Our list of "good books" already includes "People Make Places - The Story of the Irish Palatines" by Patrick J O'Connor ISBN 0 9512184 1 7 I also have a copy of "All Ireland is in and about Rathkeale", ISBN 0 9512184 7 6, published by Oireacht na Mumhan Books 1966. Rathkeale has a rich and varied history. Palatines are a part of it. But I believe that to understand the part the Palatines have played - and still play - in Ireland I need to understand the history, geography and culture of "All Ireland". So I have enjoyed this book. The author makes many references to the "Southwell-Brown" Papers. These are another important collection of old documents, dating between 1706 and 1807, that were acquired by the Irish Palatine Association of Rathkeale in 1991 - thanks to the Bishop family of Kirkton, Ontario. I don't think they've been published yet, they may still be under analysis. They relate particularly to the Anglo-Irish landlords of our first forebears in Ireland. Perhaps they may not give us any great answers on the genealogical front, but explain a lot about the way of life at the time. Do you know more about them, Ken? TO TERRY PYPER - thank's so much for your transcripts of those Tennyson Groves papers! I want to tell you that in his book "All Ireland is in and about Rathkeale", Mr O'Connor refers to records amongst the "Southwell-Brown" papers concerning a robbery perpetrated against one George Piper, the miller of Courtmatrix, in September 1767. Perhaps if, as you say, Terry, you plan to visit Rathkeale this year, you may wish to liaise with the Irish Palatine Association to see if you can find out more about what is recorded. I know I'm not supposed to advertise (I hope this doesn't count as doing so), but do I hope all who are interested in Palatine History will join this society. It's run by volunteers who work very hard indeed. They're just ordinary people like you and I, working all day, and trying hard in their spare time to keep a museum/resource centre/association going in their spare time. They don't undertake to do genealogical research (you can't blame them - can you imagine trying to do that for EVERY family!) but will try to put you in touch with other researchers if you ask (with SAE if poss). They preserve all artifacts and history they can, and keep a paper file on every Palatine name of information, photographs, family trees that are sent to them. You get a little annual journal with your membership that tell's you all sorts of fascinating facts about Palatine researchers world-wide INCLUDING SOME VERY INTERESTING STORIES FROM PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ON THE INTERNET !!!! (It's not compulsory - yet!) The application form is on www.erin.ie/ipa At least take a look at the above site to see the costume display in the centre - that's what your umpteen-great grandparents would have worn in the early 1700s. And whether you join them or not - do please send them any info you have on your Palatine family history - even if you think it's very little. Love from Di England ( !! where the weather's a bit dull at the moment - maybe why we're getting a bit talkative !!) (Floundering around in Shier/Barkman/Le Gear)