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Blog Entries: 1 to 25 of 1292
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1659 Ireland Census
Ancestry has announced the launch of their database version of "Pender's Census":
“We’ve just added the 1659 Ireland Census, a rare window into the 17th-century.
Since many early Irish records were lost, this is one of the only surviving documents from this era.
Dive in and explore your family within the census.
You can query to see what's available, but you'll need a World Explorer subscription to look at the actual images.
For background on this record set and to read John Grenham's entertaining explanation from nearly a decade ago, click here.
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Countdown to 1926 Irish Census
Next Saturday, April 18, the Irish government will release the 1926 Irish census to the public. Who will you look for first?
In today's Letter from Ireland, Mike Collins writes about why the records are so important to family historians. The 1926 census "shows the relatives who stayed in Ireland when their brothers and sisters took the emigrant ship.
It is, in short, a snapshot of Ireland at one of the most profound turning points in its history. And just like the 1901 and 1911 censuses, it will be fully searchable online with free access."
The latest issue of The Septs includes tips to help you prepare for researching the 1926 census. If you're signed in as an IGSI member, click on The Septs (Journal) tab at left (then 'Contents' and '2026'). Rita McNabb's article is on page 38 of the April 2026 journal. |
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Ireland marriage records
Marriage records can be the key to linking generations or confirming identities.
It's often worthwhile to review what's available and take another look at a record you've already seen.
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Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge, May 1–3
Irish Language Weekend Returns to Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN — The Celtic Junction Arts Center, in partnership .png) with Gael Linn, invites learners and enthusiasts to Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge 2026, an immersive Irish language weekend taking place May 1–3, 2026, in Saint Paul. This annual gathering brings together instructors and speakers from the United States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland for a weekend of language learning, cultural exchange, and community connection. Participants of all experience levels, from absolute beginners to advanced speakers, are welcome.
- Absolute Beginners (Beginners A): Dr. Patrick O’Donnell
- Improving Beginners / Pre-Intermediate (Intermediate A): Maureen Engelhardt
- Experienced Intermediate (Intermediate B): Daniel Kubinski
- Advanced (Advanced A): Réamonn O’Ciarain
Students may self-select their level and are encouraged to move between levels if it better suits their learning goals.
Special Events Open to the Public
In addition to language instruction, the weekend includes cultural events that highlight Irish history, film, song, and storytelling:
- Learn and Sing Songs in Irish with Dáithí Sproule on May 2 at 4-5:30 pm, $15 for general public.
- Documentary Screening: Amharc Éireann: A View of Ireland on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm, $10 for general public. (This is the first screening of this collection outside of Ireland.)
- Irish Language Film: Róise & Frank on Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 pm, free to the public.
All special events are included for registered DSG attendees.
About the Organizers: Celtic Junction Arts Center is a nonprofit cultural hub dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and advancing traditional and contemporary Celtic arts through concerts, classes, and community programs.
Gael Linn is a leading Irish organization committed to promoting the Irish language and culture through education, media, and the arts. |
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Chris Paton to speak at April 18 webinar
IGSI's webinar on Saturday, April 18, will feature  Chris Paton addressing the topic “Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland."
His presentation will cover many types of historical crises including incarceration, arrests, poverty, revolutions and more, as well as research strategies and resources to understand how difficult times shaped our families.
While real hardships were endured and many overcame the difficulties, others did not. Their stories brought us to become the people we are today. Hear this talk to add context to your family history.
Chris is a Scottish-based Irish genealogist, house historian, speaker, writer, author, tutor, and APG eNews editor.
Click on the Events tab at left to learn more and to register. |
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1926 Census to be released April 18
Coming later this month is the long-awaited 1926 census!
A handy guide from AGI - Accredited Genealogists Ireland will arm you with the advance knowledge to research and understand the census. AGI - Accredited Genealogists Ireland is the official body which accredits professional genealogists across Ireland and Northern Ireland, ensuring high standards of research and expertise.
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Old newspapers tell rest of story
Y esterday’s blog posting about the Civil War reminded me of a photograph I took  several years ago.
I'd attended a Memorial Day service at the tiny cemetery where my parents are buried. The “C.S.A.” on Jacob Whitmore’s Civil War gravestone caught my attention. I was surprised to see a Confederate veteran buried near the little town of Gann Valley, South Dakota.
Today I contemplated the photo again. Ancestry and Findagrave confirmed basic facts, i.e., his 1837 birth and 1909 death. My curiosity was piqued by the U.S. Military Headstone application submitted by the local American Legion Post.
In 1940? For a Confederate soldier?
