Hi Therese, In November 2001 I went to Roscommon with a first cousin. In Croghan (about 20-30 minutes from Boyle) we saw RC christening records. We went to the chruch on All Saints Day, Nov. 1st, knowing that the priest would be saying Mass, we were right. The priest (now retired0 was Fr. Roger Leonard, 83 years old. He took us down the road from the church to his house. Upon entering his dining room there was a huge binder holding computerized transcriptions of the original records. The Mormons transcribed the records in the Parish of Croghan, making it much easier to see who was listed. The records were in alphabetical order. I regret not copying all the Elwoods, but I didn't. I did see the records for my ggrandparents two oldest children, John and Catherine, christened in 1837 and 1839. There were other Elwoods there. There were also Beirne's, but I don't know the names of my ggrandmother, Mary Beirne's parents. In that part of Roscommon BEIRNE seemed to be the correct spelling of the name, however there were some Bierne, Beirn, etc. I have read that BYRNE is an altogether different line. Have you seen the O'Beirne Family Website? There is interesing information there and it pertains to the Beirne's from this part of Roscommon. I'd like to go back to Ireland this year, if I do I will try to copy all the Elwood entries. The old ancient sacramental registers were also in the rectory. We looked at them as well. Actually we were more interested in looking at my grandfather Plunkett's christening record, we saw it in the old binder as well as in the computerized transcription. Since returning from Ireland, I have learned that Fr. Leonard retired. I saw his name on the Elphine Diocesan site, he now lives in a priests retirement home in Sligo. I have corresponded via e-mail a bit with a woman from Croghan. She told me that the priest now appointed to serve the RC Parish of Croghan is living in Drumlion. There are two chruches in the parish, one in Croghan, the other in Drumlion. I would think that he would have taken the Sacramental Registers, both originals and computer transcripts with him. The priests house in Croghan was like stepping back a century or two in time, I can see why a younger priest might choose to live in the other rectory, but have not seen the one in Drumlion. My ggrandparents James and Mary (Beirne) Elwood went from Ireland to upstate New York to Iowa. Mary died first, sometime between 1900-1903. James died in 1903 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, at the home of my grandparents, his daughter Helen (Elwood) and Patrick Plunkett. He was 96 when he died. If I come across any other information I will let you know. Forgot to mention...the townland in Roscommon that the Elwoods lived in was Canbo. It could hardly even be called a crossroads now, just three houses and the ruins of Canbo Castle's tower. Elwoods still live in the area I believe. Driving from Croghan to Canbo was an experience. We drove down a virtual lane, only room for one car, bushes brushing both sides of the car at some points. Believe me I prayed that we didn't meet an oncoming vehicle, I don't know what I would have done because there were ditches on both sides of the lane!!! Thanks for getting in contact, Denise Plunkett