Hi It would be interesting to know just how many of our friends on the IRL List had ancestors who were (probably) amongst the groups being shipped out to New York towards the end of 1709. Genealogical research is difficult enough when we are faced with such a dearth of official Irish records, but when it comes to scanning the dreary passenger manifests on Cyndi's List and similar very good but incomprehensible sites, the problem becomes acute. How do you know the port of embarkation? What was the ship's name? What port in America (or Canada/Australia) was it destined for? What happened to the immigrants thereafter? A great deal of assistance is offered on-line, but it is so difficult to navigate (no irony intended here) the databases. With the Palatines of Limerick, Wexford, Cork and Kerry, etc., we can refer easily to Walter Knittle's excellent source as a starting point. But, frankly, after that the hunt can founder so easily. The good thing is that we persist. And persist. We are dogged because we want to know and feel we have a right to know. >From time to time, some of these transcripts throw out a thread of encouragement, but the refugees out of Ireland are dealt with very cursorily. I will include as much information as Groves provides me with, but it is scant in this regard. By the way what were the names of the many troopships and packet boats that ferried our people in six 'crossings'. I calculate that each boat, on average, would carry about 250 souls, in very cramped conditions. That makes a lot of ships, man. Does anybody know this trivial detail? ***START HERE*** Printed Calendar of Treasury Papers for 1708 1714 p 148 MS Vol 117 No 27 Memorial dated 17 December 1709 of the Officers of Ordnance to the Duke of Marlborough in reference to the furnishing to the Palatines going to New York 600 tents, firelocks* &c. They had issued tents for the whole of the Palatines encamped at Camberwell & Blackheath, and no money had been given for either service. They also claim sums for other services, and ask That her Majesty shall give directions for payment. Enclosed is an estimate for the tents. [* Muskets; occasionally, the word 'firing' is used too. I think this also refers to the old flintlocks, rather than logs and kindling, as I initially thought] ___________________ p 149 MS Vol 117 No 30 Memorial dated 17 December 1709 of Henry Bendysh to the Lord Treasurer (Godolphin) Has executed charter parties with Commanders and Owners of ships who were to carry the 3000 and about 300 Palatines to New York at £5 10s per head, And Memorialist was therefore bound for between £18000 and £19000 besides demurrage*. Prays for a Warrant to the Hon Spencer Compton esq for a payment for the same at the rate of £1500 a week. In the Minute Book 13 Sep 1710 is Order for £500 per week to pay Mr Bendysh £25000 balance due of £25854 15s 8d due for transporting Palatines to New York. [*Penalty for late loading] ***END HERE*** [We shall see more later, with reference to the pitch and tar projects.] Bye bye Terry