Hi Lyn, I checked Ancestry for a Joseph Cook born in Ireland, living in Philadelphia in the 1850 census, and the only one that came up is a young child in what seems to be an orphanage. He is 6 and is listed with a Francis Cook, also 6; they are bracketed together and marked as twins. It sounds like you're looking for an adult Joseph Cook in this time period (as his sister is in her mid-20s), so this doesn't sound likely to be him. Then I checked FamilySearch for the 1850 US census. There was a Joseph Cooke, age 51, born in Ireland, living in the Blockley Almshouse. No idea if this is your guy (he seems older than would be expected), but, even if so, there's no family with him to help you figure things out. I don't think either looks too helpful. Of course, if he wasn't in Philadelphia but just in the general area, that might make a difference, Sorry I don't have better news. Claire K seekay@comcast.net On Apr 12, 2009, at 3:29 AM, Lyn McLeavy wrote: > All I know is that Joseph had a sister Jane Cook. Groves seems to be > perhaps their mother's name. Jane was sentenced during the famine to > transportation to Australia in 1849 and said she had a brother Joseph > Cook in Philadelphia. She was born in Co. Tyrone c.1824. That's > really all I know about him but I am trying to find their town/village > of origin. I know its a long shot and maybe impossible through him > but > I thought I'd see. > > thanks, > Lyn >