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March 24, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
April podcast available
The newest episode of our podcast This month at the IGSI 
is available on You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFhVZAgovds
 
On the next 'This month at the IGSI' episode…Dave interviews Lois Mackin and Tom Rice about IGSI's June 17, 2023 webinar "Challenges in Irish Family Research: Brick Wall Panel Discussion." Click on Activities at left to register and to complete your Brick Walls form to be submitted to the webinar panel.
 
These stories and previous episodes can be found on Our podcasts (tab on left).
March 23, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Last chance for geography/mapping lesson
March 25 - Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith's Valuation
& Irish Townlands to Map the Land of Your Ancestors 
                        presented by Joe Hunter
                  10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
          $15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code) 
                         $25 for non-members  
 
Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases--coupled with free software--allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight--and even stories.
 
The member Discount Code is posted on the member-only webpage (link)
March 21, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Spring Connect conference, April 22
Join us at the Spring Connect conference on April 22, organized by the Minnesota Genealogical Society. IGSI representatives will be present, with other partners and branches, during the final session.
 
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT
Minnesota Genealogy Center

$10 fee includes access to the Hoffman Library that day

Join us for the second annual Spring Connect event - your opportunity to learn question, and discover new directions in family research.

We will be on-site at the Minnesota Genealogy Center.
Registration is limited to 75 attendees. Register here
 
Schedule
9:00- 9:30     Check-In and Continental Breakfast

9:30-10:45    Spring Keynote Presentation
Fully Opening Your F.A.N. : Exploring the Real Community of Your Ancestors - Mica L. Anders (pictured at right)

10:45-11:00    BREAK
11:00-11:45    Library Overview with the MGS Library Manager, Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker

11:45-12:00    BREAK
12:15-1:00      Partners and Branches Information Fair: learn more about our affiliated organizations
 
March 19, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Annie Moore and Ellis Island
the first to cross the threshold
 
Of that isle of hope and tears
 
Was Annie Moore from Ireland
 
Who was only fifteen years
 
I love that song, don't you?
 
Last week CNN shared a fascinating story about what happened to Annie Moore after Ellis Island and credits genealogist Megan Smolenyak with some of the answers.
 
Read it here.
March 15, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
UHF Tour

Here's a great way to celebrate St Patrick's Day--Participate in one of the remaining conferences sponsored by the Ulster Historical Foundation as they tour North America.

Thursday, 16 March 2023 – Independence MO (3:00pm-7:00pm)

Location:              Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee’s Summit Rd, Independence, MO 64055

Program title:    Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors with the Ulster Historical Foundation

Host:                     Midwest Genealogy Center and the Mid-Continent Public Library

Contact:               Kayla Hopkins

Tel:                         816-252-7228

E-mail:                  khopkins@mymcpl.org

Registration:      https://www.mymcpl.org/events/84561/researching-your-irish-and-scots-irish-ancestors-ulster-historical-foundation

***

Saturday, 18 March 2023 – Madison WI (9:00am-4:00pm)

Location:              Room 126, UW-Madison Memorial Library, 728 State St, Madison, WI 53706

Program title:    Irish Genealogy Workshop

Host:                     The Wisconsin Historical Society

Tel./e-mail:         608-264-6519

Main contact:    Lori Bessler; email: Lori.Bessler@wisconsinhistory.org

Cost:                      $40 Society members and Wisconsin State Genealogical Society receive a 10% discount.

Advance registration is required.

Registration:      https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Event/EV8822

***

 Monday, 20 March 2023 - Louisville, KY (9:00am-1:00pm)

Location:              The Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40208

Program title:    Irish and Scots-Irish Family History Research Workshop

Host:                     The Filson Historical Society

Web:                     https://filsonhistorical.org/events/upcoming-events/

Tel./e-mail:         (502) 635-5083 // info@filsonhistorical.org

Cost:                      $25 for non members

Registration:      Purchase tickets for this event here

***

Tuesday, 21 March 2023 – Pittsburgh PA (10:00am-3:30pm)

Location:              Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Program title:    Irish Genealogy Workshop

Host:                     Heinz History Center and the Westmoreland County Historical Society

Tel.:                       412-454-6361 (office)

Details:                 https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/event/irish-genealogy-workshop-2023/

