I'm writing regarding my Donovan family also. I have my "roots" back to my gr. gr.gr.gr. grandfather Cornelius Donovan who married Martha Snodgrass in Botetourt Co., VA 28/Apr/1792. There I hit a wall - and no matter how many family names that come up in all of the messages - and there are many, many of the same given names - none of them seem to fit in my family. Hasn't anyone gotten back to any Donovan's of that era and in that territory? Seems like all have come from New York - Canada - Australia - PA - etc., and I am so frustrated!!! There has to be someone out there that can claim family roots with my clan - surely!!! Cornelius & Martha had a son "Jeremiah" born in VA 1790. He married a Martha Cooney in 1814. They had a son by the name of Cornelius and two daughters - Margaret - b. approx. 1828 - d.2/10/1859. Mary - b.1819 - d. 1852/1854. I have ships lists of passengers full of James Patrick, Dennis, Jeremiah, etc., etc., and nobody fits!!!! Come on somebody out there - I know this has to fit someone! I can bring you right on down with the James - Cornelius - Jeremiah's and John right to my father whose name was Jeremiah after his grandfather Dr. Jeremiah Donovan -who also had seven sons that were doctors. My Donovan's migrated from KY to IL in a covered wagon and as far as I know that group stayed there until they' all died. Hope to hear from someone before I finally give up hope completely - I am a total novice at this and I have gotten totally confused (not that I wasn't already) and frustrated - HELP PLEASE HELP!!!