Hello All I am new to the list and have finally found information about my Irish anceststors. I am planning a trip to Northern Ireland this May and would like advice on the best course of action to confirm what information I have and to add to it. My great gradfather was JAMES DIAMOND born in WIGAN, LANCS c.1821 On the 1841 census he is Aged 20 and living in WIGAN with PHILIP DIAMOND Aged 80 born in IRELAND CHARLOTTE DIAMOND Aged 70 born in IRELAND EDWARD DIAMOND Aged 25 born in IRELAND EDWARD McDONALD Aged 20 born in IRELAND MARGARET DIAMOND Aged 9 born in LANCS In 1849 James married ANN ELLISON in the Parish Church in Wigan. On the marriage cert. it states that James' father was called PHILIP and was a weaver. Information from the Irish records shows a PHILIP DIAMOND was born c.1764 in MILL STREET, SHANKILL, Co. ANTRIM and was baptised 7th May 1772 at ST. ANNE'S SHANKILL. His parents were PHILIP DIAMOND & ELIZABETH BURRUS. Philip then went on to marry CHARLOTTE KIERAN in DUNDALK RC Church on 19th Dec. 1795 with witnesses PATT McDONNEL and NIC DEARY. I have several queries which I hope someone will be able to help me with. 1. Why the long gap between Philip's birth and Baptism? 2. Philip and Charlotte seem rather old to be James' parents. They would have been married for 20 years even before Edward was born. Could they be their grandparents? If so - where are the parents? and where does Margaret fit into the family? 3. Could Edward McDonald be related to the witness Patt McDonnel? Any suggestions would be most gratefully received.