Contact:               To request additional accommodations or for more information, contact Sierra Green at 412-454-6361 or sgreen@heinzhistorycenter.org

Cost:                      $45 for general public; $35 for members of Heinz History Center, Westmoreland Historical Society and Guild members of Ulster Historical Foundation

Registration:      https://heinzhistorycenter.salsalabs.org/irish-genealogy-workshop-2023/index.html

***

 Wednesday, 22 March 2023 – Leesburg VA (10:0am-4:00pm)

Location:              Thomas Balch Library, 208 W Market St, Leesburg, VA 20176

Program title:    TBC

Host:                     Thomas Balch Library

Web:

https://www.leesburgva.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/34061/21?curm=3&cury=2023

Tel./e-mail:         703-737-7195, balchlib@leesburgva.gov 

PDF Booking form:

https://www.leesburgva.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/38878/638079915586830000

Cost:                      $30 for members of Friends of the Thomas Balch Library; $40 for non-members; $60 at the door

***

Thursday, 23 March 2023 – Jackson Purchase Historical Society, Mayfield KY (1pm-5:00pm)

Location:              Community Room, Graves County Public Library, 601 North Seventeenth Street, Mayfield, KY

Program title:    Irish Genealogy Workshop

Host:                     Jackson Purchase Historical Society

Contact:               Bill Mulligan, JPHS President

Tel./e-mail:         billmulligan@murray-ky.net

Cost:                      $15 for members of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society in advance; $30 for non members. Registration deadline: 10 March. We will try to accommodate late registrants but there will be an extra $10 charge for late registration.

Registration:     

https://jacksonpurchasehistory.org/2023/02/14/genealogy-workshop-set-for-march-23rd-at-the-graves-county-public-library/

A registration form can also be printed off here:

https://jacksonpurchasehistory.org/2023/02/14/genealogy-workshop-set-for-march-23rd-at-the-graves-county-public-library/genealogy_workshop/

*** 

Saturday, 25 March 2023 – Ottawa ON (9:00am-4:30pm, doors open 8.15am)

Location:              The Chamber, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr., Ottawa, Ontario

Program title:    Irish Family History Research Day

Host:                     British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO)

Web:                     https://www.bifhsgo.ca/

Tel./e-mail:         queries@bifhsgo.ca

Cost:                      $40 for non-members; $30 for BIFHSGO members

Registration:      https://www.bifhsgo.ca/irish-research-day

March 7, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
March 11 is Irish Saturday at MGC
Here's a new reason to do Irish research at the Hoffman Research  
Library located at the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights: Three patron workstations are now configured with John Grenham’s Irish Ancestors website subscription for Irish ancestral research. This will allow patrons and volunteers to search the paid site at no cost, at least until the one-year IGSI trial ends on February 5, 2024.
 
You can also access FindMyPast, Ancestry.com, Fold 3 and Newspapers.com within the library using the library's subscription. These subscriptions are available from library workstations and your own device.
 
Visit the library on Irish Saturday during its normal library business hours when IGSI volunteers can help you start your research or talk through that problem ancestor. The library is usually open 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays. 
 
Before you travel, check our website www.irishgenealogical.org  to confirm the library will be open, as it occasionally closes due to poor weather or other issues.
 
Admittance to the MGS library is FREE to IGSI members.  ($10 fee for non-members)
March 5, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Upcoming IGSI Webinars
Join IGSI for upcoming webinars in 2023!
 
March 25 - Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith's Valuation & Irish Townlands to Map the Land of Your Ancestors, presented by Joe Hunter
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members 

Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases, coupled with free software, allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight, and even stories.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7971697224023282270
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage.

     --------------------------------------------------------------

April 22 - Ancestors Who Called Canada and the USA Home
presented by Annette Burke Lyttle
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members 

Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases, coupled with free software, allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight, and even stories.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7957545410194453598
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage 

     --------------------------------------------------------------

May 13 - Finding Ancestors Under the Southern Cross
presented by Susan O'Connor
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members 

In multiple waves of migrations, thousands of emigrants came to Australia from countries in Europe, as well as North and South America. Records for these people often start in their native countries and then seem to disappear. This session will give an overview of Australian records available, both online and in repositories, to help researchers find the stories of these people. It will also show how DNA results can help you discover more about your ancestors, as well as connect to your Australian cousins.

