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Blog Entries: 1 to 25 of 2075
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America's largest ethnic group?
What's the largest ethnic group in America?
A columnist in the Washington Post took on the challenge of answering that question in his "Department of Data" column last week. Want to take a guess? Irish? German? English? Other?
Read Andrew Van Dam's conclusion here. |
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Artificial Intelligence
We welcome guest bloggers, like IGSI Co-President Donna Jones who shared the following information on the hot topic of Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an amazing tool for genealogists. It can be used for research, including transcription and translation of handwritten documents and records. Our January webinar features Mark Thompson who will discuss AI and how to use some of the most powerful AI tools available for genealogy today. Mark and Steve Little have a very interesting Family History AI Show podcast. Mark is a terrific speaker, and we hope you will join us for the January 4, 2025 presentation.
Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has made a useful AI compendium. The page includes 12 different categories of information. The first item lists the current AI tools with information if they offer free access and those that have enhanced tools with a subscription.
An interesting section provides links to prompts that experts have shared. An AI prompt is a command or question that you give an AI tool to produce a response.
Randy indicates he will collect information as AI technology continues to develop. This might be a page to bookmark.
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Save The Date: March 11 UHF lecture tour
Mark your calendars now!
Tuesday, March 11, 2025,
a full-day workshop from 8:15 am - 3:30 pm,
Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors
with the Ulster Historical Foundation (UHF) during a live audience in Minnesota
The workshop, which will be livestreamed (not recorded), will cover a wide range of topics to provide ideas for all Irish family history researchers. The live event will be held at the Lost Spur Golf and Event Center in Eagan, MN, very near the MSP International Airport and Mall of America.
The program will be part of the 2025 USA Lecture Tour by UHF, which is based in the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Presenters Fintan Mullen and Gillian Hunt are experts in ancestral research.
The following morning, Wednesday, March 12, you will have the option of scheduling a 1-on-1 consultation with a presenter for expert advice on your personal Irish ancestral research. These sessions will be held nearby at the Minnesota Genealogy Center with IGSI volunteers helping you use the Irish collection in the Hoffman Research Library. The Library will also be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday that week, if you wish to extend your stay.
Fintan Mullan is Executive Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation and has been responsible for the management of this successful Belfast-based, educational non-profit since 2001. He has extensive experience in Irish family history research and is a regular international speaker on Irish genealogy, having spoken in Ireland, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and most of the lower 48 states of the USA. He has managed the production of over 150 Irish history and genealogy titles, including the perennial favourite, Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors. Fintan has ensured the Foundation has been at the forefront of developments in Irish genealogy, including heritage tourism products and the provision of online resources. He helped to pioneer www.rootsireland.ie, the unique database with over 22 million Irish historical records. He is a non-executive director of Irish Family History Foundation and board member of the National Collection of Northern Ireland Publications.
Gillian Hunt is Research Officer with the Ulster Historical Foundation and is responsible for the management of the Foundation's many genealogical activities. As well as managing the genealogy side of the Foundation's work, Gillian carries out research for clients and is a hugely experienced user of the General Register Office and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. She regularly teaches courses in Northern Ireland and gives talks on family history in the rest of Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Gillian has been co-presenting our annual North American lecture tours since 2013 and has been with the Ulster Historical Foundation since 2001.
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Ancestry Legacy Contact
To ensure your Ancestry family tree(s) and DNA results are preserved and accessible, even after your death, you can name a "legacy contact" to inherit your account.
While you can only add one person as your legacy contact, that person can be a legacy contact for more than one Ancestry account. The person you choose is not required to have an Ancestry account. Adding a legacy contact is free for all Ancestry members.
Read more about this important news here. (Note: you must be signed in to Ancestry.com for this link to work). |
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Free Dec 7 webinar
IGSI's annual holiday gift is a December webinar that is free for all to see. This  year we have a very special offering!
Dr Thomas Finan is a professor of medieval history and archaeology at Saint Louis University and the director of the Lough Key archaeological project in Ireland for over 20 years. This "dig" in County Roscommon on Castle Island examines the site of a medieval castle (of the MacDermot lords of Moylurg), unearthing mysteries of 13th century rural Ireland.
