Dear Becky, Jim and others, I'm enjoying this discussion. Here's something else to consider: the DNA study has shown no real connection between the 7 brothers Cowans and the "4 brothers" Cowans. The research in recent years which tentatively ties the "7 brothers" to County Derry consequently has no bearing on the "4 brothers" Cowans. The DNA study also shows a connection between the "4 brothers" descendants and a Cowan family that came directly from Dumfreeshire in Scotland. So, might it be time for us "4 brothers" researchers to re-think the Irish part of our Scots-Irish tradition? Terry Cowan