This is a tough one as you have no starting point. I suggest you go to the U.S. Censuses as that is where I found my father's parents. I did find a John and Bridget McGowan who were godparents to my grandfather's brother Pat who was born in 1882. This was in the townland of Glenree, Kilgarvan RC Parish, County Mayo. I found no one else my that name of McPhillips. Sorry I could not be of more help. ed Quoting Sherlock Holmes <[email protected]>: FRANCIS SOUTHWICK wrote: I am looking to locate my family. My gg grandfather was called Charles McPhillips born c 1838.  I do not know which county he was born in.  His father was also called Charles. Also my gg grandmother Rose Ann McGowan born c 1840.  Again I do not know the county she was born in.  Her father was called John. Charles and Rose Ann were married in Northumberland in England in 1866. Can anyone get me any information on these families. Thank you.  unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm