Many thanks to all of you for the great help and finds.looks as if I will up a creek with no paddle as for Thomas Cochrane he was not a citizen of the united states.the story goes he came from Greenock scotland in 1844, at the age of thirteen doesn't look like I will be able to find ship he came on or what port.but anyway thanks much,your sure a very helpful group.shirley

Shirley, Take heart, finding ship arrival info can take years. And sometimes you just don't find it. If you are trying to find out who Thomas Colhane's parents where, have you tried contacting the county where he died and or the state of Iowa to try to locate a death certificate for him. His wife likely gave the information for that certificate and if she knew his parents names they may be on his death certificate. Cheryl > Many thanks to all of you for the great help and finds.looks as if I will up > a creek with no paddle as for Thomas Cochrane he was not a citizen of the > united states.the story goes he came from Greenock scotland in 1844, at the > age of thirteen doesn't look like I will be able to find ship he came on or > what port.but anyway thanks much,your sure a very helpful group.shirley