Betty, I have tried unsuccessfully to connect my Killybegs/Glencolumbkille Hamiltons to those further south around Drumhome and Pettigo and also have Sylvia's excellent Drumhome graveyard book. Also, incidentally, was in Donegal in 1987 snooping for family, although further west than you! Jane Strong's name stood out to me, as I have a fair bit of info on the Strongs from trying to unravel an early Devitt/Strong marriage in Templecarne Parish. There is much info online from Dave Strong's websites relating to these Strongs. Looking through my data, I see that your Jane Strong of Aghadowey married John Spence of Knockbane at Drumhome Church of Ireland March 26, 1840, witnesses James Strong and Hugh (transcribed Sting--I presume Strong), minister George Griffith. Fathers of both bride and groom not noted. Oddly, 20 years later, in 1860, there is another Jane Strong of Aghadowey married to John Ingram for which the fathers are noted, and James Strong was also a witness, but don't know if this connected to yours or not. I also note births for Jane Strong of Drumhome Parish July 1, 1821, parents George Strong and Mary Harron, and also, a Jane Strong of Drumhome Parish April 20, 1834, parents Hugh Strong of Aghadowey and Margaret nee?, so perhaps this explains the two marriages above. Whoops, I just looked at the Jane m. John Ingram, and her father is listed as William, not Hugh. Hugh's Jane was married at Killymard in 1858 to William Wray! Jane was a popular name with the family! You may already have this detail, but thought I would pass it on in case you did not. Jack Thailand ----- Original Message ----- From: "Betty Ashley" <ashleybvm@netptc.net> To: <Donegaleire-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 1:56 AM Subject: [DONEGALEIRE] Hamilton - Drumholm >I hesitate to mention my vague Hamilton connection in Drumholm. Maybe it > will profit someone. Our pioneer ancestors were Andrew Spence born about > 1785 from Killymard, (died Norwood Ontario 1850) married Mary Griffith > born > 1792 Ballinakillew, Donegal, died Stanton NE. > >>From the names of the children Lettie Morrow said that she felt sure that > Andrew Spence was the child of one WILLIAM SPENCE born about 1749 (died 14 > June 1791 Carrickbreeny) and BARBARA HAMILTON (died 12 Apr 1786 > Carrickbreeny). If this theory is true, Barbara must have died at the > time > of Andrew's birth. And perhaps he was cared for by Spence relatives in > Killymard, making that his home townland. > > Some of the children named by the descendant in Canada did not come to > America. Whether they died or just remained there, we do not know. > WILLIAM > SPENCE baptized 25 Mar 1821 and BARBARA SPENCE baptized 21 Apr 1824 > Drumholm were the only ones named who did not come. The place in the > family > of JOHN (born about 1818) is not known. > > The oldest child to come to Canada that year of 1840 was this JOHN SPENCE > who had just married JANE STRONG b. 1820 Aghadowey. >