So, brew your cup of tea, warm up a scone from the local bakery, and check out this free webinar. While this event is free and open to all, you must register for the event to receive the Zoom login details. Click on the Activities tab at left.
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30% off Heritage Books
'Tis the season! One can depend on Black Friday specials  including reduced prices on DNA test kits and subscriptions -- definitely a good time to shop for the genealogists on your holiday gift list (or for yourself)! Here's another discount to consider.
Heritage Books Inc. is offering 30% off from November 26 until December 4, 2024. With over 10,000 titles, you're likely to find something of interest. The discount applies to all titles on their website.
Heritage Books Inc. sells the complete catalogs of GPC, Clearfield, Southern Historical Press, Iberian, Closson Press, Genealogy Books in Print, Brent Holcomb, John Brayton, John Humphry, Alan Fitzpatrick, Christine Rose, National Genealogical Society, Virginia Genealogical Society, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, and more. Recently they began publishing Mountain Press and Boyd Publishing titles.
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Weather closure alerts
Here's a timely announcement from the Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS) about winter visits to the Hoffman Research Library:
It's true. Winter *is* coming.
It's easier than ever to find weather closure alerts on the MGS website. To see if there's an active alert, visit the website and click one of the following links:
- Home page: Right side column > Weather closures
- All pages: Bottom of the page > Weather closures
- All pages: Library > Welcome to Hoffman Research Library
No alert at the top of the resulting page? Good news; normal operating hours are in effect.
To view the MGS website, click here.
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Church of Ireland records
Where and how does one research Church of Ireland records?
John Grenham pulls back the curtain in his thorough and entertaining explanation of pre-1870 Church of Ireland registers.
Read about this "gnarly" subject in his recent blog posting. |
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December podcast
In the December edition of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast  (episode 6 of season 3) and the last episode of the year, genealogist Dave Miller talks about the December webinar, featuring ...Dr. Thomas Finan: The Medieval Origins of Irish Genealogy. An Archeologist’s perspective. This presentation will be held on December 7th. This is a webinar only event and is free to the public. Dr. Finan who is a descendant of Roscommon will explore how the medieval Irish established the ancestry and heraldry that we pursue today. Many source records remain accessible today including documents, maps and landscape information. Dr. Finan will discuss a dig in Roscommon on Castle Island where they unearthed the mysteries from 13th Century Ireland. Dr. Finan is a professor of medieval history and archeology at St. Louis University. You can register for the webinar by clicking the Activities tab at left.
We will also be featuring our end of the year segment and show all the various segments that aired this past year. We featured Irish musician Jim Sharkey who we interviewed earlier this year.
The podcast also features the latest Irish History Minute. In this segment, Janelle discusses the Irish Calendar and the history of the calendars through the past century and the various dates throughout the year that are marked on the calendar and celebrated by the Irish. These stories and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel and by clicking the Our podcasts tab at left.
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New library hours in 2025
The Minnesota Genealogy Center and Hoffman Research Library have announced new hours beginning in January 2025:
Monday, 10 am to 6 pm (currently 4 pm)
Wednesday, 10 am to 4 pm (no change)
Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm (currently 8 pm)
Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (no change)
With the arrival of winter, be sure to check mngs.org to confirm hours due to weather closings.
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Donate to IGSI
As we head into the end of 2024, the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI) needs your assistance to continue our important mission by reaching our fundraising goal of $10,000.
Every donation, regardless of size, helps us reach our goals and enhance what IGSI can offer.
Your support will go towards exciting new and ongoing initiatives in the following areas:
Educational webinars, classes, and hybrid events featuring renowned Irish genealogy, history, and culture experts
- Upgraded website with a responsive, mobile-friendly design
- Publications such as our award-winning research journal The Septs and eNewsletter Ginealas
- Maintaining and growing our library research collection at the Minnesota Genealogy Center’s Hoffman Research Library, which is already one of the largest Irish genealogical collections in the United States
- Expanded access for members to research materials both in person and online
- Connecting the Irish diaspora with their culture and heritage through social and cultural events like the Minnesota Irish Fair
- Growing IGSI membership and volunteers to increase bandwidth for additional programs and initiatives, through outreach on social media, advertising, our blog, and our YouTube channel.
