This is an interesting list, like the free-wheeling, stream of consciousness discussion that has taken place over the past two weeks. Given the range of topics covered and expansive knowledge-base displayed by those on the list, wondered if folks would be willing to comment on or respond to the following questions? Am really curious about how people, my family in particular, connected with others during the nineteenth century in Co. Clare. For example, would Freeholding families encourage their children to marry other Freeholding families in order to consolidate property and provide support for agricultural or business activity? For rural folks, how important was the association with a particular townland? How important was the parish? Kilmaley Parish where some of my ancestors lived, appears geographical large (although the descriptions of it suggest it was not prize real estate) pretty big for people to go to one church. In the States, a parish is served by one church, school, etc. Was this the case in rural 19th century Ireland? Did the other political subdivisions, e.g. Baronies, Unions and District Electoral Divisions, have any significance or impact on their lives. These appear to have been in effect at different times and to reflect the presence of divers political powers in Ireland from the seventeenth through twentieth centuries. When were individuals expected to become self supporting or to actively contribute to the family. Among Irish emigrants in the states, it appears that 14/15 was when boys were expected to stop school and get jobs. Was this the same in Ireland. What about girls? What was the appropriate age for men to marry and for women to marry? Were youngest children expected to stay at home to care for elderly parents? What were the obligations of children toward their parents and their siblings. Which was more important family or neighbors? Are there any anthropological, sociological, ethno-historic or historic studies of nineteenth century Irish communities, particularly those in Clare? Any such studies that look at settlement systems and structure, marriage patterns, migration into and out of Clare? Relations between English emigrants--soldiers, administrators, landlords--and Irish. What happened to Irish commoners/peasants who intermarried or fraternized with the English or who converted to the Church of England? Thanks for your patience with my long winded verbal ramblings. Look forward to any comments, insight or suggestions you might have. Kerry Cahill McGrath Iowa USA