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Blog Entries: 1 to 25 of 1887
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Release of 1931 Canadian Census
The following comes from Fishwrap, the official blog of Newspapers.com:
On June 1, 2023, the Canadian government will release the digitized records of the 1931 Census of Canada. This highly anticipated event will reveal a snapshot of life for more than 10 million people living in Canada then. Canadian law dictates that census records be kept private for 92 years, but following the release, nearly 235,000 images will be available to browse on the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) website. After the initial release of these digitized records, LAC will partner with Ancestry® and FamilySearch International to read the images using Ancestry’s® state-of-the-art handwriting technology and check the index for accuracy. These collaborative efforts will create an advanced searchable database of records of Canadian residents...
Read the rest of this interesting article here. |
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Memorial Day 2023
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer!
Originally called Decoration Day, Monday's holiday honors all members of the armed forces who died while serving our nation. For many families, our tradition also includes visiting the graves of deceased parents and grandparents.
Yesterday my husband Bill and I trekked to St. Mary's Cemetery in south Minneapolis. At least a decade has passed since we visited the cemetery where his paternal (Irish) grandparents are buried. We found the grass was encroaching; the gravestones were discolored and nearly unreadable. After digging around the edges of the stones, applying water & D2 Biological solution, carefully scrubbing with a nylon brush and rinsing several times, we left them in much-improved condition.
Shown below are Before and After photos of the gravestones of Catherine (Quinn) Hickey (1873-1948) and Patrick Hickey (1865-1940). The monuments probably look even better today after the moisture has dried.
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Free military records at MyHeritage
MyHeritage is commemorating Memorial Day with a special offer:
At MyHeritage, we believe it’s our duty to preserve every family story, and that responsibility takes on added significance as we pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives to safeguard our freedom. In honor of Memorial Day, we’re offering free access to all 83.1 million military records on MyHeritage, from May 25–30, 2023.
Search now for free
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June 2023 at the IGSI
In the June edition (episode 11) of the This month at the IGSI  podcast, genealogist Dave Miller interviews Lois Mackin and Tom Rice regarding the upcoming webinar called "Challenges in Irish Family Research.... A Brick Wall Panel Discussion." This discussion also features Mary Wickersham and deals with brick walls in your family research and ways to get around them.
Dave also provides the dates for the June “Irish Saturday” event and talks with a Gaelic Harpist who has been playing for many years about how he got started.
These stories and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel. A quick way to access IGSI podcasts is to click on the Our podcasts tab at left. |
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What's your Irish county?
This month IrishCentral began running a series  titled "What county are you from?"
The featured counties are appearing in alphabetical order: Armagh, Cavan, Down, Kildare, Laios, etc. with the latest (today) being County Roscommon.
"All the basic facts and interesting trivia," is how the feature is described. Entertaining tidbits including common surnames, famous people with county roots, brief history, key attractions and more. The articles probably won't help you hone in on your county of origin, but you will find them entertaining.
Learn more about the Irish counties starting here.
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Passing of long-time IGSI volunteer
We are saddened to learn Audrey Leonard passed away on May 9, 2023. Audrey was an IGSI member/volunteer and over the years served as our librarian, researcher and past president.
Visitation will be on May 16 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler and Maquire Funeral Home, 640 West Seventh Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
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Free online newspapers this weekend
Did your mom ever make the paper?
The following announcement comes from Newspapers.com by Ancestry:
Enjoy FREE ACCESS* to the largest online newspaper archive this Mother’s Day weekend!
*Free access available through the link in this post. Terms apply. Free access ends 14 May 2023.
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Ancestors Down Under
Expand your global research with this upcoming IGSI webinar!
May 13 - Finding Ancestors Under the Southern Cross
Presented by Susan O'Connor
10:30 AM - Noon CDT (UTC-6)
$15 for IGSI members; $25 for non-members
Most Irish descendants in the Americas find "DNA cousin" matches in Australia. Even if you are not aware of your own ancestral migration Down Under, this session can help you to understand the historic causes and how to pursue research.
The member Discount Code is posted on the member-only webpage; click on Activities at left, then Member Discounts).
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Sliced bread and a toy Winchester
John Grenham's blog is always a source of valuable tips for Irish researchers. John's wit and wisdom--what a treat!
To read his May 6 posting about quirks in searching IrishGenealogy's civil records, click here.
