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Blog Entries: 1 to 25 of 2131
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New Monaghan records at RootsIreland.ie
Brought to you by the Irish Family History Foundation:
New Monaghan Records
We are delighted to announce the addition of the following Monaghan records to our Roots Ireland database (2410 records altogether):
Marriages:
- 1845-1930 Tydavnet Ballinode CI marriages, 277 records.
- 1851-1930 Loughmourne PR marriages, 95 records.
- 1872-1923 Castleblayney WM marriages, 13 records.
- 1877-1930 Tehallan RC marriages, 221 records
- (606 Marriages)
Baptisms
- 1881-1915 Tehallen RC Baptisms, 557 records.
School Records
- 1867-1919 register girls Drummuck NS Co. Monaghan, 620 records.
- 1876-1919 register boys Stonebridge NS Co. Monaghan, 325 records.
- 1876-1929 register girls Stonebridge NS Co. Monaghan, 302 records.
- (1,247 school records)
For an up to date list of sources for Monaghan and to search these records, go to rootsireland.ie/monaghan and login or subscribe as required.
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Theme of April Septs: Ulster Province
A digital copy of The Septs for April 2025 was emailed yesterday to all members of the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI). Printed copies of this bigger-than-usual, 40-page issue will also be delivered to General IGSI members by USPS.
Each journal has a theme, and this quarter's emphasis is Ulster Province. A quick glance at the Table of Contents (shown right) confirms that 100% of the April feature articles are on theme. We understand even more Ulster articles are wait-listed for future issues.
If you're not a member but wish you could read The Septs -- it's easy! Just join IGSI! Click on the Join tab at left.
For only $35, you can become an Electronic member and automatically receive both The Septs (quarterly) and the Ginealas eNewsletter (bimonthly). Plus you'll get online access to PDF copies of The Septs (back to 1981) as well as discounts on IGSI's webinars. For $40, you can become a General member with the benefit of receiving the printed copy by mail. |
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April 12 is "Irish Saturday"
Tomorrow, April 12, is "Irish Saturday" at the Hoffman  Research Library in Mendota Heights.
If you live in or plan travel to the Twin Cities area, you can visit the library at the Minnesota Genealogy Center (MGC) during its normal library business hours for researching in person. It houses the extensive (3,000+ item) IGSI research collection.
Visit the library on Irish Saturday (the second Saturday of each month) 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 homepage to confirm the library will be open, as it occasionally closes due to poor weather or other issues.
IRISH ANCESTORS AND OTHER RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY
Three patron workstations in the Hoffman Research Library are nowconfigured with John Grenham’s IRISH ANCESTORS website subscription for Irish ancestral research.
You can also access FINDMYPAST, ANCESTRY, FOLD 3 and NEWSPAPERS.COM within the library using the library's subscription. The first three subscriptions are available from library workstations as well as your own device using the library's wi-fi.
DISCOVERY MAPS OF IRELAND: FOR SALE
We will be selling DISCOVERY MAPS OF IRELAND (Republic of Ireland) on Irish Saturdays for $5.00. Mark will have a table set up by the front desk at the Hoffman Research Center. We will not have the ability to process credit card orders and the sale will require cash (exact change is appreciated) or check. While these lovely maps may not be the latest edition, they are an amazing resource if you are looking for more details about the area where your ancestors originated. We are investigating ways to sell these via our website in the future.
ADMISSION FEE FOR NON-MEMBERS
Admittance to the Hoffman Research Library at the MGC is FREE TO IGSI MEMBERS. ($10 fee for non-members). |
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"Finding Your Roots" tonight, April 8
Don't miss seeing Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. as he goes from host to guest on the PBS show, "Finding Your Roots"!
Here's the intro from yesterday's story by The Associated Press:
"For 11 seasons, Henry Louis Gates Jr. has sat across from his guests on the popular PBS series “Finding Your Roots” and led them through secrets in their family tree. On Tuesday, it's his turn.
