Hi Michael My 4xgreat grandmother was Margaret Gallagher ,I only know about her because son James Nevin died in Scotland and she was on his death registration.James was born in Derry about 1827,so she possibly came from there too. Anyway,you mentioned Nial of the Nine Hostages,..I had my Y DNA done and my results say that I have the same Y DNA as his descendants...it's a very tenuous connection and I don't place a lot of importance on it,but it's good to get the "Big Picture" of my ancestry. My McGONIGAL name ( Gaelic MacCONGHAIL ),is supposed to be a Milesian one,there again it's only historical but also gives the Big Picture. If you go here..http://www.familytreedna.com/matchnialltest.html...,it will explain about Nials influence on our ancestry. I'm researching McGonigal,Coyle,Owens,Nevin,Gallagher,McCrocken in Derry. Gorry,Keenaghan.Lowrie in Co.Westmeath. All the best Frank McGonigal Ont.Canada ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Gallagher" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2008 3:52 PM Subject: [DONEGALEIRE] Gallagher & McCready families, immigrated to Summit Hill, Carbon County, PA, USA > I'm seeking my ancestors in Donegal- my paternal grandparents' last > names were Gallagher & McCready, both of which trace to Donegal. They > themselves grew up in the 1920s & 1930s in Summit Hill, Carbon County, > Pennsylvania, USA. However, their names trace to Counties Donegal > (both), Antrim (McCready), & Ayrshire (Scotland) (McCready). My > grandmother's McCready grandmother had McCready as her maiden name and > was listed as being born in Ireland in the US Census. I'm wondering if > anyone can fill me in on clan history in Donegal and hopefully connect > my immigrant ancestors to their home townlands. Other Irish names in > that branch include Patrick B. Kelly (born July 1869 in Pennsylvania- > his father's name may have been John), Catherine Ward (wife of Bernard > Gallagher), Sara(h) Ann Malloy (Maloy). > > How likely is it that the clan histories match my actual ancestors? Has > anyone verified descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages? Anyone have > access to the registers that may include these or their immigrant close > relatives? > > Michael Gallagher