Susan teaches and coaches genealogy and family research in addition to her client work. She has over 25 years' experience developing and teaching computer training programs. She is a certificate holder from BU's Genealogy Research Program and is a member of multiple genealogical associations.

Register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1792118620543234142
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and posted on member-only webpage.

     --------------------------------------------------------------

June 17 - Challenges in Irish Family Research: Brick Wall Panel Discussion
featuring our IGSI all-star panel of professionals: Lois Mackin, Tom Rice, and Mary Wickersham
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members 

The annual session is an IGSI member favorite. Queries can be submitted to us in advance by email and will be considered for discussion if suitable background research is provided. Brick wall challenges should closely relate to Ireland.

Registration will open about 90 days before the event. The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and posted on member-only webpage.

     --------------------------------------------------------------

 
All you need to attend the live program is an internet-connected device with audio capabilities (computer, tablet, or smartphone). Unable to attend at the scheduled time? If you register in advance, we will send you a link to the recording and handout the week following the program for on-demand viewing at your convenience.

Education Team: Trish Little-Taylor & Walt Rothwell
Irish Genealogical Society International
1385 Mendota Heights Road Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 * USA

You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org

 
 
March 2, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Irish Lives Remembered Winter 2023
Issue 58 of the free digital magazine, Irish Lives Remembered, can be read here.
 
Irish Lives Remembered is the official magazine of the Irish Family History Centre and is dedicated to helping you trace your Irish ancestors.
 
Packed with pages of Irish Genealogy resources from special feature articles, book extracts and regular columns, there's something for everyone. Whether you are a keen genealogy enthusiast, a beginner or simply interested in Irish family history, you are sure to find something of interest inside.
March 1, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Finding Jane Cronin
In the February 28 Vita Brevis blog, Michael Dwyer presents a twisting saga of name variants.
 
To read the fascinating story, click here. The first few paragraphs are copy-pasted below to give you a taste.
 

I recently solved a long-standing family mystery after discovering a new DNA match to other descendants of my mother’s Irish great-great grandparents, Dominick and Bridget (Flynn) Counihan. One of their children, with the surname “Cronan”—who I long thought to have moved to Clearwater, Nebraska—actually lived in the Boston area for forty years. Understanding how I (literally) misplaced Dominick and Bridget’s daughter, Jane, baptized on 21 July 1839 in Abbeydorney, County Kerry, and failed to connect her to husband Daniel Cronin, requires some unfolding of previous research.

The Counihans present a fascinating study of global migration from poverty-stricken County Kerry, Ireland in the 1860s. Baptismal records of their seven known children show movement among four townlands within a radius of thirty miles. On 21 March 1863, daughters Margaret and Ellen Counihan, among 600 passengers, sailed aboard the Beejapore from Cork to Keppel Bay, Queensland, a journey that took 140 days. Their passage, undoubtedly funded by the Catholic Church, was granted with the expectation that they would marry and raise Catholic children. They did indeed marry, and between them produced twenty children! Australia’s records of birth, marriage, and death document these families in extraordinary detail. Of course, Margaret and Ellen never saw their parents and siblings again. But, as revealed below, Ellen kept track of her relatives in Massachusetts.

By 1867, Dominick, Bridget, and children Bridget, Mary, Maurice, Patrick, and William Counihan all left Ireland and immigrated to East Boston. In 1877, my ancestor Mary Counihan, with a canonical dispensation, married an English Protestant widower named William H. Rhodes and had thirteen children with him, the last one born when she was 48...  (continued)

February 24, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
IGSI podcast
The newest episode of our podcast This month at the IGSI is available on You Tube:  https://youtu.be/XEnN6RpvCj4
 
To visit IGSI's YouTube channel, click on the YouTube logo - either the one below or at far bottom right on our website's Home page. 
 
On the next 'This month at the IGSI' episode…
  • IGSI shares news about our Saturday, March 25 webinar: Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith's Valuation & Irish Townlands to Map the Land of Your Ancestors, with Joe Hunter.
  • Dave Miller interviews IGSI member / Treasurer Mike Flynn about Mike's research discoveries during his 2022 trip to Ireland.  
These stories and previous episodes can be found on the YouTube IGSI channel.
February 14, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Irish records, resources and genealogy
The complete schedule for the Ulster Historical Foundation's 2023 tour was included in an earlier blog posting. However, at least one of the talks by Fintan Mullin and Gillian Flynn is free and can be attended online or in person on Monday, March 13, 2023.
 
