Nigel: Would offer some comments re your question on how US counties and even cities got their names For example I'm looking at a map of Pennsylvania counties. Lancaster, Somerset, York, Luzerne, Lycoming, etc. No doubt they were founded and named by folks who came from similar places in England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. Many cities in the US are named after individuals who were very prominent the the early days. For example, the individual was a large land owner or prosperous business person. Many counties were named in the same way. In some parts of the US Indian names are used for towns and counties... In the southwest US, Mexican names as well as Indian are very common for towns, streets, and even counties..... There is a small community in CA that is called Somerset... Perhaps founded by an Englishman who got tired of looking for gold. How were counties name in the UK? Cultural links as you describe, are called "Sister City Programs" in the US . You have estabished a Cultura Link with your questions and coversation. I think its great! SANDI CA