Hi all you Irish! My grandmother mother spelled her name Kerwin, my mother spelled it Kirwin, some Irish spell it Kirwan -- but I found tombstones near Waterford with Kirwin on them. So -- the Irish not only didn't know their birthdates, they didn't know how to spell very well either. Never-the-less, a trip to Ireland is a trip to paradise. I've driven from Dublin to Shannon, would like to walk it some day -- doubt that I will however. Getting too old. My Kerwins are Bev's Kerwins, but I spell Catherine with a "C" (Catherine Kennedy) and Catherine's death certificate says she was born in Wilton Center, Illinois. So, it's John W. Kirwin (Kirwan/Kirwin) b. Ireland or Canada in 1845 d. Wichita, Kansas in 1888; m. Catherine Kennedy b. Wilton Center, Illinois maybe a wee bit earlier than John W. d. Wichita, Kansas 1905. John W. is found in the Joliet. Illinois Census for 1850 with father John ,mother Bridget and several siblings.John W. and Catherine moved to Kansas sometime in the 1870's and my grandmother was born there, in Hodgeman County, Kansas on 10 August 1878. I became interested in my family history before I was married in 1950, but never had the time or wherewithal to pursue the hobby until 14 months ago, when I decided time was running short -- and I purchased a great computer. I am very fortunate in that I live a few miles from one of the best genealogy libraries in California and also within an hour's drive from the National Archives at Laguna Niguel, California. There are also several LDS Family History Centers nearby -- don't neglect those. I found Kerwins in New Hampshire in early 1800's and there were several infant John Kerwins - Kirwans in ship records, but there is no connection yet. I believe my Kerwins came to Canada first. since my great grandfather John W. said he was born in Vermont in a later census -- some Vermont territory moved back and forth between countries for a while and his father said he was John W. was born in Canada. All in all, I have found many records on all my families and have spent much time looking for what they did, how they lived, their religion, occupation, etc. -- which is more important to me than which ship they came over on. By the way, my son had an Irish teacher who said Kirwin (Kirwan/Kerwin) meant cowshed or cow keeper in Gaelic -- could be. My grand daughter is named Erin, which we all know means "Peace". Carole (Kirwan/Kerwin/Kirwin)Conner Gaskill Beckner Shanahan