Dear Jean Old, There is a way to establish Irish families parent names. It does need to be tested, " Old Irish Naming Patterns" Sons 1st son was named after the father's father 2nd son was named after the mother's father 3rd son was named after the father 4th son was named after the father's eldest brother Daughters 1st daughter was named after the mother's mother 2nd daughter was named after the father's mother 3rd daughter was named after the mother 4th daughter was named after the mother's eldest sister Once you have checked that your ancestors used the naming pattern, you have the name of their parents. Not all families willwork out the same. Good luck Dave