Good evening all, With thanks to Mick Purcell I have managed to trace a line in my family tree to the late 1700's to two brothers; John Dear and Thomas Dear, the latter from which I descend and who married a Judith Dunne. I imagine the brothers were born c1775 or earlier. Information I have to date (Source: Carlow Heritage Society/Clayton-Browne Papers/Mick Purcell): There is a Judith Dunne listed at Raheenwood, Old Leighlin, in Griffith's Valuations 1852 as renting 'Houses, and Land' from Anne Vigors and Sisters. Land area listed as follows: A=2 R=1 r=29. Cost of land rent IR£1. House rent is 5 shillings making total, IR£1 and 5 shillings. This may be the same Judith Dunne who married Thomas. If so, he may have passed away by this point, if this was the home that he and his wife settled in. Extract from Browne-Clayton Papers: 'Kallender of Prisoners in Custody Newton, Esquire, High Sheriff of Carlow, 6th day of October 1796. Edward Byrne fined two marks and to give Security to be of the Peace for seven years. John Rourke guilty of assault, fined one mark (13 shillings and 4 pence) and then discharged. Thomas Deer found guilty of two assaults and to be imprisoned for a fortnight, fined six pence.' This also tells us Thomas was a blacksmith. Following the 1798 rebellion men in the area made the statements such as the following made by Thomas (records found in UK by, and held by, Mick Purcell): 'Thomas Deer of Bridewell Lane, Dealer, Sworn by his brother John Deer of Cockpit lane, had a pike and gave to Mr. Nowland the priest and requires a protection.' Thomas's son James raised his own family on Pollerton Road, but I would like to find out where his father Thomas and uncle James were born. I have a feeling it may be Killeshin. I may be wrong. I am at a dead end at this point and so far have been unable to find out who the parents of Thomas and John are. Can anyone point me in the right direction, offer some suggestions? -- Regards, Kristian