Hi folks, In John Boddie, Bennett "Historical Southern Families", Vol. XIX, "Rankin of Virginia and Tennessee" (Redwood City, Calif.: Pacific Coast Publishers, 1957- ) on Family Archive CD 7191 (and NEHGS library) reference is made to this family. P. 119: William Rankin was b. in Scotland ca 1663, son of Alexander Rankin, b. Ayrshire. Two brothers were killed during the 'religious persecution' (apparently the 1680s) but William and his father escaped to Londonderry, Ireland. Alexander Rankin signed the petition of thanks to God and William of Orange for raising the Siege of Derry in August, 1689. William married wife unknown in Scotland and had 3 sons, all b. in Derry: Adam b. 1688, John b. 1690, and Hugh b. 1692 as well as a dau Jane. The three sons migrated to America in 1720, landed in Philadelphia and settled in Chester Co, PA. Adam and his brother Hugh were killed in an accident at their mill in 1747. Adam m. in Ireland Elizabeth MAY who d. after landing in PHilly. He married Mary STEELE.He left 3 sons, probably by the first wife: James b. 1710, William b 1713, and Jeremiah. James m. and had six children (Mary, Robert, David, Ann, Elizabeth, Jane). David (James, William, Alexander) b, 1742 in CHester Co., PA, d. in Greene Co, TN ca 1802. He moved from Chester in 1784. He M. Ann Campbell and had: James, Mary, William, Robert, Ann, Elizabeth, and Jane. Etc, etc! I am not researching these people -- just wanted the info in the archives because someday someone will. And if they inherited any brains from these fellas, they'll check the archives! (Www.roots.web.com, go to Mail lists, click on interactive search, type in Scotch-Irish ). Oh, I got no further info. If it is later than St. Patricks Day, 2006, I forgot making this post ! Linda Merle ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at mail.fea.net