Rea - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Rea's of Kilwaughter and Glynn area of Co. Antrim

helenbennett74 — 2012-05-22 10:46:48Z

Hi, don't know if you still have any info after such a long time but I am researching Rea's from Glynn/Larne. James and Margaret (Maggie), children James,Eliza, Annie, Robert, David, Charles, Thomas and Mary Maggie all at Mulloughmossin,Larne in 1901. The 1901 census indicates the dob for James abt 1853 and he dies before 1911 census when family is then in Lower Belfast.
Thanks

Re: Rea family from Co.Antrim

helenbennett74 — 2012-05-16 09:49:29Z

I too am researching a Rea family in Antrim. James Rea born abt 1853. On the 1901 census he is a farmer at Glynn, Larne,Antrim with wife Margaret (Maggie)and 8 children, James,Eliza, Annie, Robert, David, Charles, Thomas and Mary Maggie.

Rae/Rea/Ray USA/Ireland/England/Australia/New Zealand

raeventer — 2012-05-16 04:08:18Z

I am researching the Reas of County Down, Ireland who are described in an article by William Roulston (Reas of Magheraknock and Killeen, County Down). The patriarch is David Rea (1672-1754). Members of his family immigrated to South Carolina in about 1729. John Rea (1710-1774) and his brothers James Rea (1729-1774) and Mathew Rea (1713-1781) are also referred to in an article about immigration from Ireland to South Carolina: "They Came Through Charleston" by Richard K. MacMaster. John Rea's daughter Elizabeth Rea/Rae (1740-1792) married Samuel Elbert, an early governor of Georgia. Both John Rea and his brother Robert Rea/Rae (1732-1779) settled in Savannah, Georgia. Based on the names of heirs in Robert Rae's will which I found posted on a tree on ancestry.com (Tangled Roots and Twisted Branches) I was able to make the connection back to the family described by Roulston noted above, in particular the reference to Robert's sister Debora Armstrong [nee Rea](1725- ). Descendants of this family have also immigrated to Australia and New Zealand. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has more information about this family and/or is a descendant. I have posted a tree on ancestry.com (Rae/Rae/Ray USA/Ireland/England) with the information that I have so far on this family. You can contact me through ancestry or at b.raeventer@utexas.edu.

Re: New Website: Descendants of William Rea of Drumskee

JenniferLTaber — 2012-05-10 18:51:10Z

I realize this is really an old thread but I just stumbled on it. Thank you for setting up the website. It is helping to fill in some holes.

Re: Where does the name Rea come from?

stefanrea — 2012-04-27 11:49:09Z

I have always pronounced it as RAY and have had to spell it out to people several times so they can "get their head around it" as they usually go by the r-a-e version. My research on the REA family goes back to the 1850's in County Duram in Ireland. I haven't gone back any further than this yet though.

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

garyrea59 — 2012-04-12 04:49:23Z

I believe I've already answered this, but I will answer again, just the same. Yes, it's generally true that hereditary surnames began in the West around 1,000 A.D., but they existed prior to that in Asia. As for the Celts and the surname Rea, one of the origins usually given is that the name is a Celtic word for "river" or "stream," thus, it's a nature name or place name. Many surnames were derived from words that were used long before hereditary surnames. The name Smith is a case in point. There are also patronyms, which derive from the first name of the father and thus, their origins pre-exist the use of hereditary surnames, as well. There are other such examples, also. Surnames didn't just pop up out of nowhere. They evolved from other names and words, over time. Such is the case with the Celtic surname, Rea.

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

garyrea59 — 2012-04-11 02:34:46Z

I'm sure you can prove it. However, Italy is NOT the only point of origin. In fact, there are - and have been, for centuries - more Reas in Ireland than in Italy, and they didn't come from Italy.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-04-02 02:24:16Z

When are you going to realize the name is of Celtic origin and that the Celts migrated all over Western Europe? When are you going to realize that the principle distribution of the name is has been to the British Isles and Spain, while only a single village (Arpino) in Italy had anyone with the name?

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

1_AnthonyRea — 2012-04-01 21:05:17Z

You Scottish,Irish and English can't pronounce foreign surnames. When are you going to realise that the name Rea is Italian/Spanish and pronounced 'Ray-ah' with a rolling R! Please note there's not a village in the world where 250 families have the Rea surname apart fron Arpino in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, Italy! Tony Rea, Manchester England.

