This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Brannigan, Branigan, Riffle Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/RdF.2ACIB/31.37.38.40.53.54.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Karen, Thanks for the reply. The only connection I have to PA is John Branigan stating in the 1880 Census he was born in PA. Two of James Matthew Brannigan daughters stated in the 1920 census their father was born in PA (actually their father was born in TN, grandfather John was born in PA). John obviously was in Ohio, possibly Vinton. A John Branagan married Elizabeth Riffle in 1869, the dates fit, but have not verified that this is my John. JAMES MATTHEW BRANNIGAN (AKA Matt) (1878-1914) was my ggrandfather. He died at 34, his son died at age 3, one daughter at 16, another at 42, and another daughter at 54. At the time of his death only 3 sisters were listed as survivors. None of the Brannigans for two generations appeared to have lived to 60 years of age. Matt's wife remarried after his death, so we have lost the stories of the Brannigans. My Mom thought there was a Patrick in someone's name and that John had come over with only a sister. All of my Brannigans were Catholic. Again, thanks for the lead... Paula