Members know that we offer a range of services tied to Irish genealogy, culture, history, and heritage. But did you know that we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so when you donate to support these services, that donation is tax deductible?
To donate now or at any time please visit the Donate page on our website -www.IrishGenealogical.org/ You can donate via credit card, debit card, PayPal, or if you would prefer to send a check for your contribution, please send it to:
IGSI
1385 Mendota Heights Rd., Ste 100
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
For those of you eligible to make Qualified Charitable Distributions ("QCDs"), we hope you consider making a gift to IGSI via that option.
If you're a Minnesota resident, you may be familiar with Give to the Max. Early Giving began November 1 and runs through Thursday, November 21. To donate through GTM, click here.
Thank you for supporting the Irish Genealogical Society International. If you have already made a generous donation to IGSI or supported us in other ways this past year, we are so very grateful. |
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IGSI Social Gaggle on Zoom
 Thursday, November 14
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm CST
Zoom meeting
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 demonstration or the IGSI website by our Web Editor and tech guru Mary Wickersham, then open discussion time on Zoom.
Open to the public. No registration required.
Meeting ID: 840 2700 5364
Passcode: 185342
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Rippling Effects of the Great Famine
FREE online lectures series commencing Thursday, 30 Jan 2025, for 5 weeks
Hosted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
30th January @ 7pm (GMT)
“Children in Irish workhouses during and after the Great Famine”
Dr Simon Gallaher
6th February @ 7pm (GMT)
“Of Monsters and ogres: Evicting the poor during Ireland’s Great Famine”
Dr Ciarán Reilly – Maynooth University.
13th February @ 7pm (GMT)
“Popular piety in Ireland the pre-Famine and post-Famine periods”
Prof. Salvador Ryan – St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth.
“Rippling Effects of The Great Irish Famine: Separated from family by crime and transportation”
Dr Perry McIntyre AM – Visiting Fellow at the State Library of New South Wales, Australia.
20th February @ 7pm (GMT)
“The Great Famine on the Powerscourt Estate (Benburb district) & along the Blackwater, 1845-52”
Dr Dónal McAnallen – National Museums Northern Ireland
27th February @ 7pm (GMT)
“Mothering and infant feeding in the workhouse during the Great Irish Famine”
Judy Bolger – Trinity College Dublin
Each lecture will be recorded to accommodate those unable to attend live.
Pre-registration essential. More information here. |
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17 interesting facts about Dublin
1. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is known for its rich  literary heritage, being the birthplace of writers like James Joyce and Samuel Beckett.
2. The city is home to Trinity College, which houses the famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from the 9th century.
3. Dublin's Guinness Storehouse is a popular tourist attraction, offering insights into the history of Ireland's iconic beer.
4. The city hosts the annual Bloomsday celebration, commemorating the events in James Joyce's novel "Ulysses."
5. Dublin's Temple Bar district is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous pubs, restaurants, and cultural venues.
6. The city is known for its historic architecture, including Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
7. Dublin is home to Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe.
8. The city's Ha'penny Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey, is an iconic landmark.
9. Dublin hosts the annual St. Patrick's Festival, a multi-day celebration of Irish culture and heritage.
10. The city is known for its traditional Irish music scene, with live performances in many pubs and venues.
11. Dublin's Grafton Street is a popular shopping destination, known for its street performers and upscale stores.
12. The city is home to the Dublin Writers Museum, dedicated to the lives and works of Ireland's literary figures.
13. Dublin has a strong sports culture, with Gaelic games, rugby, and soccer being particularly popular.
14. The city is known for its educational institutions, including University College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology.
15. Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to the 11th century.
