Dear Fellow Listers, Because of the possibility of a Kilkenny connection for my Cuddihy ancestors, I have directed this message to the Kilkenny Rootsweb as well as the Tipperay Rootsweb. My great-grandmother often made the comment that her family originated in Kilkenny where they were referred to as the "Kilkenny Cats." Since the Tipperary/Kilkenny border sits atop a great coal field and mining, whether it be coal or rock quarries, were always associated with my ancestors, there is a possibility that might be the true origins of my Cuddihy family. Therefore, I would appreciate if any interested researchers would take into consideration the following information as it may relate to County Kilkenny. My search for my ancestors, Patrick Crehan (b.1844,d.?) and Mary Cuddihy (b.1846,d.1910) is centered around Silvermines, Tipperary where Patrick and Mary were married in 1863. Mary (Cuddihy) Crehan gave birth to my great-aunt, also named Mary, in Dec. of 1864. Mary was born in the Townland of Garrymore which is situated in Kilmore Parish. Patrick worked in Silvermines as a miner which was a trade that he followed even after the family immigrated to America in 1866. After having arrived in America, the family moved to various places and locations that had to do with the mining industry. I traced their movements based upon the birth of their children. That is, from Missouri in 1866 to Houghton, Michigan where Patrick made his Declaration of Intent for Citizenship and then on to Rondout/Kingston, New York where his citizenship was granted in 1868. The family lived in this area until 1877 when they moved back West to Indiana where my grandfather, John, was born in 1877. ! Finally, the family settled in Illinois where I found them on the US Census of 1880. After searching for over 20 years, I only recently made the Houghton, Michigan and Rondout/Kingston, New York connection and it was mainly do to the kindness and generosity that was offered to me by others in helping me to research the 1870 US Census. At present, I am interested in establishing once and for all the origins of Patrick and Mary prior to 1863. The Town of Fethard, Tipperary still remains a good possibility for the birthplace of my great-grandfather, Patrick Crehan/Crean. Also, I am of the opinion that Mary was born into the Cuddihy/Cuddy family in and around the Nenagh, Tipperary area. Whatever resources or ideas that someone might have to offer towards establishing their birthplace in Ireland once and for all would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime, I would like to share with you the opportunity to read the book that I have written, "Free of Charge." It is published on a web in Ireland even though I am a citizen of the United States. The URL is http://fethard.com/crane The book is titled, Green Is The Valley, Blue Are The Hills." Since it is posted on Acrobat Reader and is 283 pages long and includes 17 photographs, it takes considerable time to download; that is, about 3 to 4 minutes. I have also included 17 poems in the book that are of my own creation. While the book is based upon the genealogical process, it is, in a sense, a story. Because the book is, "Free To Read," I do not think that anyone could consider this offering as spam. The fact is, it has been posted on the web for more than a year and when I make my first dime, I will donate it to the charity of your choosing. I hope that someone may be able to provide me with some leads in my search and especially after reading my book as there is considerable additional information contained in it. Also, I hope that whoever does read my book will gain some enjoyment from it simply for the pleasure that I hope it offers. It is in that regard that I look forward to any comments regarding my book that you might wish to make. With all good wishes, Tom Crane