March is here and my thoughts turn to my Irish roots. Do you have roots that stretch back to the Emerald Isle? Are you unsure how to start learning more about your connection? This book is a good place to begin learning more about Ireland and how to start your search.
Tracing Your Irish Family History
Published Firefly Books Ltd.
2009
Sections:
Tracing back to Ireland: first steps
Tracing back to Ireland: country by country
Tracing your roots in Ireland
Tracing ancient Irish roots
This is for people who are beginning their Irish research. It is filled with useful tips. The book itself is beautiful: well-organized, filled with photographs, charts, drawings, maps and more. It makes me want to turn the pages and release the treasures inside. I have moved past this level of Irish research but I keep this book on hand and revisit it for inspiration.
“Unless your family has never left Ireland, the very first step in researching your Irish family history is to trace back to your migrant ancestor.”
As with any genealogy research, Mr. Adolph suggests beginning with what you know. Talk to your family and gather any data, stories, photographs, certificates, etc. The author gives a list of questions to ask your family members. Hopefully you will find an Irish storyteller who is happy to share. Write it all down.
Learn about Irish history and the reasons your ancestor may have left the beautiful green island. The book includes brief looks into the history without getting too deep or complex. You can always learn more later.
Once you have a general idea of who and what you want to learn, suggestions are given on where to begin learning. Mr. Adolph details how to use and what you will find in each of these resources:
- Archives
- Civil Registration records
- Directories
- Religious records
- Newspapers
- Biographical dictionaries
- Wills
- Shipping Lists
- Local histories
Once you have an idea of who you are researching and what resources are available, it is important to narrow down you search. The book explains the divisions in Ireland: parishes, dioceses, baronies, counties and provinces. This is an important step in locating your family.
“The technique is to find out through ‘localizing’ families of the right surname were living at the time your ancestor left.”
Pick up this book and I guarantee you will learn a new road to your Irish research and it will be a road through a beautiful green counrtyside.
Do you have a favorite book about Ireland?
Share it in the comments.
At the top of this blog, click on My Library for many more books that I have found useful for genealogical & historical research.
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