The single most important item of information for Irish family history research is a precise place of origin, and the most important tool in identifying Irish placenames is the 1851 Townlands Index. They've altered their site recently, this is the new URL for any Townland questions : http://www.ireland.com/ancestor/placename/index.cfm" Irish Ancestors;Placenames http://www.caughey.demon.co.uk and then click on: Irish Ancestors. This should make it possible for you to search 65,000 Irish placenames. -- Also this incomplete but very handy townland data base here: http://www.thecore.com/cgi-bin/ire-srch IreAtlas TOWNLAND DATA BASE http://www.expediamaps.com/PlaceFinder.asp Can get to parish level but not townlands. A townland is NOT a town. It is the smallest administrative unit in Ireland based on the ancient pastures. Ellen