If you missed his March posting about errors in birth record transcriptions, scroll down that page and read further. |
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Free access to MyHeritage
MyHeritage invites you to celebrate the .png) upcoming Coronation of King Charles III by offering free access to all 1.1 billion U.K. historical records, from May 4–8, 2023!
Search all U.K. records for free
"There’s no time like the present to discover your British roots and explore your family’s unique place in history. MyHeritage’s historical records from the U.K. consist of 635 collections including birth, marriage, and death records, census records, baptisms, wills and probate records, military records, and more.
The collections span several centuries of history and cover England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man." |
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Happy May Day
Beltane, the Gaelic May Day festival, traditionally occurs on the 1st of May, which is about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.
According to Wikipedia, "Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire". There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth. The aos si (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane...and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them."
I recall a May Day when I was still pre-school age. My dad and I took a little basket of candies to a neighbor's house where he told me to hang it on the door, knock and then run to hide. I didn't understand why, but it stuck in my memory and returned this morning, lo these many years later.
A google query brought up this quote from the St Joseph (MI) Herald dated May 6, 1886, "little folks observed May Basket Day custom in hanging pretty baskets to door knobs." I guess we were still doing that in South Dakota 70 years later.
Flash forward to the early 2000s: I recall traveling in Europe in late April and being flummoxed on May 1 when the little German town where we'd spent the night was overwhelmed by crowds of people and a parade. They were celebrating International Workers' Day,
Do you have a May Day memory? Maybe you danced around a maypole at school?
However you do it, today is a good time to celebrate the return of spring. |
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The Septs, IGSI's quarterly journal
The April issue of The Septs arrived in our mailbox .jpg) a few days ago. This issue's theme is "Leinster Province: Researching in the 12 Irish counties of Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow; stories about finding family in Leinster locales."
I admit my household is a bit old-fashioined, e.g., we still get a printed newspaper delivered every day. Similarly, we opt for a "General" (Dual) membership so we can receive a printed copy of The Septs each quarter. I like to read it while sitting in my favorite chair, which is not the one next to my computer.
All IGSI members, regardless of their membership type, receive a digital copy of The Septs. This month the email arrived before the mailman had brought our printed (black-and-white) copy. When I clicked on the link, I was impressed to see the cover image at right, in all the glorious shades of Irish green. The colored images inside seemed to come alive, too.
What's even more surprising? IGSI's Electronic membership costs $5 less per year than the General membership. How often does one receive "more for less"? |
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April 2023 IGSI Podcast
On 'This month at the IGSI' episode…Dave discusses our May 13 webinar "Finding Ancestors Under the Southern Cross" with IGSI's Education Committee Co-Chair Trish Little Taylor. Susan O'Connor will give an overview of Australian records available, both online and in repositories, to help researchers find the stories of these people. She will also show how DNA results can help you discover more about your ancestors, as well as connect to your Australian cousins.
Dave and Trish also talk about other webinars, including the June 17 Brick Walls Panel. See the Activities section at left to register and to complete your Brick Walls form to submit to the panel.
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Extended hours at the MGS Library
Effective 1 May 2023, the Minnesota
Genealogical Society Library will be open these hours:
Monday 10-4
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10-4
Thursday 10-8
Friday Closed
Saturday 10-4
Sunday Closed
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Elusive ancestors in Canada
You can still register for this Saturday's IGSI webinar!
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
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 ancestors, lived cross-border lives without visas, work permits, passports, or immigration records. Learn how to find these elusive ancestors.
The member Discount Code is posted on the member-only webpage ( link)
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She Stoops to Conquer---this weekend!
How about taking a break from your family history research by going to see a play by Irish playwright, Oliver Goldsmith?
If you live in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, the Friday-Sunday performances are just down the road at Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 N Prior, St Paul.
"SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER" is a charming comedy that has delighted audiences for over two centuries. First performed in 1773, it concerns Kate Hardcastle, a young lady who poses as a serving girl to win the heart of a young gentleman too shy to court ladies of his own class. A number of delightful deceits and hilarious turns of plot must be played out before the mating strategies of both Kate Hardcastle and her friend Constance Neville conclude happily. Along the way, there is an abundance of merry mix-ups, racy dialogue, and sly satire of the sentimental comedies of Goldsmith’s day.
Join the players from Out of the Mist Celtic Theatre for an evening of 18th century frivolity!
Listen for the line in the play originating the phrase, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
- Performing at the Celtic Junction Arts Center, St Paul, MN;
- Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm;
- Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for students with valid ID.
