DESERTMARTIN CIVIL PARISH
| County: | Londonderry |
| Barony: | Loughinsholin |
| Diocese: | Derry |
| Poor Law Union: | Magherafelt |
| Probate District: | Londonderry |
| Area: | 9,579 acres |
| Population in 1831: | 4,934 |
| Topography: | This fertile parish in the valley of the Moyola River is bounded by Slieve Gallion (1,623 feet) in the southwest. It lies two miles west of the town of Magherafelt. |
| Villages: | Desertmartin (population of 257 in 1831) |
| Landowners in 1837: | The Drapers’ Company was the chief proprietor. Small portions were also owned by the Vintners’ and Salters’ Companies. |
| RECORD SOURCES | |
|---|---|
| Tithe: | 1827 |
| Griffith’s Valuation: | 1859 |
| Census: | 1663 (Hearth Rolls), 1740 (Protestant Householders), 1766 (Religious Census), 1796 (Flax Lists), 1831 and 1901. |
| CHURCH REGISTERS | |
| Church of Ireland: | Baptisms from 1785; marriages from 1784 and burials 1783, 1788, 1829 and from 1842. Now joined with Termoneeny. |
| Presbyterian: | Lecumpher – Baptisms and marriages from 1825 (united with Union Road, Magherafelt in 1926) |
| Roman Catholic: | Desertmartin – Baptisms, marriages and burials from 1848 |
| GRAVEYARDS AND TOWNLANDS WHERE FOUND IN 1859: | |
| Annagh and Moneysterlin, and Desertmartin | |
| Church of Ireland: | Dromore |
| Roman Catholic: | Cullion and Desertmartin |
| TOP TEN SURNAMES IN 1859 (in descending order): | |
| 1 McGuckin; 2= O’Neill and Walls; 4 McGovern; 5= Bradley and McWilliams; 7 Johnston; 8= Henry, Laycock and McCrystal. | |