Tony Collins of Masonhill Road, Ayr is hoping to contact local descendants of the Bell family, one of whom, his great-grandmother Isabella Bell, is believed to have been born at Dromara in the mid-19th century, later making the move to Scotland.
"My great grandmother," said Tony, "was one Isabella Bell, who moved over to Ayr, Scotland with her mother Elizabeth Kay.
"Her father was stated to be Robert Bell, a jeweller; it was presumed that he had died prior to the move.
"Isabella now seems to be identical with an Isabella Bell who was born on 25 December, 1844 at Dromara, County Down (Presbyterian Record.)
"Her father was stated to be Robert Bell and her mother, Elizabeth (no surname recorded)."
Mr. Collins received further information that one Robert Bell of Artana, Dromore had married an Elizabeth at Dromara in 1843.
He added, "I recently referred to a 'Short History of the Parish of Dromore' by Ernest Long and found a reference within it that in 1966 an oak Holy Table was presented to St. John's Church by the Bell family of Artana, Dromore.
"An Australian researcher also suggested to me that the names McBride and Prudence Black may be connected with the Bells of Artana.
appeal
"Could I appeal through you and your readership for possible contact with any descendants of these Bell families in an effort to further confirm and hopefully extend this family history line."
Anyone with information for Mr. Collins can contact him at 19 Masonhill Road, Ayr, Scotland, KA7 3NX or by email at tonybonsai@yahoo.co.uk.