Hello Kim, It was my DNA result which enabled John Creer to confirm the American Looneys as being of Manx descent. That was in March 2015. Since then, I too have been trying to identify the actual identity of the migrants. I have identified my earliest Looney forebears as being Philip Looney (c.1597-1657) and Margaret Kneale ( -1679). If that is correct, it has not helped me! So best of luck!
Regards Bob Linden (ne Robert Looney) Yes, yet another one!