This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McFarland, McKey Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FG0.2ACIB/60.504.1 Message Board Post: How far back can you trace your McFarlsnds in Beaver Co., PA? I just recently found my John McKey and wife Sarah McFarland in the 1840 and 1850 census in Ohio Twp, Beaver Co., PA. All their children were born there and they moved from there to Tiverton Twp., Coshocton Co., OH and appear there in the 1860 census although a few of the children died there after 1855. Both of them were born in Ireland but there are McKeys and McFarlands in both Ohio township and South Beaver township to the north. I aven't found any church or tax records for them yet to try and connect them. The 1800-1840 census are no help but do list both a William McFarland and a Robert McFarland. THere was a lso a later William McFarland that might be Sarah's brother but his oldest child was born in Canada suggesting either some of them came in via that route or he moved there and came back. I went to the library today looking for info on Beaver and the McFarlands and McKeys and did run across some birographies,one on Benjamin McFarland that says his parents, Robert McFarland (d. 1862 aged 84) and Catherine Pence (d. 1860 aged, 66) came to Beaver county from Westmoreland in 1824 and settled in Black Hawk in Chippewa township first before moving to South Beaver township. THey emigrated in 1812 and moved directly to Westmoreland where they were members of the Salem Presbyterian church. Many members of that church moved to Beaver and founded the New Salem church in South Beaver township. The census records indicate some McFarlands and McKeys in Westmoreland near the Salem church so it sounds like a plausible migration. I don't know whether your McFarlands are from that area or not. I did right down from the 1820 to 1850 census what McFarlands were found in both Beaver and Westmoreland if you are interested. If any of these people or events sound familiar let me know. I don't know whether my McKeys are related to the McKees that are also found there as they always spelled the name McKey in all records, even the census and tax records. By the way there are McFarlands in Coshocton where the McKeys settled that are supposed to be connected. I do have some information on them in case some of your ancestors children moved away and you don't know where to look.