Re: rea name orignates from

garyrea59 — 2012-03-31 17:35:41Z

Hahaha! The Spanish Armada didn't exist until 1588. The name Rea had existed in Scotland since at least 1400 and, in Ireland, earlier than that. Sorry, but your Italo-centric theory of the name's origin is simply WRONG.

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

garyrea59 — 2012-03-31 17:31:23Z

I'm not disputing that. The name is an old one and, like the Celts, was widely distributed. It existed in Dumfriesshire, Scotland in the 1400s and had already existed in Ireland prior to that. If you think the name originated solely in Italy, you're mistaken.

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

garyrea59 — 2012-03-31 17:26:58Z

Actually, I think what you meant to say was that hereditary surnames didn't begin until the Middle Ages, and actually, this is true in Western Europe, but the custom had already existed in Asia, somewhat earlier. As for the Celts, we're talking, of course, about their descendants, the Irish, the Scots, the Welsh, the Manx, the Bretons, et al, and, in particular, the Irish, so, in that sense, yes the name - like all names of Irish origin, is a Celtic name.

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

1_AnthonyRea — 2012-03-31 15:15:44Z

Just on a side-note surnames did not exist up until the middle ages, so how can the Celts have had the Rea surname!

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

1_AnthonyRea — 2012-03-31 14:52:27Z

Visit WWW.reasurname.com

Re: Rea name orignates from Italy

1_AnthonyRea — 2012-03-31 14:33:16Z

My family of Rea's were in the Village of Arpino in the 1300's, I can prove this with my research through the excellent church records! In fact this surname still dominates this village today, and is widespread in the surrounding region of Frosinone, extending to Naples and Rome.

Well known Italian Rea's are Chris Rea (Singer), Domenico Rea (Author), Ermano Rea (Author).

Rea is the shorter version of Reale (possibly Spanish: Spain controlled southern Italy for about 400 years), and also the mythical mother of Romules and Remus (Italian mythology) was named Silvia Rea!

Anthony Rea, Manchester UK

Re: rea name orignates from

1_AnthonyRea — 2012-03-31 14:19:38Z

When will Garry Rea admit that the Spanish Armada was ship-wrecked off the west coast of Ireland and the Spanish soldiers and sailors settled in Ireland and eventualy Scotland! Tony Rea, Manchester, England, U.K

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 10:22:00Z

Well, it certainly varies between individuals and families, however, there are rules of pronunciation that have to do with spelling and phonetics, as well as established traditions. Pronunciation isn't simply a matter of choice. If it were, there would be no standards of pronunciation at all.

Re: rea name orignates from

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:44:42Z

Italy (particularly the village of Arpino) is but one of the several points of origin. The name is Celtic and was distributed to Italy, the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal and, subsequently, to the Spanish-speaking countries), but mostly to the British Isles, particularly Ireland and Scotland, which is the more likely origin of your lineage, if they came to North Carolina. In fact, during the period 1772 to 1775, Matthew Rea, an agent from Drumbo, County Down, Northern Ireland, arranged passage for thousands of families from County Down to South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. There were also later emigrants from Scotland who went to North Carolina, as well. Of course, it's still possible your line is from Italy, but I doubt it.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

ksmallman8105 — 2012-03-11 09:36:29Z

all of my family in west midland pronunciation of REE i think that it depends on the person or the family

Re: Where does the name Rea come from?

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:36:20Z

There are several points of origin, but it's basically a Celtic name and appears primarily in Ireland and Scotland, in the British Isles. It is also found in Spain, Italy and all the Spanish-speaking countries, as well, where it is pronounced RAY-AH. In the British Isles, it's pronounced RAY. While the name is sometimes a sept (allied family or surname) of the Clan MacRae, this is rarely the case and more often the name originates either in Ireland or in the lowlands of Scotland, especially Dumfriesshire.

