There really is no rhyme or reason why one will or will not know where one's ancestor originated from in Ireland, or for anywhere else in Europe for that matter. The majority of our ancestors were very poor and illiterate and as was mentioned in one of the replies - they were just glad to leave their homeland. For those Irish who came just before, during and right after the Famine, they were not really welcomed in America. There were many places that had signs "Irish need not apply." I have come across records where they don't even say Ireland, but United Kingdom or Great Britain. Many Irish went to Liverpool and other places in England for several years before leaving for America or Canada. You also have to consider the person who asked the questions - the forms that were used - the intent of the immigrant themselves. New England records, which followed British record keeping in many instances, seem to be very good record keeping. None are perfect and if you get to learn where they are from - yahoo! I have been very fortunate in knowing where almost all of my Irish immigrants are from: Wynne's from Sligo; Boles from Sligo, Conlon from Sligo; Hoey's from Armagh, Clayton's from Cork then London; McCabe's and Flanagan's from Westmeath; O'Melia from Dublin or Mayo; Connolly from Armagh. Only two lines have been elusive - Kennedy and Cunningham, both of who I believe are from Dublin. Rich