The Bruce's armour bearer, and I am writing a novel about this.
http://erwinbagpiper.com/sir_william_de_irwyn.htm
I am reasonably confident that since all our Urwins were pitmen (coal miners) going back to the 1700's, that at some point in the 1600-1750 period, our branch left the Borders and walked/rode to get a job at a penny a day in the coalfields opening big time in Durham/Northumberland.
When the clerk of the pit asked their name, and they said Oowerwinnn with a Border accent, the clerk would spell it many ways!
I find it ironic that the Urwin legend that says we came from Greece/Egypt/Spain/Ireland/Scotland - and then some went back to Ireland!
No idea whether accurate or not but DNA happlegroup perhaps suggests about right?
http://irvinehistory.com/Brief_History.htm
http://erwinbagpiper.com/misty_origins_of_the_erinvine.htm
Best wishes to all you of the clan - to life!
Graeme Urwin
Comments
davidirwi_1973 on 2010-09-27 03:07:50Hi Gurwin
My name is David Irwin and i'm originally from Birtley Co Durham but living in Auckland, New Zealand since 1995.
My family are all coal or lead miners from Alston, Blanchland, Burnhope and Tow Law and i
have got to 1740 ish........stuck at the moment tryind to link backwards across the pennines to dumfries though.
Cheers Marra
gurwin on 2013-06-06 09:49:30Hi David
Please forgive a very late response but got no alert to your message!?
From Baartley eh? I know all those places you mention.
A bugga to be stuck like me, but do get your DNA done - its amazing as you get close matches from all over the world.
Also a close match may well have a better tree!!!
http://clanirwin.org/dnastudy.php
Gan canny
Graeme