> >On the family names, a point that I can make is that Gray in that area is >often synonomous with Colreavy, strange as that may seem, so you need to >be aware of both names. In fact one of my cousins says that if you live >in the country, your name is Colreavy; if you live in town, your name is Gray. >Nancy Gray Nancy, You may already know this, but an Irish priest friend of mine told me that the English, in their never-ending effort to wipe out Irish culture and people, forced the Irish to change their names. They wanted them changed to the name of an occupation or a color (e.g. Gray). (Our family from Longford is named "Creamer" I suppose they have milk cows to this day.) David Myers

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. The information provided is very helpful. Below is all the information I have on my father-in-law. He immigrated to the USA as a young man (from Ireland). I interviewed him a few years ago to learn more about his family. The information below is all the specifics he was able to provide. (Although he did give me some great details about his life as he was growing up in Ireland.) If anyone has any further details on any of these individuals, please let me know. Thanks again, Karen Ancestors of William James COOKE Generation No. 1 1. William James COOKE, born in Ballinamuck, County Longford, Ireland. He was the son of 2. Edward Joseph COOKE and 3. Katherine (Katie) GRAY. He married (1) Henrietta Veronica SHEEHAN in Portland, OR. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Henry MOSCINSKI and Adelline Veronica WERNER. Generation No. 2 2. Edward Joseph COOKE, born Unknown in Cornakelly, Dromard Parish, County Longford, Ireland; died 1949 in County Longford, Ireland. He was the son of 4. Edward COOKE and 5. Anne MCMANUS. He married 3. Katherine (Katie) GRAY. 3. Katherine (Katie) GRAY, born 1884 in Garvary, County Longford, Ireland; died 29 Nov 1976 in County Longford, Ireland. She was the daughter of 6. Patrick GRAY and 7. Catherine HEALY. Children of Edward COOKE and Katherine GRAY are: i. John COOKE, born in Ballinamuck, Cornakelly, Longford, Ireland; married Bernadette UNKNOWN 14 Aug. ii. Edward COOKE, born 1922; died 04 May 1952. iii. William James COOKE, born in Ballinamuck, County Longford, Ireland; married Henrietta Veronica SHEEHAN in Portland, OR. iv. Michael COOKE, born Unknown; married Mary. v. Mary COOKE, born Unknown. Generation No. 3 4. Edward COOKE, born Unknown; died Unknown. He married 5. Anne MCMANUS. 5. Anne MCMANUS, born 20 Jun 1864 in Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland; died Unknown. She was the daughter of 10. James MCMANUS and 11. Margaret WADE. Children of Edward COOKE and Anne MCMANUS are: i. Edward Joseph COOKE, born Unknown in Cornakelly, Dromard Parish, County Longford, Ireland; died 1949 in County Longford, Ireland; married Katherine (Katie) GRAY. ii. Joseph COOKE, born Unknown; married Annie HAGEN. 6. Patrick GRAY, born in County Longford, Ireland. He married 7. Catherine HEALY. 7. Catherine HEALY, born in County Longford, Ireland. Children of Patrick GRAY and Catherine HEALY are: i. Katherine (Katie) GRAY, born 1884 in Garvary, County Longford, Ireland; died 29 Nov 1976 in County Longford, Ireland; married Edward Joseph COOKE. ii. William (Willie) GRAY, born Unknown. iii. Margaret (Peggy) GRAY, born Unknown; married Michael MCINTIRE; born Unknown. iv. Bridgid GRAY, born Unknown. Generation No. 4 10. James MCMANUS He married 11. Margaret WADE. 11. Margaret WADE Children of James MCMANUS and Margaret WADE are: i. Anne MCMANUS, born 20 Jun 1864 in Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland; died Unknown; married Edward COOKE. ii. James MCMANUS, born 16 Jan 1870 in Longford, Ireland.