Hello listers: I’m hoping that someone will be able to give me a bit of advice. I’m trying to find my way across the "pond", as they say. The earliest mention of my ancestor (a Francis McGuire) is found in a 1734 record in Goochland Co., Virginia. This Francis may have been born around 1724 in America? I’m hoping that some research in Ireland may possibly pick up the trail on the other side of the Ocean. But, I'm not certain where I should start? Would anybody possibly have any suggestions for me? If you were looking for a "McGuire" ancestor that came to America prior to 1734; from what county in Ireland would they have come from? I’m wondering… what counties in Ireland in late the 1600's and early 1700's would have contained the most "Mc" or "Mac"Guire spellings? One other possibly useful clue, my family frequently named their males Francis McGuire. There were 6-7 Francis McGuires in my family tree going back to 8 generations. Thanks for your thoughts, and advice. Josiah Email: [email protected]

Josiah, I don't know about 1700s, but in the 1800s, Cavan is definitely the spot -- have you tried this site yet? It also lists some McGuire websites. http://www.ireland.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID= Also, be sure to check the message boards at rootsweb for info about McGuire, if you haven't done so already--my best information has come from people finding Me after I left a message. Nancy