The Harvard scholar learns a long-buried puzzle about his great-great grandmother, Jane Gates, information which scrambles his ancestry and opens up a new branch that goes back to Ireland..."
Read the entire AP story here.
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Swapped at birth
Yet another interesting article about a surprising discovery that came from a DNA kit.
To read the story--the second of its type uncovered by the BBC--click here. |
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Free access to 1939 Register from FMP
Good news, bad news.
First, the good news: To mark the 80th anniversary of  the end of World War II in Europe (VE Day celebration photo at right), Findmypast (FMP) is offering free access to the 1939 Register through May 8. Search it here.
The 1939 Register--similar to a census and conducted by the British government on September 29, 1939--is a complete record of the pre-war civilian population in Britain. Entries include residents of each household with full name, address, date of birth, marital status, occupation, and whether the individual was a member of the armed services or reserves.
Now the bad news: Only the records of England and Wales are available online, not Northern Ireland or Scotland.
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Plan ahead for April at IGSI
A new month, a new season, time to take advantage of IGSI's offerings!
Saturday, April 12
"Irish Saturday"
Hoffman Research Library, MN Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Ste 100
Stop by the library for Irish research help (10AM-4PM).
Check MGS website on the day you plan to visit, to make sure the library is open. Short-notice closures will be highlighted on their main page.
Saturday, April 26
Mr. Blackstone's Common Law (Webinar - online via Zoom)
10:30 AM - Noon CDT
With Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL - The Legal Genealogist®
$15 for IGSI members**; $20 for non-members
William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Law of England reflect what became the legal structure of much of the English-speaking world. Its influence on legal development in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States, as well as within England itself, was far-reaching, making Mr. Blackstone's common law a reference work all historical and genealogical researchers often need to consult.
Register here.
**The Discount Code will be sent to members via email and is posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage. You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org.
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Telling Stories with DNA
CeCe Moore, well-known genetic genealogist, has helped  solve hundreds of cold cases and appeared on countless TV shows.
When FamilySearch and RootsTech organizers learned she was planning to attend the recent Salt Lake City conference in person, they arranged for her to make a presentation about her work on "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr."
To view the free recording of her March 2025 talk, "Telling Stories with DNA," click here.
Watch the April 8th episode of "Finding Your Roots" and see Dr. Gates' reaction as CeCe Moore explains her research findings about his European ancestors. |
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IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom
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Thursday, March 27
Zoom meeting
6:30 - 8:00 PM CDT (UTC-5)
Join a group of IGSI leaders to share ideas and challenges with  family history research relating to Irish ancestors. Please share your questions, celebrations, favorite strategies or resources, and dead ends. The session will start with a round-robin of introductions (as you choose), followed by a short discussion of newspaper research by co-Chair Trish, then open discussion time on Zoom.
Open to the public. No registration required. Please join in the fun and common purpose!
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Genealogy Webinar Marathon
The following announcement comes to us from MyHeritage:
The 6th Annual 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon, hosted by Legacy Family Tree Webinars and MyHeritage, is coming to a screen near you on April 3–4, 2025! The marathon kicks off on Thursday, April 3 at 5 P.M. Eastern (U.S.) and runs straight through to Friday, April 4 at 5 P.M. Eastern — that's 24 hours of nonstop learning, inspiration, and discovery.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a powerhouse lineup of genealogy experts and educators from around the globe. Whether you're looking to dive deeper into DNA, break through brick walls, use AI for research, or explore your family's origins, there's something here for every genealogist — from beginner to pro.
Every session is completely free to attend live, but spots are limited per session, so be sure to register early to save your seat! Explore the full schedule and register now at: familytreewebinars.com/24-marathon/
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DNA dilemma for 23andMe customers
If you did a DNA test with 23andMe, you've undoubtedly read about their recent financial troubles. No one knows for certain what will happen to the DNA data of its 15 million customers if the firm shuts down.
