Joe, I am one of those on Bob's list also searching for Donegal Hamiltons, and agree with all his comments, and then some regarding the difficulties of sorting them out. They came to Donegal and other Ulster counties in the 1600's and seemed to have proliferated immensely. I have been searching for details on the family of my GG Grandmother Margaret (Peggy) Hamilton, married to William Devitt in Killybegs Upper parish around 1839, and died 1847 after three children, Frederick, William, and Margaret. She is buried in old St. Catherine's graveyard at Killybegs. She first married William Stephenson, a Revenue Policeman stationed in Killybegs, in 1822 and they had two children. He was killed when his horse "fell off a cliff with him on it". She is said to have been the daughter of Andrew Hamilton of Malinmore, Glencolumbkille Parish, whose family intermarried with the Greenlaws, perhaps of both Malinmore and Killybegs. Her brother is known to have been James Hamilton, captain of the brigantine "Blanch of Donegal", which is known to have made crossings to St. Johns, NB, Canada, and Quebec City. Have never been able to find particulars on James, as the name is so common. Margaret is also said to have had at least a couple of sisters, details unknown. Been searching for +30 years, and, even with the above, which I started with from family records, have not been able to connect her with any of the numerous Hamilton families in the area. As Bob said, the parish and townland is critical, as is religion. Mine were Protestants, but the Hamiltons to the north around Strabane, Tyrone and across the river into Donegal started out as Catholic, and all from Scotland. Records are sparse in the first half of the 1800's, but, if yours are connected to one of the larger and prosperous (perhaps half a dozen in Donegal) family groups, there is info available in the way of estate records and even a few published books. Good luck! Jack Devitt Thailand ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe H." <donwin4@yahoo.com> To: <DONEGALEIRE@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 11:19 PM Subject: [DONEGALEIRE] Filling a gap >I have traced my family (Hamilton) back to to the 1830's in Donegal, >Ireland > Joseph d:27 Apr 1863 his son James, b:1830, d:1903 > Joseph had two brothers : David, d: 18 Jan 1865 & James, d:11 Nov 1861, > also > sister Catherine, d: 29 Oct 1859 > > I haven't been able find out much beyond that. A family member (who?) > once > claimed there was a connection to the James Hamilton that was part of the > Ulster Plantation along with Hugh Montgomery in the early 1700's How would > I go > about attempting to fill that gap. Any and all help appreciated. Joseph > Hamilton >