Thanks to the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society for making this available. 
For more information and to register, click here.
 
PROGRAM SCHEDULE -- Subject to Change
 
 
10 - 11am (EDT) An introduction to the archives in Ireland and their websites
11am - 12pm A review of records for genealogical research, including church records, administrative records, vestry minute books, and communicant roll
12 - 12:45pm Break for lunch
12:45 - 1:45pm How to use printed sources for Irish family history, including street directories, newspapers, Ordnance Survey Memoirs, British Parliamentary Papers on Ireland, and the Irish Manuscripts Commission
1:45 - 2:45pm How to use landed estate records to trace families in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
2:45 - 3:45pm Sources for finding 17th-century families in Ireland, including records from the Ulster Plantation

Program Support

This program is brought to you with support from the Ulster Historical Foundation and the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme. It is also supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

NYC Cultural Affairs logo

NYC Cultural Affairs logo

NYC Cultural Affairs logo

 
 
February 11, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Upcoming IGSI Webinars
February 18 - Irish Chain Migration to North America presented by Pamela Guye Holland
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI and YGS members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Our Irish ancestors did not immigrate on a whim. They often followed in the footsteps of other family members or their neighbors and friends. Learn about the history of chain migration including well known routes from specific Irish locations to cities and regions in North America. Discover strategies for recognizing and exploring chain migration in your family. This program is presented by IGSI in partnership with the Yankee Genealogical Society (yankeegs.org). YGS does not simply focus on the New England states, but also the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
March 25 - Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith's Valuation & Irish Townlands to Map the Land of Your Ancestors presented by Joe Hunter
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases, coupled with free software, allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight, and even stories.
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
April 22 - Ancestors Who Called Canada and the USA Homepresented by Annette Burke Lyttle
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Movement from the United States to Canada was unrestricted and unrecorded until April 1908. The U.S. only began recording the entry of Canadians along its northern border in 1894. Before that, many thousands of people, including our Celtic ances-tors, lived cross-border lives without visas, work permits, passports, or immigration records. Learn how to find these elusive ancestors.
 
Registration will open about 90 days before the event.
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and posted on member-only webpage (link).
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
May 13 - Finding Ancestors Under the Southern Crosspresented by Susan O'Connor
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
In multiple waves of migrations, thousands of emigrants came to Australia from countries in Europe, as well as North and South America. Records for these people often start in their native countries and then seem to disappear. This session will give an overview of Australian records available, both online and in repositories, to help researchers find the stories of these people. It will also show how DNA results can help you discover more about your ancestors, as well as connect to your Australian cousins.
 
Susan teaches and coaches genealogy and family research in addition to her client work. She has over 25 years' experience developing and teaching computer training programs. She is a certificate holder from BU's Genealogy Research Program and is a member of multiple genealogical associations.
 
Registration will open about 90 days before the event.
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and posted on member-only webpage (link).
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
June 17 - Challenges in Irish Family Research: Brick Wall Panel Discussionpresented by our IGSI all-star panel
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
The annual session is an IGSI member favorite. Queries can be submitted to us in advance by email, and will be considered for discussion if suitable background research is provided. Brick wall challenges should closely relate to Ireland.
 
Registration will open about 90 days before the event.
The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and posted on member-only webpage (link).
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
Future webinars in 2023: (registration will open 90 days prior)
  • August 26Periodical Source Index (PERSI), the premier subject index for local history periodicals by Elizabeth Hodges
  • October 21Finding Genealogical Collections Everywhere by Lori Bessler
  • and more!
For more information and to register, please check out the IGSI Activities page
February 5, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Ulster Historical Foundation 2023 Tour
The Ulster Historical Foundation has announced its ambitious USA/Canada lecture schedule for February/March 2023. February talks are virtual; March events are tentatively in-person.
 
Following is a summary of dates/locations/times. Click here for more details and to register.
 
