Andi: There are two excellent books on the Scotch Irish immigration to America. The 1st book I would recommend is "The Scotch Irish: A Social History" by James Leyburn. It is an excellent overview of why so many Scotish farmers were induced to migrate to what is now Northern Ireland, their stay there [generally about 100 years] and their immigration to America starting ca 1717 and continuing to the American Revolution. Their primary areas of settlement [western PA, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and down into NC and SC]-- although they can be found anywhere in that time period. The 2nd book I would recommend is "Albions Seed: Four British Folkways in America" by David Hackett Fischer. This book reviews many aspects of colonial British settlers in America -- including a huge section on the Scotch Irish. Lots of maps and tables and footnotes. Either of these books should be available in a good library or through inter library loan. I prefer the 1st book, but have made good use of the 2nd. Carol Vass, a descendant of two different BARNS/BARNES families: [1] Mindwell Barnes, b. [prob. CT & prob. ca 1775/80] m. Titus Adams [poss married in Simsbury, Hartford Co, CT or Rutland Co, VT]. This couple moved to NY ca 1810 and then on to Ohio and then Coles Co, IL by 1830. I have been unable to connect Mindwell to any of the New England BARNES families -- so far -- although I can quite definitively document her husband back to an early Massachusetts ADAMS -- George Adams of Watertown, MA [not connected to either Pres. Adams] [2] Lt. John Barns [b. ca 1740/45 in Frederick Co, VA] m. Hannah Cartmell ca 1769 in Frederick. This couple moved to Harrison Co, KY in 1797. I am almost positive, but can't prove that 'this' John Barns was the son of 'a' Charles Barns [wife Elizabeth McDowell]. I am almost positive that Charles Barns was most likely of Scotch Irish descent, if not actually born in Northern Ireland ca 1690-ish. Charles Barns died in Frederick Co, VA in 1803, but can be documented there as early as 1738.