Here’s how ChatGPT explained the situation:
In 1906, Congress authorized the War Department to provide headstones for Confederate soldiers buried in federal cemeteries. Then in 1929, the policy expanded further: The government could furnish headstones for Confederate veterans buried in private cemeteries, not just national ones.
Interested in Jacob's story, I dug further. The community was fortunate in its early days to have a bustling newspaper, The Dakota Chief. Twenty years of issues (1893-1913) are digitized on Newspapers.com. Here’s a portion of the lengthy obituary published April 22, 1909:
OBITUARY
Jacob H. Whitmore was born in Augusta county, Virginia, October 21st, 1837, and died April 15th, 1909, of grip and paralysis.
Mr. Whitmore lived in Virginia until 1868 when he removed to Logan county, Ohio, where he resided until 1900 when he moved to a farm six miles northwest of Gann Valley where he has since resided….
During the Civil War, Mr. Whitmore lived in the storm center and was forced into the Confederate army. At the first opportunity he left that service and on Feb. 5th 1864 at New Creek, W. Va., took the oath of allegiance to the United States...
What gems one can find in old newspapers! The July 2026 theme of The Septs, IGSI’s journal, is “Using Historical Newspapers.” If you have a story to share, contact the managing editors at SeptsMnged@IrishGenealogical.org well before the May 15 deadline for submission.
In the meantime, the April 2026 issue of The Septs--with its “Irish Tapestry” theme--will be out in the next week or so.
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Andersonville Irish project
Earlier this month, Damian Shiels announced a major update of the Andersonville Irish database.
"The interactive database, which now contains more than 1,060 individuals, has been updated to facilitate exploration of the men across a wide variety of fields." Read more here.
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Celtic Camp
From a reader in the Fargo-Moorhead area:
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Revolutionary War pensions & bounty land
This is a follow-up to the March 11 blog posting about Revolutionary War pensions on Fold3.
FamilySearch also offers full text search for these pensions. It’s super-easy and free:
- Sign in at FamilySearch.org
- Click on Search > Full Text
- Scroll down to “Search for a specific collection”
- In the Collection Title field, type “rev”
5. Proceed with your query as you do for other FamilySearch full-text research. |
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April 2026 Podcast
In the April episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast  (episode 10 of season 4), genealogist Dave Miller talks about all the IGSI events scheduled for the month.
Dave interviewed the editor of the IGSI newsletter, Pat Sheehan. Pat discusses what you can find bi-monthly in the Ginealas. Pat also mentions you don’t have to be a professional writer or editor to volunteer with Ginealas. If you have an interesting story, Pat encourages you to submit an article on your findings, or perhaps you would like to volunteer and help with the newsletter.
Irish Saturday during the month of April will be held on April 11th at the Hoffman Research library, which is located at the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. If you’re in the area and have a genealogy question regarding your Irish research, stop by.
The April webinar will be with Chris Paton. His program is titled Researching Ancestral Crisis in Ireland. This program is online and scheduled for Saturday April 18; it will run from 10:30AM until Noon Central Daylight Time (CDT). The fee to watch this webinar is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Our Social Gaggle for this month will be on April 20th. Drop in on Zoom between 6:30 – 8:00pm CDT. It is open to all and there is no registration.
The links for both the April webinar and the Social Gaggle can be found on the Events tab (at left).
(opens in a new browser window)
These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the
IGSI YouTube channel. Recent episodes are available on IGSI's Podcast page:
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Last call for DNA webinar
This Saturday, 21 Mar 2026 – virtual webinar on Zoom
DNA Resources for Irish Family History Research
Presented by professional genealogist Claire Bradley in Dublin 
10:30 – noon CDT (UTC-6)
$15 for members with code; $20 non-members
Claire will discuss the three types of DNA testing and focus on how the ethnicity results and matches can help to extend the source record findings in family research in Ireland.
Audience level: novice & intermediate
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Monday, March 23 – virtual gathering on Zoom 
IGSI Social Gaggle - Free and open to all
Drop in on our Zoom gathering between 6:30 – 8 pm CDT (UTC-6)
Hosted by IGSI member volunteers. Trish will give a short demo of Find-a-Grave, followed by a discussion of the DNA Resources webinar, family research questions, or just share stories. It's lively and fun! Click on Events at left for Zoom login details.
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Happy St Patrick's Day!
What's the tradition for March 17 at your house?
Corned beef and cabbage?
Beef stew?
Shepherd's pie?
Irish soda bread?
