I have been searching for ggrands Michael and Bridget Nicholson. Using Irish Origins through the Origins Network I find in the 1841 U.K. Census Irish Strays Michael Nicholson listed in Cheshire etc. and Bridget Nicholson in Staffordshire etc. The ages seem about right from what else I know. What would be the probability of these people being my folks? Any speculation as to why they would not be living together in U.K.? They had young children but none are listed in the Census. In Griffith's 1857 Michael Nicholson is listed in Donegal, Townland Rossbeg and Bridget Nicholson in Donegal, Townland Naran as a Freeholder. My ggrandfather James Nicholson son of Michael and Bridget arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1860. Any suggestions for further research? Griffith's lists also Poor Law Union Glenties, Barony Boylagh and Parish Inishkeel for both Michael and Bridget. David Nicholson

David Sounds a bit unusual but as Cheshire and Staffordshire share a border they might have been working over there, or it may be someone else. Unfortunately Michael and Bridget are quite common Irish names. I have the same problem with William and Mary in the UK. If you think they were in Uk try the 1851 as well and you can probably get to that at an LDS or your local library/genealogical society. I think I am correct in saying that many of the Irish went to Uk to work. They may have left the children with grandparents or other relatives. I know from going through the shipping to Australia that a number of people left children with relatives even to come to Australia which is a much bigger call than leaving them to hop across to England which you can see on a clear day. On the other hand you do now have a towland or two to research and it might be worthwhile following up the churches in the areas. Good luck Irish research is so much more difficult than English Jennifer >