Downey Family Tree research resources
Dig into the past of the Downey Family History using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Family Tree !
 | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 2117 people with the Downey surname? In that year Downey was ranked number 1763 for popularity in the UK. |
Downey records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Downey family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
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Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Downey family. |
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Ancestry.com US records search results for the Downey family. |
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Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Downey family. |
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Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Downey family. |
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Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Downey family. |
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Historical References
"DOWNIE, DOWNEY. Of territorial origin from the old barony of Duny or Downie (in 1331 Douney) in the parish of Monikie, Angus. The surname is still common in the district, and there was also an old Stirling family of the name. Downie is also said to be probably one of the oldest names in the parish of Kemnay (AEI., i, p. 24). The first of the name recorded is Duncan de Dunny who witnessed a composition regarding the boundaries between the lands of Tulloes (Tulloch) and Conon in 1254 (RAA., i, p. 325). Jervise's suggestion that the Downies were probably vassals of some lord, as the name is so rarely found in early record, is probably correct (Jercise Low Latin, p. 384). Alexander Downy or Douny held land of the abbot of Arbroath in 1330 (RAA., n, p. 7, 8), and Mury Dunny, forestaller in Aberdeen, is mentioned in 1402 (CRA., p. 383). Thomas Downy was burgess of Glasgow in 1550 (Protocols, i), and three years later an annual rent was sold by Peter Downy in the same city (ibid.). James Dewinny was chosen barlaw man in the barony of Urie in 1620 (Urie, p. 33), and Isobel Dewnie is recorded in Brechin in 1675 (Brechin). A genealogy of the Farquharsons claims that the Dons and Downies are descended from James Farquharson, grandson of the Ferquhard "who was called Don or Doun from his Brown Hair" (Farquharsons of Invercauld, p. 4), but as shown above the name was in existence before there was a clan Farquharson. Davenie 1628, Dewiny, Dewney, and Dewny 1621, Down 1760, Downe 1619, Downye 1565. 0 "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. If you are lucky then you may find some previously undiscovered Downey ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Downey Tree?
Visit our Downey DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Downey Family Tree
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Downey Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources listed below it will be possible to locate a birth record and, from that record, a birth certificate may be obtainable which is likely to list the names of the parents, therefore taking you back another generation. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Downey family tree.
Investigate Downey Parish Records at Find My Past.
Study the UK registered births, marriages and deaths for the Downey family name using the FreeBMD database.
Explore Genealogy Bank for Downey family records.
Investigate MyHeritage for Downey family data.
Check out the LDS Database for records of the Downey family.
Research the Downey surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Downey Military records.
| Did you know that there are currently 4620 people with the Downey surname in the UK? Downey is now ranked number 1272 for popularity in the UK. |
Downey Family History Databases
Look at WikiTree for user contributed Downey family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Downey data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Search MyTrees for information on the Downey family and people looking to contact living Downey relations.
Look at GENi for Downey family records.
Find your Irish Downey relatives on findmypast.ie
Downey Forums
Research the Downey surname using Genealogy.com forums .
| Did you know that there are currently 30382 people with the Downey surname in the USA? Downey is ranked number 147 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Downey Databases
Look at the Ellis Island Database for information on the Downey family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Downey surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
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