Saturday, 11 February 2023 – Philadelphia, PA                                        (9:00am-4:00pm EST -- Virtual)
 
Saturday, 18 February 2023 – Vancouver, BC                                           (9:30am-12:30pm PST– Virtual)
 
Thursday, 09 March 2023 – Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene, ID                          (9:00am-4:00pm)
 
Saturday, 11 March 2023 – Boston, MA                                                     (9:00am-4:30pm)
 
Sunday, 12 March 2023 – Fairfield, CT (10:00am-2:30pm)
 
Monday, 13 March 2023 – New York City (10:00am-4:00pm)
 
Tuesday, 14 March 2023 – Michigan City, IN (9:30am-4:00pm)
 
Thursday, 16 March 2023 – Independence, MO (3:00pm-7:00pm)
 
Saturday, 18 March 2023 – Madison, WI (9:00am-4:00pm)
 
Monday, 20 March 2023  -- Louisville, KY (9:00am-1:00pm)
 
Tuesday, 21 March 2023 – Pittsburgh, PA (10:00am-3:30pm)
 
Wednesday, 22 March 2023 – Leesburg, VA (10:00am-4:00pm)
 
Thursday, 23 March 2023 – Jackson Purchase Historical Society, Mayfield, KY (1:00pm-5:00pm)
 
Saturday, 25 March 2023 – Ottawa, ON (9:00am-4:30pm, doors open 8:15am)
 
January 30, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Search old blog postings
As January 2023 comes to an end, this blog includes 1854 articles, announcements, or other items of interest posted since July 2011. While IGSI blog postings aren’t indexed, there’s an easy way to find entries by subject.
 
At the top of the Blog homepage, you’ll see a box where you can search by Category or Timeframe. However the best way to query is probably by choosing one of the drop-downs--either ‘Blog Title’ or ‘Title & Text’--and entering a specific search term.
 
As an example, perhaps you read the recent posting about Jane Kennedy’s lecture at the Genealogical Society of Ireland. You could search prior blog postings by choosing ‘Title & Text’ and typing Connemara; you’ll find 12 IGSI blog entries.
 
Customize your search with a location or surname or topic about which you’re curious. Maybe you’ll find something helpful. Good luck!
January 29, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Ireland's Genealogical Gazette
It's been a while since I've checked the website of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, "Ireland's most active genealogical society." You can check out a vareity of resources and publications at the GSI website.
 
One always finds kernels of new information in their journal, Ireland's Genealogical Gazette, which you can browse by previous issue, or search Hall's Gazette Index 2006-2023 by author or article description.
 
Look what I found in the December 2022 Gazette:
 
"On Tuesday November 8th 2022, Jane Kennedy of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, delivered a very interesting talk on the ‘Connemara Irish: Despair in the Heartland of Minnesota’.
 
This is the story of twenty-four families left Connemara in the west of County Galway in 1880 to flee poverty, subsistence farming and the ravages of famine. A generation after the Great Famine, many recurring famines and near-famine conditions plagued the poorer parts of Ireland throughout the nineteenth century. So the hope of a new life in America for these Irish speaking families was a way out of this misery. But little did they know what faced them in America. They arrived with gaunt faces and few items of clothing, hoping for a much-improved life. But controversy afflicted them in Graceville, Minnesota and their misery continued until they settled in St. Paul.
 
This is an immigrant story that speaks of misguided paternalism, cultural and societal dislocation, hardship, discrimination and, yet with determination and hope, survival. Jane Kennedy lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has done extensive research on Irish famines, the Connemaras' journey to Minnesota, and a variety of topics related to Irish history. She currently teaches Business Communications in the Herberger School of Business at St. Cloud State University. Jane acquired dual citizenship (Ireland) after researching and visiting her family’s homeland in the beautiful Belmullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo. She has travelled to Ireland three times and enjoys researching Irish history, and sharing her findings."
 
An IGSI member, Jane Kennedy has made presentations about Connemara and other topics of interest  to IGSI audiences.
January 26, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
More about RootsTech 2023
As a follow-up to yesterday's posting, IGSI member Patricia Coleman will be speaking at RootsTech 2023 on March 2, 2023, at 4:30–5:30 pm, MDT.  Her session is titled "Putting All the Pieces Together: DNA and Irish Online Resources”.
 