REA in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1774

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:27:26Z

I'm searching for any information on the family of Matthew Sutherland Rea in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1774. The family emigrated to Pennsylvania from Newry that year. I am NOT interested in information on the family in Pennsylvania, as I have already researched this. I need to find any traces of my lineage in Newry. Thanks.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:22:12Z

Either way it's spelled, it's still pronounced RAY.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:20:20Z

REE and REE-AH are common MISpronunciations of the name.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:17:58Z

All alternate spellings are pronounced the same: RAY. The exception is where the name appears in the Spanish-speaking countries and Italy, where it is pronounced RAY-AH.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:13:06Z

P.S.: All spellings of the name (Rea, Rae, Rhea, Rheagh, Ray, Wray, Reay, etc) are pronounced the same in the British Isles.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

garyrea59 — 2012-03-11 09:11:20Z

It's a Celtic name, found in the British Isles, the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal and the Spanish-speaking countries) and in Italy. In the British Isles, it is pronounced RAY. In the Spanish-speaking countries and Italy, it is pronounced RAY-AH.

Seeking Rea descendants from Dundee, Kirriemuir

davidrae66 — 2012-03-04 01:31:50Z

I am seeking descendants from Rea names as followed:-
William Rea b. 1759 Kirremuir m: Barbara Anderson
William Rea b. 1801 Dundee m: Catharine McNab
William Rea b. 1827 Dundee m. Penelope Money
Helen Rea b. 1830 Dundee m. James Gourlay
Other surnames by marriage are Fyfe, Green, Roger, Lawrie.
Please touch base if you may think there could be a connection. My direct email is davidcrae@bigpond.com

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

davidrae66 — 2012-03-04 00:53:52Z

Hey Steve,
Had to laugh at this! My surname was changed from rae to Rea in Australia by my 3rd great grandfather. I constantly think about changing it to how it should be spelt. What i get though is taunts especially from my wife pronouncing it rear, drives me nuts, makes sence to me it is Rea as you suggest.
Cheers
David Rae

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

ELMACISAAC — 2012-01-17 00:10:14Z

My great great great grandfather's name was Nissim Rea. Our family pronounces it as in "Ray". Hope this helps.

Re: Rea m.Grimsby in Tyrone,lived in Derryhirk,Armagh.

jengan16 — 2012-01-15 19:58:35Z

There is some possibility. Did your GGG James Rea have about 10 children born in Armagh? Ive seen a family group sheet that had at least 8 boys named, and 2 "unknown daughters."
The daughter I look for was born about 1796-1804 named Mary
Rea or Mary Ray. That marriage was ,about 1818, in Co. Tyrone. there were 2 children ( Lilly Ann 1821, and William about 1825, who went to Canada 1838) Possible first son who stayed in England.James Rea is a pretty common name. I have found several who lived in Ontario, Canada. Yes,several Armagh Campbells came to the United States. Who was your GGG Grandfather James Rea's father?

Re: Rea m.Grimsby in Tyrone,lived in Derryhirk,Armagh.

hemirt — 2012-01-15 19:32:24Z

Hello, I have a GGG Grandfather, James Rea, born in 1799 in Armagh, Ireland and married Sarah Campbell in the United States. Hope this might help some.

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

hemirt — 2012-01-15 19:21:36Z

Our name is actually said as RAY even with the different spelling. From what I have been told we were actually from the norweigen (sp) area, coming to England/ireland, immigrating to the United states, then to Canada as Empire Loyalists.

Romanian Rea's

ELMACISAAC — 2012-01-08 23:55:15Z

My great great great great grandfather was Moses Anchel Rea. I believe he lived in or around Bucharest. He was born in 1831. His son was Nissim Rea, he may have been known as Nathen. Nathen was born in 1846. I believe Nathen had siblings, but I do not have any information supporting this theory. Nathen is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, located in Toronto, ON, Canada, along with his wife Bessie (possibly born Bosha) and his grandchildren. Any information is highly appreciated.

Margaret REA Schilling 1927-2011 b. Zanesville, Ohio

Lace_Lynch — 2012-01-01 15:03:05Z

NEWARK:
Mrs. Margaret "Maggie" (Rea) Schilling, 84, of Newark, Ohio passed away December 29, 2011, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

She was born June 15, 1927, in Zanesville, Ohio (Muskingum County)to the late Stanley Cory and Florence Louise (Ansel) Rea.

Mrs. Schilling was a member of the 2nd Presbyterian Church. She was an avid golfer who loved to play bridge, bake and quilt.

