Hello again Terry, How would I know whether they did? I took it for granted that they were referring to a village, but I have no basis for this assumption. They apparently knew each other because they came out in groups of families, the youngsters of these groups married into each other's families. There were approximately five families who intermarried. Three of them into my ancestors, both male and female that I know of. There may have been more families but I have no way to find out. Thank you for this information ,it puts a new look at the times, and sets me researching different avenues. Regards, Jill J Jill, Some of the families may have lived in the civil parish of Clane which consisted of 22 townlands as well as the town of Clane. The figures for the whole parish were as follows: 1841: total population: 2,160 including 1,105 males and 1,055 females. total houses: 378: inhabited 371: uninhabited 6: being built 1. 1851: total population 1,842 including 945 males and 897 females. total houses: 371: inhabited 354: uninhabited 17. Terry Arthur.