This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/YWC.2ACI/488.493.3281.2.2 Message Board Post: It's been my experience that most McGirl (and variations) came from Leitrim. My great-grandfather was JOHN McGIRL. Came to Rhode Island, USA, from Leitrim 1865-1870. He was born about 1845, but the church records held by Leitrin (Ballinamore) Heritage Center, don't have records of him, nor of his known brothers. His brothers - also came to R.I. - were PATRICK, THOMAS and JAMES. All I know about the parents is that their names were THOMAS and MARY McGIRL. Would love to make a connection to any other siblings they had, and to discover their mother's maiden name, and their home place in Leitrim!