She is survived by her loving husband, Vernon Schilling, whom she married on June 13, 1948; children, Mark (Yuko) Schilling of Tokyo, Japan, Jeff (Jenny) Schilling of Troy, Ohio, Sandy (Mark) Jones of Troy, Ohio and Dave (Tonya) Schilling of Westerville, Ohio; sisters, Jean Hickey of Augusta, Georgia and Mary Sanders of London, Ohio; grandchildren, Ray and Lisa Schilling of Tokyo, Japan, Jessica (Shawn) Miller of Fishers, Indiana, Emily (Rob) Huber of New Palestine, Indiana, Sarah Schilling of Columbus, Ohio, Angie (Jim) Boggess, of Fletcher, Ohio, Bryan (Molly Glynn) Jones of Kettering, Ohio, Malle Schilling of Zanesville, Ohio, Coady (Kiele Christopher) Brown of Gahanna, Ohio and Cori-Ann Brown of Westerville, Ohio; great-grandchildren, Aleah, Blake, Cylah, Layla, and Nolen, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Rea.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Jud C. Hickey Center for Alzheimer's Care, 1901 Central Ave., Augusta, Georgia 30904.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 42 E. Church St. Newark, Ohio

The family request that all guestbook condolences be signed at www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com and click obituaries/guestbook entry

Rotary
Licking

REA Phillip K - Vietnam Wall section 3E

t42Vietnam_ParkerCoTX — 2011-12-21 23:01:08Z

REA Phillip K - Vietnam Wall section 3E

Honor our Veterans. This is one of many photographs of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Parker Co, TX. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 223,486 photos free at http://teafor2.com where they are listed in order by state(Texas), county(Parker), cemetery(Vietnam) and Surname.

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is not my family.

1813 obituary of Martha, wife of Thomas Rea Jr. of Bedford county, Pa.

midge1249 — 2011-12-05 23:26:22Z

From the "True American" of Bedford county of Wednesday, November 24, 1813

DIED - On Monday morning, the 22d inst. Mrs. MARTHA REA, wife of Mr. Thomas Rea, Junr. of this place.

Re: Rea family of Balteagh, Manor of Kernon

susanrea222 — 2011-12-05 00:48:53Z

hi again Barbara!
were you able to visit the Seagoe Parish and copy the entries on the Rea's? Also do you have any info about your great great aunt Fanny McMurray...who was my my great great grandmother?
Looking forward to hearing from you!

kind regards,
Susan Rea

Rea-Ray-Wray DNA Project

dmoneta — 2011-12-01 20:50:38Z

Dear Rea Researchers,

We would like to extend an invitation to join our newly merged Rea and Wray DNA projects at Family Tree DNA. We now have 139 participants and call ourselves The Rea-Ray-Wray DNA project. This project includes all variations of the surname. This is an excellent time to join as Family Tree DNA is having their annual holiday sale. Go to www.familytreedna.com to order a kit. This special sale ends on December 31st. Also, check out our Rea-Ray-Wray home page to see the names of the most distant ancestors of those in our project, go to www.familytreedna.com/public/Wray. When there, click on Y-DNA Results in the blue bar in the upper part of the page, then select Classic. Here you will see that we have Rea lines from Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, and other counties; as well as, many from the United States going back to the early 1700s.

While the specific goals and objectives for each of our participants may vary, we are all interested in gaining answers to genealogical questions that cannot be answered through conventional research. DNA testing is a very powerful tool. When used in conjunction with paper trail evidence, it can provide us with answers to some very important questions. DNA can tell us whether or not two or more poorly documented Rea families living in the same area at the same time are related. It can also bring surprising results, such as connecting two Rea lines that were before believed to be unrelated!! For those participants matching DNA with someone who can trace his lineage back to the 1700s or even 1600s, it is an incredible experience.

It you have any questions about how DNA testing can help you with your genealogical research, don’t hesitate to contact us:

Daniela Moneta, dmoneta@cox.net
Joseph C. Rhea, rheajc@msn.com
Project Administrators for Rea-Ray-Wray DNA

Re: William Bede Rea

foremrbill — 2011-11-28 17:03:59Z

I have a William Samuel Rea, northern Ireland married Ellen McKean, marriage was 19 sept 1911 in york street church. It is not your grandfather but it may be in your lineage

William Bede Rea

livelypennie — 2011-11-25 16:40:02Z

I am looking for any information on my grandfather William Bede Rea married Florence Amy Wallace lived in Nyngan NSW, he was a train driver. They had 4 children Norma Ellen Longmore (nee Rea), Ronald Eric Rea, June Ada Fishpool (nee Rea) and William Bede Rea.

