I am also looking for anything on Breen. My GGgrandmother was Marie Helene Breen, m Jan 15, 1879. Her parents were Peter Breen b 1814 Wexford Ireland d Levis, QC. and Johanna McCarthy. Peter's parents were James Breen and Catherine Fitzsimmons. Any help will be appreciated. Beverly buckfam@thegrid.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry O'Brien <lpobrien@intranet.ca> To: <WEXFORD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, August 12, 1999 2:52 PM Subject: [WEXFORD] RE: WEXFORD-D Digest V99 #90 [] I am looking on information regarding links between O'Brien and Breen (souundex names) families. I am particularly interested in the families in county Wexford but a general discussion I think would also be helpful. (Also if anyone knows of a Breen web site (besides Genforum) please let me know). 1. Donough-The O'Brien History &: states that Royal lineage of French O'Briens they say the name was changed to Breen. 2. The MacBreens are said to be related to an uncle of Brian Boru (Murphy-Families in Wexford). 3. The heriage centre (Yola Park) says in the literature that the name O'Brain (later changed to Breen) comes from the Yola people (who are a mix of French, Flemis, Danish, Englis, Welsh mix who were introduced to Wexford by Longbow in 1169) Note: Brian Baru died in 1014. A lady on the web has told me that the Breen (and Bree) name is also supposed to be common in Norway. She was told by a Norwegian that the Norwegian translation is "People of the Ice". 4. Donavan the Historian says that there were O'Briens in Wexford during Strongbow's battle. (Maybe Yola park has it wrong). 5. The aggragate names are almost the same in total (181 vs. 175) and the dispersion is equally populated through each parish in County Wexford in the Householder index (1820's). This is an odd association. a) O'Brien/Brien/McBrien: O'Brien 14 Brien 167 Total= 181 b) Breen/Breene/Breeme: Breen 162 Breene 11 Breeme 2 (no O'Breene or MacBreen) Total= 175 Comments please. Larry from Canada's capital (Ottawa)