Several recipes for St Patrick's Day can be found here: |
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The Crunch before St Patrick's Day
Only a few days remain before St Patrick’s Day--when everyone wants to discover their Irishness!
Here are some ways to spend part of the weekend exploring your Irish ancestry:
- Today is Irish Saturday at the Hoffman Research Library, located at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Rd near the MSP airport. Stop by between 10am and 4 pm to receive help with your Irish research or visit with IGSI volunteers. Directions are available at this link.
- Can’t make it to the library? Read “Three expert tips for finding out more about your Irish genealogy”
- Stuck by a brick wall? Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI), an organization of professional genealogists in Ireland, has published a new resource on Ireland's Census returns in the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI). Check out their explanations and research guidance here.
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Fold3 offers full-text search
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Revolutionary War pension files are more than just aging papers; they are a goldmine of firsthand accounts from the Patriots who birthed a nation. Fold3 is proud to announce that we have used cutting-edge handwriting recognition technology to transform these quill-and-ink documents into 100% searchable records! Whether you are looking for a specific ancestor, doing a deep dive on a particular battle, or any other focus of military history, every word is now available at your fingertips.
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Nearly 11 million Revolutionary War pension and bounty-land warrant application files are searchable! A high percentage of Washington's army was either Irish-born or of Irish descent.
Note: Many local libraries have Fold3 subscriptions which allow remote access to cardholders. Log in to your library's website and see what's available. |
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Researching Emigrant Ancestors
St Patrick’s Day specials have begun! The following comes from the Irish Family History Foundation:
Researching Your Emigrant Ancestors in Irish Records
Free Online Workshop
Friday 13 March, 16:00-17:00 (GMT)
10:00am (CDT)
Over the centuries, millions of people have left  Ireland for a new life in another part of the world. With a particular focus on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this illustrated presentation explores how we can find out more about our emigrant ancestors from Irish records. The talk will highlight the potential value of church records, census returns, landed estate papers, testamentary papers, workhouse records, gravestone inscriptions, newspapers and Valuation records, to name a few, in helping us to understand when, where, why and how our ancestors left these shores.
Presented by Dr William Roulston, Research Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation, this lecture is free to attend but registration is advised to secure your place.
Click here for more information
The talk will be also be recorded for those of you unable to join live. |
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Find your cousins at RootsTech
A popular feature returning in 2026 is "Relatives at RootsTech." What it does:
- Compares your tree in FamilySearch to others attending the conference
- Shows how you’re related to other participants and lets you message them
- Works globally for online attendees
- Relatives can be sorted by where they're located and what ancestor you share
Direct chat with relatives generally shuts down when the conference ends, but the relationship lists and connection paths remain visible until April 30.
Many experienced users recommend saving screenshots or notes of interesting cousin connections before April 30. Once the feature closes, it may be difficult to re-locate those living matches.
Personal note: On Thursday I had 1708 relatives at the conference. This morning the number has grown to 1883 so people continue to register and sign up for this feature. Yesterday I blogged about my husband's paternal Irish line; he has only TWO relatives at RootsTech, both from the Rowan family line.
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The 1766 Religious Census at VRTI
Significant news from the National Archives of Ireland:
Did you know that long before the official census series began in 1813, a massive effort was made to map the people of Ireland?
Authorised by the Irish House of Lords in March 1766, this "census" tasked clergy with listing every family in their parish, distinguishing between Protestant and Roman Catholic households. While many original records were tragically lost in the 1922 Four Courts fire, the surviving fragments remain one of our most precious windows into 18th-century Ireland.
Why does it matter today?
 Genealogy: For those tracing Irish roots, these are some of the earliest records of specific householders and names.Cultural Insight: It offers a rare snapshot of Irish demographics and religious distribution during the Penal Laws era.
Resilience: Thanks to modern conservation and the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, these surviving 59 items from eight counties are now digitized and accessible to everyone.
MY EXAMPLE:
When I queried "Hickey," I got 61 results! 
I immediately saw other familiar, related surnames and/or recognized townlands. (My husband Bill's great-grandfather, Patrick Hickey, was born in Cahernahallia, County Tipperary, in 1819.)
I asked ChatGPT to analyze the locations of only three results relative to Cahernahallia. In just a few minutes, the leads were clearly mapped within a 5-mile radius.*
A game changer. This rabbit hole wasn't on my to-do list for today!
*While I think the ChatGPT map is wrong about the exact Limerick/Tipperary border, that's a minor fix.
