Donna, Thank you for the great background material. I, too, hail from a couple of such groups. My McKinneys arrived in the U.S. from Donegal and Derry in 1822, coming through Baltimore to settle in Braddock near other McKinneys lost in time. One of them married into the West family which had some of their maternal roots in the McComas's (Maccomas's, and many other spellings) from deep southwestern Pa. and West Virginia. The German side of my family, the Hoffmans, were also already here in western Pa. when we got here. Quite a mishmash, but quite a history as well. As for the Catholics, we came over as Presbyterians and, a couple generations ago, my line was prompted by the Wests to convert, as they had, to Catholicism -- and not without rifts. Learned about the English language problem decades ago in a linguistics class I took and it's still fascinating. These "hillbillys" spoke English closer to that which was spoken in merry ol' 18th century England than we do today. Ah, and the whiskey. The son of my fourth g-grandfather is quoted in the History of Washington County, Pa., as saying at one time in his life he "could stand on the hill where his father's arm lay and see the smoke from nineteen distilleries in active operation." And not too many "revenooers" messed with them. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I appreciated your post. It's good to be mindful of the history that goes with the names in our genealogy. Bill McKinney Erie -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Donna Nichols Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 11:56 AM To: Scotch-Irish list Subject: [?? Probable Spam] [S-I] Indentured, Scotch-Irish, Appalachia, and other stuff Facts about Appalachia...where I lived and taught for quite a while, where my husband's family came..in the 1700's and established towns, (literally), and where I have been pretty well acclimated and accepted in. The Appalachia region was settled by two major groups...