My lineage comes from Thomas Dowd (Mary Conlin) whose parents were William Dowd -1800 (Margret O'Hara-1805 from Claire) who was from Mayo. William came to America before 1833. He and Margret had 4 children, Thomas, Margaret, Elizabeth and Maria. I am writing a novel based loosely on my grandmother's tragic life, Helen Dowd Gretchen (took grandparents last name when her mother died), and my sister and I are planning on coming to the '21 reunion.