- Click here for tickets or purchase at the door.
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Spring has sprung for IGSI webinars
Join IGSI for our upcoming webinars!
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 is posted on the member-only webpage (link
<https://irishgenealogical.org/cpage.php?pt=170> )
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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 member Discount Code is posted on the member-only webpage (link
<https://irishgenealogical.org/cpage.php?pt=170> ).
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June 17 - Challenges in Irish Family Research: Brick Wall Panel Discussion
featuring our IGSI all-star panel or 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 submitted to us in advance will be considered for discussion if suitable background research is provided. Brick wall challenges should closely relate to Ireland.
Submissions should be made to our "education" email address using the form available using this link:
https://irishgenealogical.org/upload/events/files/1677970330_BrickWallssubmissionfillable.pdf
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6245779530018888790
The member Discount Code is posted on the member-only webpage (link
<https://irishgenealogical.org/cpage.php?pt=170> ).
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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
Visit our website at: www.irishgenealogical.org
<http://www.irishgenealogical.org>
You can reach the IGSI Education team at Education@IrishGenealogical.org
<mailto:Education@IrishGenealogical.org?subject=from%20Ed%20Com%20member%20b
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April 8 is Irish Saturday
The Hoffman Research Library at the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights houses the extensive (3000+ item) IGSI research collection.
Visit the library on Irish Saturday--usually the second Saturday  of the 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, click on Home (tab at left) to confirm the library will be open, as it occasionally closes due to poor weather or other issues.
New! Three patron workstations in the Hoffman Research Library 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 1-year IGSI trial ends on Feb. 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.
Admittance to the MGS library is FREE to IGSI members. ($10 fee for non-members)
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Discovery in a Ledger
One of the benefits of IGSI membership is receiving the Ginealas eNewsletter six times a year. This bimonthly electronic publication delivers Society announcements and news, as well as short articles, general information and tips for researchers. It's a place for sharing new Irish genealogical discoveries and items of research interest with other IGSI members, and most articles are submitted by members.
The April-May edition arrived by email yesterday. Inside was an absorbing story written by IGSI Co-President, Donna Jones, about her great-grandfather's ledger. It's a great example of what you can learn by reading the Ginealas:
My grandmother had a metal box that was recently given to me. As I went through the box, there was a small booklet that belonged to my great-grandfather, Frank Burton. It was his farm ledger and in it was a wonderful context about his life.
The ledger entries are from August 1894 to August 1895. In August 1894, Frank Burton was living in Osnabruck Center, Canada. He was farming and selling cheese. His total sales from May through October that year were recorded as $102.96. In February 1895 he sold a cow to Robert Brown for $24.00. I wondered if this was his only cow and if he lost one source of income since there were no cheese sales in 1895.
From this ledger I gleaned that in 1894 Frank may have been constructing a house. There was an extensive list of items purchased from Albert’s Lumberyard. One entry was for $110.11 for things like 6¼ X 16 – 100ft of wood, along with entries for nails and other building material. Frank had married in 1894 so perhaps he was building their first house.
Frank’s father was James Burton; James was a school master and the town clerk. Times must have been tough in April 1895. Frank had two entries that he “paid back J Burton school money of $12 and $6.” That year included expenses paid to his extended family. I had no idea that Frank’s cousin, Arthur Burton, was a butcher.
The types of businesses that would have kept ledgers and some examples include stores, postmasters, newspapers, trades, doctors, midwives, mills, farms, and taverns. Ledgers can be found in archives, local libraries, university libraries, online and private collections. Other search terms to try are account books, day books, journals, or diaries. I hope you watched some of the wonderful streamed and recorded presentations at RootsTech 2023. Judy Russell’s presentation, "Follow the Money! Records of the Money Makers" was a surprise. It is about ledgers, diaries, etc., and she discussed methodology and where to find these fascinating records. If you have the opportunity to watch the recording, make sure to download the handout. Ledgers are an overlooked resource and the examples in Judy’s webinar are fascinating.
Thanks to Donna for sharing her experience!
Click on the Join tab (at left) to start receiving IGSI's eNewsletter (and/or downloading back issues) while gaining all the other benefits of being an IGSI member. |
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April podcast available
The newest episode of our podcast This month at the IGSI 
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).
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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)
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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
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Annie Moore and Ellis Island
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… the first to cross the threshold
Of that isle of hope and tears
Was Annie Moore from Ireland
Who was only fifteen years
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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 |
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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) |
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