Dear list members: I'm seeking information on Blacks of Burt, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Below is what I know of my Black ancestry: Griffith's Valuation of 1858 lists three Blacks in the Burt area -- Richard and John Black of Grange, Burt, and Thomas Black of Ballymoney, Burt. I believe the three are brothers; they are also Roman Catholics. John Black (birthdate unknown, but probably circa 1820; wife's name unknown) is my g-g-grandfather. His son James (my g-grandfather) was born ca. 1847 in Grange, Burt. On November 5, 1879, James married Hannah Porter, daughter of Samuel Porter and Catherine Dysart of Ballymoney, Burt. (Hannah converted from Presbyterianism to Catholicism.) They lived on a farm in Blanketnook, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal; between 1881 and 1891 they had six children: Mary, Catherine, Annie, Thomas, Hannah, and James (my grandfather). James Black the elder is listed as a magistrate on the 1901 census and on the Irish Magistrates list, 1904, but not on the 1911 census. He died March 16th, 1925 and is buried in Grange graveyard, Burt, with his wife, youngest daughter Hannah, and several cousins. In 1929, his eldest daughter Mary emigrated to New York with her husband John McDermott and their five children. James had at least two sisters (names unknown). One sister married McConnell; the other sister married Carr. Specifically, I seek: * James Black's date of birth * His mother's maiden name * Any information pertaining to his ancestry or siblings * General information about Blacks in Burt during this time period Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. I have already searched the 1901 and 1911 censuses, early Catholic parish records for Burt 1853-1880 (microfilm, NLI), and headstones in local graveyards. Many thanks, Maurice Black