This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mscott0071 Surnames: Bratt, Fitzgerald, McDowell, Neary, Redding, and Riley, Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.ireland.lex.general/2831/mb.ashx Message Board Post: My apologies if this request has been previously posted. My wife is of Irish descent and we have run into a "WALL." Imagine that- Most if not all of her relatives came in through New York but few records are available. We found burial records for five of the family members in New York but they lack any previous data more specifically parentage or, provide only general birth information such as country of birth= Ireland. We had a break through recently and discovered that a paternal mother, Mary B. McDowell born in or raised in Portloaise, Ireland about 1867 /- some number of years and died 1967. Surviving family members suggest the lady was 100 years old or older at the time of her demise. Hoping that the lady was Catholic and at the very least, I feel I should be able to locate Birth and or Baptismal records more accurately, both would be best. I plan on spending some time in Portloaise this coming November if someone out there has recommendations for me to follow up on Ms. McDowell. Any and all guidance is greatly appreciated. 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.