Happy St Patrick's Day! I, too, have Irish connections. My ancestors all settled in Wigtownshire (Newton Stewart) but all seem to have made their way from Ireland. Francis McKie was born in Co Monaghan, Ireland and married Mary McKie (don't know where her family originated yet!). Married in Penninghame Parish 1815. Michael and Catherine McGuigan (Catherine's maiden name was either Meiklehone or Coyle - I've found both in different records) came from Maghera District, Co Derry, Ireland. They made their home in Penninghame, Newton Stewart. Their son, Andrew (my ggg grandfather) was also born in Ireland around 1824. He married Jane (Jean) McKie. Their son, also Andrew, married Alice Rylands (born Dublin, Ireland, in 1849). Michael Doherty (Docherty/Daugherty) was born in Co Derry (or possibly Co Down, Ireland - can't quite make out which one from the census entry for 1861) married Margaret O'Neil from Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Her parents were Michael O'Neil and Kate Brodick (don't know where they're from yet!) Michael and Margaret lived for a while in Dumfries, where they married, and eventually settled in Newton Stewart. I haven't attempted to tracing my Irish ancestors yet. My next project I think!!!! Linda (Lincoln, England)