Over the weekend, the California attorney general recommended CA residents consider deleting genetic data from 23andMe and shared these steps:
1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
The attorney general’s office said customers who requested their saliva sample and DNA be stored by 23andMe can change that preference from their account settings page.
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April 2025 Podcast
In the April episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast  (episode 10 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the April webinar, featuring … Judy G. Russell. Her topic is titled “Mr. Blackstone’s Common Law.” This presentation will be held on April 26th and is a webinar-only event. Ms. Russell will explore William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Law of England and reflect on what became the legal structure of much of the English-speaking world. Its influence on legal development was far-reaching, making Mr. Blackstone's common law a reference work all historical and genealogical researchers often need to consult. This included Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the United States, as well as within England itself. The webinar will begin at 10:30 am and will last until noon Central Daylight Time. The cost of the webinar is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar here: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/igsi-webinar-common-law
Dave also discussed a newly discovered book on St. Patrick that might provide us with more information on the life of one of Ireland’s patron saints! The book was written by Heinrich Zimmer, Germany’s first professor of Celtic Studies. Zimmer’s manuscript, written in 1894, was a 575-page study of St. Patrick’s life. The book was partially damaged in a fire over a hundred years ago. The book has been archived since 1910 at Berlin-Brandenburg Academy. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with Trinity College of Dublin and the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy will fund a restoration project of this study of St. Patrick’s past. The project is expected to be completed sometime this year.
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Irish research websites get makeovers
During February, two important Irish research websites launched major refreshes.
While that's nice, the update will require users to spend time noodling to get acquainted. Many of the initial wrinkles with the launch have been fixed. However a potentially big downside to the updated site is that urls have changed. This means published links won't work. Subscription sites will undoubtedly be updating their records, but the urls in books and journals will no longer take you where you want to go.
IrishGenealogy.ie -- This site offers free access to Irish civil records and some church records. Two major positive changes: 1) the site is now more mobile friendly, and 2) the search form on the home page efficiently combines civil and church records. The query defaults to "all records" unless you choose to restrict to either civil or church.
The new look has its benefits, but bigger font and liberal spacing also mean less content fits on a page, making it slower to scroll or do screenshots. And there's the learning curve for adjusting query short cuts one may have learned over the years.
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Facts about St Patrick's Day
On March 17, everyone wants to be a little Irish. It's a day when Irishness is celebrated around the world.
Here are three things to help you channel your inner Irishman or Irishwoman (with a tip of the hat to the longer blog posting at EF Education First):
1. Once upon a time
St. Patrick is one of the most famous patron saints of Ireland: According to legend, he brought Christianity to the island, made the shamrock fashionable and freed Ireland from snakes. The holiday marks St. Patrick’s death and has been observed as a religious holiday in Ireland for over 1500 years.
2. Cheers to the official holiday!
Ireland only officially started celebrating the day in 1903. Since the Emerald Isle is mainly Catholic and St. Patrick’s Day usually falls on Lent, it used to be a quiet and religious holiday – until the 1960s, when a law allowed pubs to open on St. Paddy’s Day. (Never call it St. Patty’s Day!)
3. The patron saint formerly known as Maewyn
St. Patrick is not actually an Irishman named Patrick: Born Maewyn Succat, the Irish patron saint was actually British. According to the legend, he was sold into slavery in Ireland when he was a teenager, became religious, escaped back to England, became an ordained priest named Patrick and started converting the Irish Celtic pagans to Christianity.
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A plethora of RootsTech discounts!
A thoughtful blog reader alerted us to an error in yesterday's posting. The link to FTDNA's promotion didn't work.
Following up, we find there are many discounts being offered by RootsTech sponsors! Some offers were only valid March 6-8. For at least some of the discounts (including FamilyTreeDNA), you must have been registered for RootsTech.
