Good evening fellow researchers, My name is Robert Cowan and I am a contributing member of the Cowan and Wigton-Walker groups on rootsweb and occasionally I discover material that has great benefit to other goups as well. I spend considerable time looking for rare, out of print books that may provide clues in making the connection between our Ulster and American families. In the early 1900's the Rev. Alexander Lecky wrote two books: "The Laggan and its Presbyterianism," Davidson & M'Cormack, North Gate Works, Belfast 1905 and "In the Days of the Laggan Presbytery," Belfast 1908 These books are a must for anyone researching in Ulster and I will do my best to accurately describe each books content. >From chapter one of the first book: "On a map of the County of Donegal, it will be seen that the north-eastern part of the county, which is the most northerly part of Ireland, is a peninsula washed on the eastern side by the waters of Lough Foyle and on the western by Lough Swilly. This is Inishowen, a mountainous and, to a large extent, a barren country. Immediately to the south of it is a fertile and comparatively flat country, lying between the river Foyle and the upper reaches of Lough Swilly, and extending in one direction from the City of Derry to Stranolar, and in another from Lifford to Letterkenny. This is the district which in by-gone times was well and widely known under the name of THE LAGGAN, and formed the most productive and desirable portion of the ancient territory of Tyrconnell." It is from this area around Derry where many of our early Ulster ancestors originated, sons and daughters of the Defenders of Derry during the great siege. The Laggan and its Presbyterianism discusses early Laggan history, early church life, the Presbytery, persecutions and sufferings of the Laggoneers, the Rebellion of 1641, the Siege of Derry, St. Johnston, Raphoe and its royal school, the Seceders, and much more but the real value is in the Appendix which is divided into parts and includes the Hearth Tax Rolls by each Parish and also contains notes largely drawn from the unpublished Minutes of the Presbytery of the Laggan, now in the library of Magee College. Also included are names of the Protestant householders in the Parish of Leck, 1766, tennants on the Abercorn Donegal estate, 1794 and the names of householders in St. Johnston, 1794. By receiving this post it means your surname is mentioned either in the main text or as a member of one of the lists in the appendix. The second book, In the Days of the Laggan Presbytery published three years later, Lecky continues his study of the early Presbyterians with such topics as; The meetings of the Presbytery, the education and character of its ministers, ministerial support, church extension, congregations and houses of worship, the charity of the presbytery, troubles and persecutions, fasts, and discipline. The real value, once again, lies in the appendix which contains the following: Wills of the first ministers of Taboyn and Ray, a section of Francis McKemy before he removed to America, and the best of all Lists of Ruling Elders and Commissioners by Parish!! Names of men who attended meeting of the Laggan Presbytery between the years 1672 and 1700 organized by Parish. This allows the researcher to study each neighborhood (Parish) and compare it to those family groupings in early Virgina (Beverly Patent) and evaluate many exciting possibilities. If you would like to obtain a copy of these books (211 pages) please contact me privately at cscunc@aol.com The cost for copying is $25.00 and includes shipping. Robert Cowan 525 Harrogate Rd. Matthews, North Carolina 28105 Thanks, Bob