This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: NiamhBlake Surnames: Cormac, Cormack, McCormack, Delaney, Phelan Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.lex.general/2825.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Colin, I'm afraid my McCormack records aren't early enough to find a Catherine anyway, I haven't managed that far back yet. I can place my ancestors around Clonehurk in the 1830s and later at Ringstown. >From my experience, I pay no heed to the variations in the name, you're almost always relying on the discretion and interpretation of the priest, so I'd include them all in searches. You might study the number of families in different areas recorded under various spellings around 1850 here - http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&Surname=McCormack&UserID= - you see very few use Cormack, and even fewer use Cormac (even though it's probably more authentic Gaelic, if you like). You may have a harder time researching Delaney & Phelan, just because they seem to be very common surnames in Laois. Niamh Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.