Click here to see a complete listing of all the RootsTech sponsors and their various offers, deadlines, and restrictions. |
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RootsTech promo codes for FTDNA
About eight years ago, we were contacted by an  administrator of the FamilyTreeDNA Hickey Surname Project, who diplomatically advised my husband Bill that “in reviewing your STR matches, I noticed a distinct lack of Hickeys... I think it is more than possible that you descend from other than a Hickey line. Your close matches are the Gilliams..."
We've done additional testing (with no significant results), and Bill is now also part of the R1b CTS4466Plus Project at FamilyTree DNA. We've stopped short of doing the "Big Y." Bill just hasn't been THAT curious. Until now.
This week one of the administrators of the R1b CTS4466Plus Project notified us about special promotion codes related to Roots Tech. He suggested upgrading to Big Y might "help fill a void in a poorly sampled part of the tree." Of course, my hope is that it sheds light on the Hickey-Gilliam surname mystery.
I'm excited to report we're proceeding with the FTDNA Big Y-700 upgrade.
Update: Checking further, I find there are many discounts being offered by RootsTech sponsors! A full list can be found here. |
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Most common names--2024 Irish births
While not helpful for Irish family history research, the following bit of trivia may be amusing.
Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) recently released information about the most common names associated with babies born in Ireland during 2024.
Top 5 Babies' Surnames:
- Murphy
- Kelly
- Byrne
- O'Brien
- Walsh
An IrishCentral article provides meanings of the five most-frequent surnames.
Top 5 Babies' (First) Names:
Boys:
- Jack
- Noah
- Rían
- Cillian
- James
Girls:
- Sophie
- Éabha
- Grace
- Emily
- Fiadh
The CSO website includes historical data about popular Irish first names.
No surprise here: The most popular baby names in 1974 were John and Mary. |
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Rolling news for Irish family historians
Although Claire Santry ended regular postings on her IrishGenealogyNews blog last July, she provides a monthly summary of changes and updates to various Irish sources.
We still miss her more frequent messages; however you can access February 2025 and prior months of Latest Irish Genealogy News to make sure you haven't missed something important! |
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Questions to ask older relatives/friends
Don't wait until it's too late to ask your older relatives and friends about family history!
Irish Heritage News recently published an exhaustive list of questions, intended for chatting with people of Irish descent. However the guidance applies to anyone attempting to record oral heritage -- "the stories, memories, traditions and beliefs passed down through generations."
Probing questions in more than 20 categories will help you plan an interview that starts with informal, non-threatening inquiries and gradually moves to deeper discussions.
Here are a few of the topics:
- Ancestry and family origins
- Our family and the local area
- Daily life, including school and work
- Marriage and parenthood
- Technology and modern conveniences
- Health and medicine
- Religious practices
- Traditions and customs
- Fun and recreation
- Weather events
- The Famine, the troubles, and Irish independence
- Migration
- Irish identity
- Other personal memories
Read more about structuring these important conversations here. |
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Registration closing for live event
Irish Heritage Day 2025
Registration to attend our March 11  workshop at the live event in Eagan will close in the next few days.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to celebrate the St. Patrick’s observance in Minnesota with expert Irish educators… and to research in the Irish Collection in our Minnesota library. Please see link below for full details about local activities during the event week.
Registration to attend online, with access to the recordings, will continue until the morning of the event.
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Tuesday, March 11 – full-day hybrid workshop
Broadcast from Eagan, Minnesota… with access to the nearby IGSI Irish Collection that week, starting the Saturday before, March 8!
Presented by speakers from Ireland as part of the 2025 US national tour of the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast.
All registrants will have access to recordings of the lectures from March 18 until April 8.
Schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with one of the presenters at the nearby Minnesota Genealogy Center the following morning (March 12), and research the Irish Collection in the Hoffman Research Library there during that entire week! The Library will offer special volunteer support to patrons for Irish research starting 3 days before and for 2 days following the workshop. See the schedule at the link below.
Full details, registration, and hotel reservations are here.
