Hi, Plunkett:

I have no field of research. I just want to read interesting things about the various Caldwell family histories. I dislike dead ends and dull forebearers.

I know nothing about the Ulster Caldwells beyond what has been posted at this web page and in scattered references at other genealogy web sites. The Ulster Caldwells seem to be of enormous importance in understanding the proliferation of the Caldwell name in America.

I read someone at this web page mentioned her Caldwell ancestors were Catholics traced back to Ireland. This web page's sponsor, John, mentioned Quaker ancestry traced back to Ulster Ireland and Scotland. All of this surprised me.

I suspect the vast majority of the Caldwells were Presbyterians, and that a potential source of information would be tracking the migration of Presbysterian ministers with their Caldwell congregations to America, as well as learning more about the churches themselves. Were the first ministers from Scotland? Were those of Presbyterian faith freer to practice theiir faith in Ireland than in Scotland? To what extent were they cruel towards the Catholics, Anglicans, Cromwellians, and vice versa?

The method or means by which you have learned about the Irish Caldwells is of interest to me. I assume that you are located somewhere in America, and yet have access to a lot of information about Ulster Ireland Caldwells.

You seem to be strongly motivated and now in the process of doing some original research of prime sources, like wills, tax rolls, likely to lead to information not published elsewhere.

I like what you have to say. What I am saying is that you can write it in a way that would make it even more appealing.

You probably know enough that you have already formed some opinions about myths, wishful thinking, or speculations related to the Ulster Caldwells. What are these misperceptions?

I previously wrote: "Let me offer some constructive criticism. What you write would be of far greater value to everyone if you more often cited the references upon which you base your statements."

And you then replied: "When I add research i.e. births deaths marriages wills etc I thought I gave my sources…. I will let you know on Monday the precise title, printers etc." (Thank you.)

And now I want to make it clearer: you took one step, I hope you will take another.

For example, in your reply, you made various statements of great interest to me, but you did not provide any references. The whole point is that I would like to be able to use interlibrary loan or internet to follow up.

You wrote:

" …and incidently France was not part of the Holy Roman…" (I did not mean to imply that. My point was that Toulon was at the time in question part of the Holy Roman Empire rather than France. Like you, I did not cite any reference. I came up with information by exploring the internet.)

"….It was this family that made Sir James Caldwell Bart Count of Milan…." (Now here is a good example where a reference would be appropriate. Can you recommend a book or published article that backs you up on this statement?)

"… A baronet is a hereditary title, sir being added to your name, however one can be knighted but the knighthood dies with you…." (That is good to know. Again, do you have any reference or citation?)

You did not say anything about my statement: …" I do not know what entity registers the British and Irish Caldwell coats…" (Can you help me here?)

You wrote: "… The book I found this in was in Proni I believe the title was British Family Crests…" (Would you please clarify this. What is Proni? Can you be more specific about the title, publisher, and author. Interlibrrayt loan requests need that information.)

You indicate that you are researching the The Caldwell's of Antrim (Holetown)
" " Ardstraw co Tyrone
" " " Ballbogan co Donegal
" " " Ballynaskeagh co Down
" " " Ballyshannon co Donegal…"

(You continued with a long list. Here is where I would appreciate you elaborating on your search. What have you read that indicates there were or may have been Caldwells in these settlements? What of interest do you know about the circumstances of their lives? Is it true that none of these towns you listed were involved in burning people at the stake or executing them for heresy, in contrast to the numerous witchcraft and heresy executions in 17th century Protestant Scotland and Germany,most of which occurred in rural settlements? I would like a bibliography. Can you make a thumbs up list? Can you offer any interesting quotations?

I would guess that a part of your sources are the documents you mentioned: the Muster Rolls, the Hearth Tax Rolls, and estate records. Again, you were not specific with respect to providing enough information that I could request an interlibrary loan. I suppose that I might find something on the internet, but other readers might be discouraged unless you were complete in your citations.)