Hi fellow descendents, I too am generally a "lurker" but find this the most fascinating of all the lists I belong to. I feel that it is unique as all of us living in many parts of the world are connected by not a name, but a region and a period of history as all of us descend from people who were brave enough to venture out into the unknown, very early on, some settling only "briefly" then moving on to other new places. I am descended from a Sparling who emigrated again in the early 1800s', this time to Ontario, Canada, starting a new life near Shiers and Switzers in Blanshard Township, Perth County. I am not actively researching that line at present, but find this list so interesting and full of information that I feel I am beginning to know all the various families. I'd love to know where some of the others moved on to and settled. Margot Jorgensen, Courtenay B. C. Canada

Hi, Margot, and Everybody - ><<I'd love to know where some of the others moved on to and settled. >Margot Jorgensen, Courtenay B. C. Canada>> That's a great idea. The migration patterns of our IP ancestors are most interesting and they may provide clues to the rest of us. Let's get this new thread kicked off! My own ancestors, the EMPEYS, emigrated from Ireland in June of 1786. (Years-long search for where in Ireland they lived has been fruitless to date...) The family, which consisted of two or maybe even three brothers and their respective families, had been converted by John WESLEY, and they were fervent Methodists. As was true of other Methodists, the EMPEYS traveled with Methodist friends, who all were eager for a new life in the Colonies. The families with whom they traveled that summer included but were not limited to the following: John BAKER, Sr., and Richard SUTLIFF. The party arrived in NYC on 21 Jul 1786, where they sought out Philip EMBURY and his group, all of whom they had known on the Emerald ISLE. Having arranged for the purchase of a large tract of land in upstate NY, the EMPEY family traveled north to Washington County, and to the hamlet of Ash Grove, where they settled with other IP families that had arrived previously. Our brick wall has been the Irish connection. Where in Ireland did the EMPEYS live? What were the women's names? We have some proof of George and John EMPEY, two of the brothers who came over, but what about wives? Anyway... that's the scoop on one IP family. Who else? Thanks again for your postings from the Groves transcripts, Terry. Susan Susan Laursen Willig [email protected] List Tender for: NY-WarWashSar; Sullivan Co., NH; Addison Co., VT; IRL-Palatine