Please join us in the Twin Cities and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
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March 2025 Podcast
In the March episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 9 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the activities at the IGSI for March, which is a huge month. We are celebrating Irish American Heritage Month. The Irish Heritage Day 2025 will be held on March 11 in conjunction with the Ulster Historical Foundation's Lecture Tour featuring Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt. This is both an in-person and online event.
A wide range of topics will make up the workshop. The live event will be held at the Lost Spur Event Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Personal consultations will be available at the Minnesota Genealogy Center the very next day, the 12th of March. Registration for the event and the consultations is required. You can find out more about all March events by clicking on the Activities tab at left.
For the podcast, Dave interviewed Jeff Pokwat, who is a harpist. Jeff talked about the Irish harp, the history behind this musical instrument and why it is so unique compared to other types of harps. Dave also talked to genealogist and author Andrew Kane who has recently published a new book called Townland Atlas of Ulster. This 523-page book helps the reader get a better understanding of land records not only in Ulster but throughout all of Ireland. Janelle Asselin also provides us with an Irish History Minute on the history of voting in Ireland.
Click here to register for Irish Heritage Day. Also learn more about the hotel with a shuttle service to our event and the Library. To find member discount codes, sign in and look here.
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New Kerry records at RootsIreland.ie
Brought to you by the Irish Family History Foundation:
We are delighted to announce the addition of 5282 Roman Catholic baptismal records from the parish of Kilcummin, Co. Kerry, dating from 1821-1900 to our database at Roots Ireland! For an up to date list of sources for Kerry and to search these records, click here.
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Celtic Connections Conference 2025
Brought to you by The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA):
Virtual
Celtic Connections Conference 2025
Finding Missing Family
Saturday, 5 April 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
6 AM Pacific, 7 AM Mountain, 8 AM Central
(US and Canada)
Discover expert strategies to reconnect with  lost family members in CCC 2025! This year's theme, Finding Missing Family, explores the tools, methodologies, and records to locate relatives separated by history, life circumstances, or other challenges.
The CCC 2025 will be a virtual, live event taking place via Zoom on 5 April 2025 from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time. The conference will include four 50-55 minute presentations followed by an approximately 30-minute live Q&A with the speaker.
The link to the syllabus will be sent with the Zoom link shortly before 5 April 2025. The syllabus is fully downloadable and printable and will be available along with the recordings until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 31 July 2025.
Conference Schedule
All times are Eastern Time Zone
9-10:30 AM: Fiona Fitzsimons
Suffer the nation: finding women and children in care in Ireland, 1840-1972.
10:30-11 AM: Break
11 AM-12:30 PM: Dr. Maurice Gleeson
Methodology for solving "unknown parentage cases" (from an Irish perspective).
12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch Break
1:30-3 PM: Dr. Penny Walters
From separation to reconnection: psychological and ethical dimensions finding missing family in Ireland's historical context.
3-3:30 PM: Break
3:30-5 PM: John Grenham
Crabwise: indirect research can get you around a dead end.
Payment Information
$60 early-bird registration available through 28 February 2025.
$75 regular registration 1 March 2025 through 2 April 2025.
Payment options: Electronically or Check.
Electronically: Click the PayPal button. To pay by debit or credit card, select "Debit or Credit Card" in the PayPal list of options. You do not need a PayPal account to pay online.
Check: Make payable to TIARA-CCC2025 and mail to 121 Boston Post Road, Suite #3, Sudbury, MA 01776. Your registration will be "pending" until the check clears (please allow two full weeks).
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Free Newspapers.com this weekend
A three-day President's Day weekend and cold, snowy weather make this a perfect time for free searches at Newspapers.com!
*Free access to Publisher Extra papers on Newspapers.com ends 17 Feb 2025 at 11:59pm MT. Registration required. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view Publisher Extra papers using a Newspapers.com Publisher Extra subscription. |
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Ancestry DNA kits 50% off
*Offers end 17 Feb 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Excludes shipping. Some DNA features require an Ancestry® subscription. |
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