Geoff, First, what religion are your people? Number 1 question for Irish researchers as you use different sources depending on the answer. Second, what sources have you used? It sounds as if it might be British army records. Great source. Where did James and Joseph die? Do you have an obituary? If they died in their own communities, surely there is one. Since they were "famous" people, I should think a dictionary of Irish biographies or some such reference work would have write ups of them. Have you contacted libraries in Cork city or Dublin or London (your name looks English) to see? I would expect that an obituary or a biographical write up would give parents. I have other ideas, but let us know what you have tried already. Elizabeth W. Knowlton Message text written by INTERNET:IRL-CORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com >Greetings all I am new to this list and want to post my Cork interests. James DENNIS was born on 2nd June 1777 in the City of Cork. His parents are unknown. He married on 24th June 1802 Sarah LAWTON, the daughter of Hugh Travor LAWTON, and alderman of the City of Cork. James joined the British army in 1796 and had an illustrious career, winding up as Maj Gen Sir James DENNIS. He is known to have had a brother, Joseph, who became a barrister in the City of Cork. Another James DENNIS was born to John DENNIS and Anne BULLEN in Kinsale in about 1721. He pursued a legal and political career, becoming a barrister in 1746, 3rd Serjeant at Law (Ireland) in 1764, 2nd Serjeant in 1767, Prime Serjeant in 1774 and finally Chief Baron of the Exchequer (Ireland) in 1777. He was created a peer as Baron Tracton of Tracton Abbey, County Cork in 1781. He married Elizabeth PIGOTT in 1749 and died childless in 1782, providing an annuity for his wife and leaving the remainder of his estate to his nephews provided that they changed their name to DENNIS. Sir James DENNIS was granted a coat of arms. It was almost identical to that of Lord Tracton, the motto was the same, and The General Armory states that James DENNIS (later Sir James) was of the family of Lord Tracton. One of Sir James' children was given the names James Bullen. Questions-- Does any lister have any information on these DENNIS families or the LAWTON family? Can anyone suggest how I might uncover information about the births of James and Joseph DENNIS and their parents? Many thanks Geoff Ward<