My thanks to all who so generously responded to my query about 1600s Donegal research. I'm learning quickly that this is a rather daunting prospect. Have to remember that patience IS a virtue...and persistance :-) I have another question for you more experienced researchers out there. Stateside here, I have had more than one brick wall toppled with the help of distant cousins--you know, putting what I know together with what they know and then kaboom! we have a breakthrough. I would like to start investigating descendants of my line that stayed in Donegal....I know of one cousin (with whom I correspond very irregularly) and he says that there are plenty in the area---how do I go about finding them? In the states, I would use the telephone directory. I tried Google, but could not come up with an equivalent...is it called something different? Any other suggestions? The one cousin I know is not very active online and for that and other reasons, I can't call on him....As you might have noticed, I'm not very well-versed with Irish research, either. My guys came over so long ago that I have been fortunate enough to limit my research tot he states! Thanks! Jen McKemie