This presentation will have three examples of using DNA matches in combination with online Irish records. The first involves utilizing a cluster of DNA matches shared with a second cousin along with church records to determine our relationship. The second example uses DNA matches and passenger lists to determine if our great-grandfather was from County Roscommon as family lore suggested. The third case involves visual phasing of my husband's and his siblings' DNA to determine the birth location of their Irish third great-grandfather.
January 24, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
RootsTech 2023

FamilySearch’s RootsTech 2023 conference classes take place March 2-4. The program, with more than 200 new on-demand class sessions and webinars, is now available here

The conference is being offered in-person (registration fee $98) and as a virtual experience (free).

You can watch presentations from prior years in the On-Demand Library and search by topic or country to see what is available. The website indicates there are more than 1500 sessions on 185 topics.

January 22, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
February 2023 podcast
The newest episode of our podcast, This month at the IGSI, is available on You Tube:
 
'This month at the IGSI' episode… we talk about the February 2023 webinar that will feature Pamela Guye Holland discussing Irish Chain Migration to North America. We thank our 2022 donors for supporting IGSI. We show some of the features of the IGSI website, including how to volunteer to help IGSI.
 
These stories and previous episodes can be found on the YouTube IGSI channel and are available for public viewing.
January 18, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
2023 webinars begin w/ Fiona Fitzsimons
The 2023 webinar season is underway this Saturday!
 
We hope you will be in the audience for this week's program by one of our favorite presenters in Ireland...
 
January 21, 2023 - Irish Church Records: Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland presented by Fiona Fitzsimons
Saturday, January 21, 2023, 10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Church records offer some of the earliest evidence we have for Irish family history. Using the records of the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, this talk explores what records were made, what survives, and where and how to access them. Irish church records are an indispensable source for social history and allow us to trace a rapidly changing Irish society.
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
February 18 - Irish Chain Migration to North America presented by Pamela Guye Holland
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI and YGS members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Our Irish ancestors did not immigrate on a whim. They often followed in the footsteps of other family members or their neighbors and friends. Learn about the history of chain migration including well known routes from specific Irish locations to cities and regions in North America. Discover strategies for recognizing and exploring chain migration in your family. This program is presented by IGSI in partnership with the Yankee Genealogical Society (yankeegs.org).
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
     --------------------------------------------------------------
 
March 25 - Using Google Earth Pro, Griffith's Valuation & Irish Townlands to Map the Land of Your Ancestors presented by Joe Hunter
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases, coupled with free software, allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight, and even stories.
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
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April 22 - Ancestors Who Called Canada and the USA Homepresented by Annette Burke Lyttle
10:30 AM - Noon CST (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $25 for non-members  
 
Researching the specific location of Irish Ancestors is challenging. The creative use of online databases, coupled with free software, allows researchers to pinpoint townlands and the locations where distant ancestors actually lived and worked. For researchers who plan on visiting Ireland, and even those who may not, the ability to see the actual location can provide important research insight, and even stories.
 
The member Discount Code will be sent via email and posted on the member-only webpage (link)
 
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Future webinars in 2023: (registration will open 90 days prior)
  • May 13Finding Ancestors Under the Southern Cross by Susan O'Connor
  • June 17Challenges in Irish Family Research, this annual favorite session will feature our distinguished panel of professionals discussing "brick wall" strategies for your most challenging research queries.
  • August 26Periodical Source Index (PERSI), the premier subject index for local history periodicals by Elizabeth Hodges
  • September 16The Irish in Britain by Chris Paton
  • October 21Finding Genealogical Collections Everywhere by Lori Bessler
  • and much more!
For more information and to register, check out the IGSI Activities page
 
All you need to attend the live program is an internet-connected device with audio capabilities (computer, iPad, smartphone, etc.)
Unable to attend at the scheduled time? If you register in advance, we will send you a link to the recording and handout the week following the program for on-demand viewing at your convenience.
 
Education Team: Trish Little-Taylor & Walt Rothwell
Irish Genealogical Society International
1385 Mendota Heights Road Suite 100
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 • USA
Visit our website at: www.irishgenealogical.org
You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
 
January 12, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Renamed "FamilySearch Library"
Here's an important announcement from FamilySearch:
 

FamilySearch announced new names for its flagship Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and all family history centers worldwide. The library will now be known as the FamilySearch Library, and all family history centers will now be FamilySearch centers. The name changes will better align local centers with FamilySearch’s expanding global brand.

