From Philadephia to Coleraine

Eight members of the Anderson clan from America came to Coleraine at the weekend to trace there roots. They are pictured with with former popular butcher Kenny Anderson (2nd left) and Davy Boyle who give the visitors a tour of the Town Hall.

FIVE cousins from Philadephia have managed to track down their well known Coleraine anchestors thanks to a chance meeting one of them had with Coleraine’s Caring Caretaker, Davy Boyle.

When Louise Connor Wingate was on a visit to Coleraine three years ago, she met Davy Boyle and asked for his help researching her family history. Louise knew she had a connection with Coleraine because her grandmother was originally from Bell House Lane.

Louise’s grandmother Margaret Connor nee Anderson had emigrated to America in 1912 with her husband William Connor, originally from Limavady.

Armed with this little piece of information, Davy got straight into action, and last week he was part of a special reunion between the five American cousins and their Coleraine family.

The name Anderson is well known in the Coleraine area - many will remember Anderson’s butchers at Queen’s Street and before that at Brook Street.

It was James Anderson who began a fruit, poultry and butchery business in Coleraine at the top of Brook Street in the 1800’s.

This business continued through five generations and became one of Northern Ireland’s oldest family businesses.

Margaret Connor, was the granddaughter of this James Anderson.

Her parents were James and Hessie Anderson of Bell House Lane.

Her brothers, Bobbie and Archie were killed whilst serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in World War 1.

In fact their names appear on the War Memorial in Coleraine.