Part of my family comes from Kinlough, in Co. Leitrim. There are many McGowans in this area. So if you need a parish location, you might try Rossinver parish. Manorhamilton was the nearest large area where records were filed. There are a number of McGowans listed in IGI, if you haven't checked it. Rosemary Cairns I, too, am looking for McGowan's in Leitrim. Supposedly, it is quite a common name, equivalent to "Smith". Some of my information has come from my grandfather's "autobiography", which has been generally reliable; the rest from records I've been able to dig up. My great-grandmother was Ellen E. McGowan of Manorhamiton, Leitrim. IRE. Share my world in pictures on Webshots. Have a look at http://community.webshots.com/user/rosemary102101. --------------------------------- The best gets better. See why everyone is raving about the All-new Yahoo! Mail.