For those of us who have been researching the Lodowick Laird line, I may have come across a possible clue to his father's name. - ---------------------------------------------------- From: The History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (I copied this some years ago and didn't have the sense to write down the complete source information-CL). p. 16-17 "The emigration began prior to 1718, although few in number and in illustration of the commencement of Scotch-Irish settlement in America, we give herewith the 'Memorial to Governor Shute, of Massachusetts, from residents in the north of Ireland." The memorial is important to us, from the fact that the great majority of the signers subsequently found homes in Paxtang, Hanover, and Derry" (counties in PA). "To His Excellency, the Right Honorable Collonel Samuel Shute, Governour of New England. We, whose names are underwritten, Inhabitants of ye North of Ireland, Doe in our own names, and in the names of many others our Neighbours, Gentlemen, Ministers, Farmers, and Tradesmen, Commissionate and appoint our trusty and well-beloved Friend, the Reverend Mr. William Boyd of Macasky, to His Excellency the Right Honorable Collonel Samuel Shuitte, Governour of New England, and to assure His Excellency of our sincere and hearty Inclination to Transport ourselves to that very excellent and renowned Plantation, upon our obtaining from His Excellency suitable encouragement; and further, to act and Doe in our names as his Prudence shall direct. Given under our hands this 26th day of march, Anno Dom. 1718." The document then contains 310 names of those who signed the Memorial. Among these names is WILLIAM LAIRD. Another name on this list is MATTHEW LORD, however, my research indicates that Matthew is not a name that was passed down through our particular Laird families, while William is. Could this William be Lodowick's father? What do you think? For those who may have other Scotch-Irish names they are researching, I would be glad to do look-ups. Please e-mail look-up requests to me at LALAIRD@compuserve.com I have also posted the above to the Scotch-Irish List. Regards, Carolyn Laird