Interesting. I have no idea if there is a connection, although it IS curious that in the passenger list I find Isabella Matthews coming over with her two children, James and Ellen, PLUS another child named "Thomas Matthews." Always wondered whatever happened to this child!!! He never appears anywhere else with her, so I thought perhaps he was a relative she brought over for someone else. My John Matthews had a brother George (I am guessing that was the relationship) who was a photographer in Pittsburgh (mid-1800's) and he was made guardian of John's children when their father died of malaria contracted in the Civil War. I know from the military records John was redheaded, fair complexion, blue eyes, 5 foot 7 inches tall. I have a photo of him. Does any of this sound like your family? Other than that, all I know is that the family was Presbyterian. Do you know where in Tyrone your family was from? Thanks for writing, Kevin! Patti ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)