FamilySearch is known worldwide for its popular free FamilySearch.org website, personal online consultations,  and state-of-the-art family research and discovery facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lesser known are its more than 5,000 local centers where visitors can receive individualized help and utilize web-enabled computers to access other premium family resources—all for free.

January 11, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
NGS Conference May 31-June 3, 2023
The National Genealogical Society’s Family History Conference this year is in Richmond, Virginia from May 31 - June 3, 2023.
 

The National Genealogical Society 2023 Family History Conference gives genealogists and family historians of all levels the insights necessary to take their research and writing to new heights and make exciting new discoveries.

Join us at the Greater Richmond Convention Center or Online at Home!

Learn the latest from the best speakers in the genealogy community. Discover what genealogy companies are bringing to market. Gain insights from genealogy societies and organizations throughout the United States. Attend your choice of more than 110 lectures and special luncheons. Have fun at the SLAM! Idea Showcase reception and Expo Hall opening. Celebrate Virginia’s deep roots with a special Friday evening event sponsored by the Virginia Genealogical Society.

January 10, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Jan 14 is Irish Saturday at MGS library
If you live in or plan travel to the Twin Cities area, you can visit the Hoffman Research Library at the
Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights during its normal library business hours.
The library houses the extensive (3,000+ item) IGSI research collection. 
 
 
Visit the library on Irish Saturday when IGSI volunteers
can help you start your research or talk through that
problem ancestor.  The library is usually open
10 AM – 4 PM on Saturdays.  Before you travel,
check our website, www.irishgenealogical.org, 
to confirm the library will be open as it occasionally
closes due to poor weather or other issues.
 
Admittance to the MGS library is FREE to IGSI
membersMasks are recommended for everyone
but optional for the fully vaccinated (consistent with
Dakota County, MN, policy).
 
January 6, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Church of Ireland Parish Registers
Ireland's Representative Church Body (RCB) Library maintains a very special list, essential for family historian's researching Church of Ireland records, and updates it annually: 
 
THE LIST of CHURCH OF IRELAND PARISH REGISTERS
A Colour-coded Resource Accounting For What Survives;Where It Is; & With Additional Information of Copies, Transcripts and Online Indexes
 
As blogger Claire Santry explains, "Now running at 100 pages, the LIst details -- parish by parish -- the surviving and lost baptism, marriage, marriage and burial registers across the island, providing the years covered by each parish's volumes, and where researchers can access any manuscripts, digitised copies or transcriptions."
 
The December 2022 version of the List now includes the holdings of 1224 parishes and can be downloaded as a PDF.
 
Read Ms. Santry's informative 6 Jan 2023 posting or link directly to the PDF list.
January 2, 2023 By: IGSI Blogger
Finding genealogy/family history books
Thousands of books have been published about genealogy and family history. Many have been digitized and are available online; others can be found on library shelves to check out; still others circulate through interlibrary loan.
 
The Ancestor Hunt blog shared a list of "16 places where you can find genealogy and family history books." To add to your research toolbox for 2023, look here for the downloadable PDF.
 
The last item is a curated list of digitized (out-of-copyright) county histories in all 50 states (wow!), put together by Empty Branches on the Family Tree. This link may be super-helpful.

December 30, 2022 By: IGSI Blogger
Star Tribune Archives -- Free Weekend

Here's a chance for those of you doing Minnesota research to dig into Twin Cities newspaper articles, for free. Email registration is required to clip and save from the archives, but no credit card is needed.

This link will take you to the names of the 11 newspapers and the years available:  https://startribune.newspapers.com/papers/#

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE ARCHIVES

FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND, Dec 30-Jan 3, 2022


The vault is open and you have access to hundreds of thousands of pages of news and stories from right here in Minnesota. Don't let this pass you by, open access only lasts through Monday.

Looking up your family history? Want to clip and save a special moment? Curious about what happened on the day you were born? Don't miss this exciting four-day opportunity to dig into 154 years of our newspaper archives for free.

Peek into the daily life from times past, from the biggest stories to the smallest moments to everything in-between. Featuring every page, every edition, since 1867, there's so much to explore — and so much to learn — and all conveniently right at your fingertips.

  • Over 4 million pages and counting
  • Search by date, headline or subject matter