Time for a fresh look at my Armstrong ancestors. My GGF James Armstrong born County Mayo 1854. James was born fourth in the birth order of six children born to Anthony Armstrong and Mary Anne (Ruane) Armstrong. I believe one of the other five children to be named Charles, not sure of names of the others. (baptism of Charles noted below) In Griffith's Valuation I have found one and only one Anthony Armstrong at Aghadoey Glebe in year 1855. Aghadoey Glebe is in Parish of Burrishoole. Found record of Anthony Armstrong, of Kilmaclasser married Mary Anne Ruane, of Addergoole, in Crossmolina Church of Ireland 18, April, 1839. Charles Armstrong, son of Anthony Armstrong, a farmer and Mary Anne Armstrong was baptised on 17th April, 1842. No further birth records available for this couple after 1842. Address given at time of 1842 birth is Half parish/Clogher. I believe that the Anthony Armstrong family relocated sometime after 1842 from the Half parish/Clogher address to Aghadoey Glebe, which seems not all that far from away.  Half parish/Clogher is very close to a place called Gortnaclassagh. I have also found reference to a George Armstrong of Gortnaclassagh baptised on 5 June, 1817. Parents of George Armstrong listed as Anthony Armstrong and Mary Simmonds. (Note : I believe this Anthony Armstrong and Mary Simmonds to be the parents of the Anthony Armstrong that married Mary Anne Ruane in 1839. So, I have two Anthonys to deal with here, apparently a father and son )  MORE RELATED DATA: Marriage record exists for Anthony Armstrong of Kilmaclasser a widower and Margaret Symonds (possible Tymonds), of Kilmaclasser 26 December 1809.   There seems to be some confusion on the spelling of the name Simmonds as it relates to Mary. The records show it as Simmonds, Symonds and possibly as Tymonds. Also there is confusion around the names Mary and Margaret Symonds.  Some of the records show her as Mary and some as Margaret. All this I believe just inaccuracy of the way records were kept in those days, the legibility of those records and the spelling whims of the people who kept them. Or perhaps she was known by both the names Mary and Margaret.  There is also an Elizabeth Armstrong baptised 30 August, 1818 to parents Anthony and Margaret Armstrong. Names of witnesses for the baptisms above include: William Armstrong (possible brother to the older Anthony) Mary Simmonds Willam Burke Mary (Brennan) Kirkpatrick Ann Kirkpatrick ================= Coming to America 1860s: I cannot be sure what became of the Anthony Armstrong family that included my GGF James and his siblings. I believe them to have been caught up in the Great Famine tragedy and became part of the mass migration of Irish to Canada and the United States. It seems that after coming to the United States the siblings became separated. It is also believed that for a time they stayed in Canada but I do not know any details of this. I believe some of them married or settled in the Midwestern area around Chicago. I have note of GGF James coming to USA in 1868. He lived at Sebastapol near Pittston in Northeast Pennsylvania. This is a coal mining area. It is unclear what became of his siblings. His biography indicates that in 1878 he traveled to Chicago, IL, which I believe was to find work in and around the area where some of his siblings were living. Says he was employed in the iron works. Naturalization papers granted to James on Oct. 26th 1880 at Cook County, IL Circuit Court. James returned to Pittston, PA in December 1880 and was employed by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Married Bridget McNulty in 1882. They had six children: Charles (1883), Mary (1886), Blanche (1889), James (my GF 1893), Joseph(1899) and John (1900) SEARHING FOR: Any Armstrongs or related surnames above tracing their roots to County Mayo. Any Armstrongs tracing thier roots to Pittston, PA and the villages of Inkerman and Sebastapol near Pittston. Any Armstrongs that came from County Mayo through Canada to the United States in mid to late 1860's that may have connections to above. Silblings of my GGF James Armstrong who may have settled in IL, IN or OH and woked in iron/steel works and or coal mining. Thank You! John T. Armstrong