Re: Rea family of Balteagh, Manor of Kernon

susanrea222 — 2011-11-06 16:14:48Z

Hi again Barbara! Can you tell me if there is an entry in this book for a John and Eliza Mckee family in Seagoe Parish.....these were my maternal great grandparents. Where would I be able to purchase a copy of Frank McCorry's book?
Thanks again!
Susan Rea

Re: Rea family of Balteagh, Manor of Kernon

harveymcmurray — 2011-11-05 13:18:36Z

Hi Again,

I have Frank McCorry's book on Seagoe registers plus as I only live a few miles from Seagoe Church of Ireland I can get copies of the Rea/Rae/Ray entries for you all if you wish.

I'll have a peep at some stage today to see if there is any of the family mentioned in Franks book.

He is a real gentleman and has written quite a few local history books.

I'll be in touch, it will be next week at some stage before I go to the church office. It is not open at the weekends.

Talk soon,
Barbara

Re: Rea family of Balteagh, Manor of Kernon

purdueb — 2011-11-05 05:19:54Z

November 4, 2011

Hi Barbara, Susan, Gregg, James and others interested in the Reas of Balteagh,

I have neglected my Ray line for too long! I will try to catch up.

My father, who was born in Ohio and will be 93 next week, knew his biological father, Charles Milton Ray (1895-1973). His mother died in the influenza epidemic less than two months after he was born so he was raised by foster parents named Thompson. He had little contact with Ray relatives and officially took the Thompson name before he married.

My research (with much help from others) has taken me back to the immigrant ancestor, Thomas RAY, born about 1750/55 Ireland (now Northern Ireland), died 1939 Virginia (now West Virginia).

A DNA test my father submitted to Family Tree DNA in 2001 resulted in a close match with Susan Rea’s brother, David! A descendant chart I received from David shows his descent from a John Rea born in 1776 who had brothers James and Joseph with descendants in Balteagh.

I am hoping to find parish register entries to help me bridge the gap between these three Rea brothers and my Thomas Ray who was likely one generation earlier, possibly their father or uncle.

Has anyone transcribed the Ray entries from any Seagoe parish registers?

Is anyone familiar with ‘Parish Registers - historical treasures in manuscript’ by Dr Francis X McCorry recommended by the Craigavon Historical Society?

It is delightful to find others who are interested in this line!!

Bobbie

Re: Rea family of Balteagh, Manor of Kernon

harveymcmurray — 2011-11-03 04:26:46Z

Hi Bobbie,

I live in Seagoe Parish. Hunter Ray/Rea married my GGGrandfathers sister Frances McMurray on the 20th Dec 1838.

She was from Crossmacahilly Townland and he was from Balteagh Townland.

The parents are not recorded on the certificate but Frances' father was David.

The witnesses at the wedding were James Ray and Henry Harrison. The surname was spelt as Ray on the marraige info I have but in Davids will( father of Frances) it is spelt as Rea. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Barbara

Re: Reas of Mecklenburg County, NC

leemrea — 2011-10-25 20:44:35Z

The son of Joseph Rea and Jemima Harkness was George Newton Rea instead of George Washington Rea.I have not found that any of this family ever went to Alabama, at least in the early years.

Re: Reas of Mecklenburg County, NC

Sandyget — 2011-10-20 20:15:01Z

Joseph, called John Rea, and Jemima lived in Baldwin Co. AL
Believe John d. before 1950 when Jemima appears on FL census
as widow.
They are my GGG's.
regards

Re: Reas of Mecklenburg County, NC

Sandyget — 2011-10-20 20:14:55Z

Joseph, called John Rea, and Jemima lived in Baldwin Co. AL
Believe John d. before 1950 when Jemima appears on FL census
as widow.
They are my GGG's.
regards

Re: Pronunciation of Rea

ericrea1 — 2011-10-18 13:29:11Z

Hi Joanne,

We pronounce it the same way as you and I am also from Cork. I moved to Boston a few years back but my family is still in Ireland. Long lost cousins???

Re: Rea Family

billykillion — 2011-10-15 17:06:14Z

oops - she was my ggm, not gggm!

Re: Rea Family

billykillion — 2011-10-15 16:44:32Z

Ms. McKee - are you still looking for information about Julia Ann Rae? She was also my gggm (I was also born in Obion County Tennessee). In the 1880 census, when she was 10 years old, she was listed as Juliann Ray in Obion County, daughter of James I. and Dosha A. Ray.