Lots of people talk about Irish ancestors. Some will actually try to research them.
St. Patrick’s Day events focus many eyes on Ireland and the rich American heritage of Irish immigrants. If you want to know you more about your Irish roots, start with what you know. How far back in your family were your Irish ancestors? Does the U.S. Census confirm the information you have? Does a tombstone or death certificate reference a specific place in Ireland to start looking?
If you don’t have a particular area to search, your research can flounder. I heard a lecture once by a major Irish government genealogist who said many people fly to Ireland thinking there will be someone to help them find their roots, though they’ve conducted little research ahead of time. I would look online for Irish research books, especially those by John Grenham or Brian Mitchell, expert lecturers and authors. Mitchell’s “Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy” is one book that might be helpful. Check online or at local genealogy libraries for others. Some handy websites I checked today include: Roots Ireland (rootsireland.ie), run by the Irish Family History Foundation, with a website of 20 million names. IrishGenealogy.ie is the Republic of Ireland’s official government website. Remember, some websites charge, some are free. Check for webinars and podcasts about Irish research. Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, has separate research facilities and distinctly separate heritage. Check irish-genealogy-toolkit.com for the best places for researching Northern Ireland genealogy. DNA testing can link you with cousins you may not know, but who may know more about your Irish roots.
Ancestry.com’s DNA has changed again
Ancestry.com has announced three new innovations to its DNA site. At press time, only ThruLines is working. This is a new twist on their DNA Circles, and if you use this new feature, you can perhaps meet some new cousins with some additional information. But be aware: It also allows many people to accept their “suggested ancestor” and add to bogus information to their family trees. The other two features will be a new and improved “DNA Matches,” allowing customers to label results better, and “My Tree Tags,” allowing you to place several of the 20 pre-set designations, like “Research Priority,” “Not Verified,” or some labels you design, on DNA results.
Do you know your ancestors’ occupations?
Knowing an ancestor’s occupation may help you determine if he or she owned any property. Farmers usually owned some land, but a blacksmith might not.
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