Family History Library, Salt Lake City Research Trip, Part 2: My Irish Research

          My recent trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah was part of my preparations for my upcoming trip to Ireland. In both Utah and Ireland I hope to learn more about my Brady, Coyle & Mullane families.

          Although the staff at the Family History Library was all polite and friendly I did not encounter anyone who could help expand my knowledge of my Irish families. I was told:

1.    “Irish research is difficult. That’s not my field.”

2.    “Catholic records are hard to find.”

3.    “Many places in Ireland won’t allow us to copy their records.”

4.    “They will help you at the National Library in Ireland.”

I was discouraged by these comments. I had hoped someone would sit with me and make suggestions to direct my search. I wanted to get the most out of my time there so I switched my goals to focus on books.

Before I had gone to Utah I had searched the website to discover their Irish resources. Since I can order microfilm and view it at my local FHL I focused on books, only available in Utah. Knowing I was centering my research on Counties Cavan & Tipperary, I listed books that would teach me more about these areas.

I looked for these books for County Cavan:

·         The Graveyards of County Cavan, a survey by Mary Sullivan 941.69 V3

·         Old Irish Graveyards: County Cavan  by Eileen Hewson 941.69 V3

·         Sources for Cavan Local History by Sara Cullen 941.69 H23

·         A Copy of the Registry of Freeholders in the County of Cavan by Ireland, Court of quarter Sessions of the Peace (Cavan) 941.69 R2

I looked for these books for County Tipperary:

·         Ireland, County Tipperary: genealogy & Family history: special extracts from the Irish archives   941.92 D27

·         Clonmel: an Architectural Guide by Elizabeth Shee and S. J. Watson   941.92 H2

·         History of Clonmel by William P. Canon Burke   941.92/C1 H2

·         My Clonmel scrap book by James White   941.92/C1 H2

·         Priest, Politics and society in post famine Ireland: a study of county Tipperary, 1850 – 1891 by James O'Shea 941.92 H2

·         History of South Tipperary by Patrick C. Power  941.92 H2

·         Tipperary County, people and places: an anthology of the evolution of County Tipperary, some historic events and the history of the principal towns in the county editor: Michael Hallinan   941.92 H2

I found a space at a large library table and wandered through the stacks. I found sections for Counties Cavan (941.69) & Tipperary (941.92). Each of these was a shelf of books about 3 feet long. I gathered books, headed to the table and started checking the indexes for my family surnames. Although I found nothing about my Brady, Coyle or Mullane ancestors I did find information on the areas they lived; what life was like when they lived there. I find that very useful when trying ot understand and in writing about their lives.

There were two books I could not find. I asked two library volunteers who could not find the books either. One told me the library did not have the books [although the books & call numbers came from their website]. The other volunteer suggested the books were being used by another patron. I decided to get to the library early the next morning before the books could be pulled off the shelves.

The flowing morning the books were not on the shelves. What should I do? I could once again approach the staff for help with my Irish research. I could ask the staff for help locating the books. I could leave.

I wandered through the stacks. That’s something I enjoy doing in libraries and often discover great pockets of useful materials. I found a section of shelves for over sized books. Within this area were shelves of Ireland books. I looked at each book there and found the books I was searching for and other relevant books. Hurray!

I also found:

·         County of Cavan, Valuation of the Several Tenements in the Union of Cavan, 1857, Dublin: Printed by Alex, Thom and Sons. 941.5 R2g V3.

·         Index to Townlands and Towns of Ireland. 941.5 X22t: 1871. [especially helpful!]

·         Clonmel 1840 – 1900: Anatomy of an Irish Town by Sean O’Donnell. 941.92/C1

As with working in a library or archive I find I need to go prepared with my family information and information about the facility I plan to visit but once there I do need to be flexible enough to adapt to the resources available to get the most out of my visit.

(part 3 in my next blog)

Family History Library, Salt Lake City Research Trip, Part 1: Preparation & Initial Discoveries

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah is a dream destination for many genealogists, including me. I have often read about the wealth of materials there. When my husband decided to ski in Utah this year I was interested. Because I do not ski I usually stay at home when he heads west to ski. Recently when he gathered his poles & skis I tagged along. When my husband, our daughter and my brother headed to the slopes each morning I climbed into our rental jeep and drove into the city.

          My plan was to discover more about my Irish roots before my upcoming trip to Ireland. Books, journals and websites suggest you find out as much as you can about your Irish family before heading to Ireland. The Family History Library, I have read, contains many sources for Irish research.

          To prepare for both my Utah and Ireland trips I reviewed my data and sources for each of the family branches I hope to learn more about: Brady, Coyle & Mullane. I prepared ‘Quick Notes’ on each of those three branches, condensed into two or three sheets of paper that I can easily carry along with me. They include basic information including sources, a time line that includes the family’s movements over the years and a list of questions I’d like answered. I also have an iPad with the ancestry app which links to the Family Tree Maker 2012 program on my home laptop. I find it much easier to travel with my lightweight iPad rather than my laptop. And, if technology should fail, I have my “Quick Notes’.

          On my first morning in Utah I was nervous as I navigated our rental vehicle from Park City, up and over the mountains, to Salt Lake City. I quickly found inexpensive parking near the library, grabbed my shoulder bag full of information and walked the wide, clean sidewalks to the library.

          I was surprised to discover at the FHL:

1.    I did not have to sign in as I entered.

2.    I did not have to put my jacket, shoulder bag or anything else in a locker.

3.    There were many more young people there than I usually see at libraries & archives.

I had printed out a copy of the library’s floor plan from the website. I knew I wanted to head down to the second basement for British/Irish research. A very friendly floor manager walked right over to me as I stepped off the elevator. He was delighted to discover it was my first day in Utah and offered to lend a hand. However, once he heard I was doing research in Ireland, beginning with my Mullane family in Clonmel, County Tipperary, his smiled dimmed. He passed me on to someone else saying, “It’s her first day In Utah. Let’s see if we can help her.”    She looked at my Mullane ‘Quick Notes’ and decided I should begin with a search for the 1866 marriage record for Daniel & Brigid (English) Mullane. While it was nice to view & copy the record it yielded no new information.

Making paper copies of films or books at the FHL:

1.         There are, on each level, vending machines that you use to purchase copy cards valued at $2, $5, $10 or $20. (8 ½ x 11 copies are 5 cents.) You need coins or bills to purchase these cards.

2.         Signs on these vending machines say credit/debit cards will soon work in these machines.

3.         Once purchased you simply swipe your card at the copier.

4.         There are several copiers on each level.

5.         Notices say you can only make 5 copies at a time if people are waiting. While I was there this was not an issue. There were enough machines to keep everyone happy.

Digital copies

          I was not aware that I could have taken along a flash drive and copies images directly onto the drive. That would save steps if you plan to scan your paper copies.

          In general I found that I was prepared for my visit to the library, although I would have taken along a flash drive if the website had given me more information on the procedures at the library.  The library was nicely organized and the staff was very friendly and ready to offer help.

          (Continued in my next blog.)