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RootsTech 2026: Scribe AI
Big announcements regularly occur during RootsTech. MyHeritage has launched "Scribe AI":
RootsTech is finally here, and we're kicking it off with our first big announcement! I’m excited to introduce Scribe AI, a powerful new feature from MyHeritage that uses AI technology to transcribe, translate, and interpret historical documents and photos — helping people better understand and preserve their family history.
Old family letters, records, and photos often contain valuable information, but handwriting can be difficult to decipher, languages may be unfamiliar, and images may lack context. Scribe AI overcomes these challenges by revealing important insights, providing historical background, and suggesting next steps for further research.
Caution is advised! This feature is highly addictive and genealogists we’ve given early access to this feature have become hooked! It would be fair to say that Scribe AI is one of the most important genealogical features we’ve added to MyHeritage in the past few years.
Anyone can use Scribe AI for free on a limited number of images at myheritage.com/scribe-ai, with extended use available to subscribers.
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RootsTech starts today, March 4
It's almost here! RootsTech 2026 keynote sessions begin today.
You can attend the entire conference online for free!
The remainder of RootsTech 2026 sessions are scheduled March 5-7.
- 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages
- Join keynote sessions live from the comfort of your own home
- Chat online with other attendees worldwide
MORE INFO about the conference HERE
Click HERE to watch a delightful Virtual Keynote program by world-renowned Irish dancers, the Gardiner Brothers, as they return to Ireland to explore family roots, uncover heritage, and reflect on identity, legacy, and ancestral stories.
Patricia "Patsy" Coleman, IGSI member and Septs volunteer, will be a RootsTech presenter on Saturday, March 7, with her "DNA Case Study: Finding an 1877 Birth Father with Genetic Affairs, Banyan DNA, and No Birth Record." Unfortunately her presentation is an in-person event only and will not be broadcast or recorded.
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Cyndi's List is 30 years old!
Congratulations to Cyndi Ingle, founder of Cyndi's List, on her 30 years of service to family historians! She posted the message below on Facebook:
In a couple of days Cyndi's List turns 30 years old. And to my surprise my friends and colleagues have been scheming to write about CL and the anniversary and post them in the Genealogy Squad. I was so pleased and maybe I cried a bit too. I'm so grateful for everyone who has been supportive of my work all these years. So, I will share those posts here.
From Cari Taplin:
"This is the start of a series that a few of us have put together to celebrate 30 (THIRTY!!) years of Cyndi’s List. We are calling it #30PearlsOfCyndisList .
If you are a member of this page, you probably know Cyndi Ingle as one of the admins for this group. She is the brains behind the website "Cyndi’s List” that started back in 1996. She had been collecting links to genealogically-relevant websites, message boards, and the like, and made a list, on paper, that eventually became Cyndi’s List, on the web. Genealogists have benefited from her FREE service to catalog and organize the genealogical community ever since. Today, Cyndi’s List has over 310,000 links in 232 categories!
If you haven’t visited her site yet, go do it! And stay tuned for some fun stories and tidbits throughout the month. Congratulations, Cyndi, on 30 years! Amazing!
https://www.cyndislist.com"
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Using RootsIreland.ie (free webinar)
Saturday, March 7
Using the RootsIreland.ie Website for Your Research
A virtual presentation on Zoom
1:30 PM - 3:00 CST (UTC-6)
Presented by Brendan Scott from Ireland
Free and open to the public for Irish-American Heritage Month!
RootsIreland is an online genealogy database run by the Irish Family History Foundation (IFHF). The site contains vital records as well as other fascinating documents like ship passenger lists and Irish gravestone inscriptions. You can purchase access by the day, month, 6-month, or annual subscription. It also offers free resources and contacts by county across the Irish Isle.
This event is free and open to all, but registration is required!
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Rolling genealogy news from February
Happy March! February flew by quickly!
While at her website, check out Claire Santry's A-Z guide to Irish Family History records, information and advice. |
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Pesky early Irish death records
Circling back to our 9 Feb 2026 posting about the annual update of Irish birth/marriage/death records, I discovered blogger Claire Bradley's clarification regarding early death records at Irishgenealogy.ie.
Read her comprehensive explanation here.
Coincidentally, Claire will lead a discussion at IGSI's March 21 webinar about DNA Resources for Irish Family History Research. Details can be viewed by clicking Events tab at left. |
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Intro to Irish Genealogy
New to genealogy but have Irish ancestry you want to explore?
Our friends over at the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana are hosting Elizabeth Hodges as she presents “Tracing Your Irish Roots: Intro to Irish Genealogy” on March 11 at 6pm Central Time. This would be a great way to get started with your journey!
Free virtual presentation -- pre-register here.
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