16. The city's National Museum of Ireland offers extensive exhibits on Irish history, archaeology, and culture.
17. Dublin is a UNESCO City of Literature, recognized for its literary history and vibrant contemporary writing scene.
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Findmypast free access for Veterans Day
Veterans Day is next Monday, November 11. 
To facilitate research on this important day, Findmypast is offering free access to all records on their website from November 7 through Monday, November 11 at 11:59 PM (5:59 PM Central time).
Anyone can explore the billions of Findmypast records, including:
- the exclusive 1921 Census;
- historical newspapers, where you may find details of your ancestors’ military service and wartime experiences;
- all Findmypast’s tools and features to aid your research and grow your tree.
Remember to pause on 11/11 at 11 AM to honor and thank all those who’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
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Getting ready for the holidays
Upcoming holiday family gatherings bring an all-too-rare chance for capturing memories with multiple generations of relatives. Plan ahead to make the most of these opportunities.
1) The first piece of advice comes from FamilySearch.org: Ask the Right Questions
Getting family members to share stories is easy if you ask the right questions. Simple, open-ended questions that evoke memories can work wonders to loosen the memory. Start with easier questions, and work toward the deeper end of the pool. You could begin by asking about a favorite family tradition, their first memory of Christmas, or maybe even their favorite Thanksgiving dish.
2) Another tip: Start the conversation with an intriguing story or fact
That's a great idea, but what if you don't have one? This Saturday, November 9, is Irish Saturday at the Minnesota Genealogy Center -- a good time to get help finding a newspaper story or a photo of the ship that brought your ancestors to America, or finally tracking down that illusive person in your family tree. Who knows what you might discover?
- Volunteers will be available to help you with your family history research from 10AM - 4 PM.
- Three patron workstations in the Hoffman Research Library are now configured with free access to John Grenham’s Irish Ancestors website.
- You can also access FindMyPast, Ancestry.com, Fold 3 and Newspapers.com within the library using the library's subscription. All four resources are available from either library workstations or your own device.
- IGSI will be selling Discovery Maps of Ireland (Republic of Ireland) for $5.00. Nothing better than a show-and-tell map!
Weather report looks good for Saturday. Make the trip to Mendota Heights before the snow flies!
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Crowd-sourcing for genealogy
Have you ever made a family history discovery after posing a question to a group?
Maybe you received a response after posting a surname or place name on a message board or online forum? Did you find success through Facebook or other social media? Have you made a connection through IGSI's Surname Interests tab? Did you learn valuable facts after asking for assistance on a website like Reddit or Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness? Did you discover a relative when you made an announcement at a genealogy or historical society conference -- or in an Irish pub?
These are just a few illustrations of crowd-sourcing for genealogy, which will be the theme of the January 2025 issue of The Septs. Won't it be fun to see modern examples of writing a message in a bottle and throwing it out to sea?
We'd love to hear from blog readers about their experiences with genealogical collaboration:
- Your don't have to be a professional writer, and your story doesn't have to be a long, stand-alone article.
- Just write a few sentences about what you did and the happy result. Our kind, competent Septs editors will propose edits to put the collected stories together--and make you proud to see your example in print!
- You don't even have to be an IGSI member. All contributors will receive a pdf copy of the final published article including their story.
Contact the Septs staff by emailing SeptsMnged@IrishGenealogical.org before November 15. Tell us a little bit about your experience. The editors will be happy to answer your questions and provide tips about how to proceed.
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Unlock your Irish ancestry with UHF
Here are two opportunities for furthering your Irish research:
1) Register for an Online Irish Genealogy Course
Take time this winter to further explore your family history, gain a better understanding of the archives and genealogical sources in Ireland, and find your elusive Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors. Running from November 17, 2024 to January 31, 2025, the Ulster Historical Foundation (UHF) will offer an Online Irish Genealogy Course to provide you with the tools needed to explore your Irish family history.
Don't miss out! Register today and break down your genealogical brick walls!
Click here for more information
2) Save the date for the UHF lecture tour, coming to Minnesota
On March 11-12, 2025, IGSI will host a major event in the metro Mpls-St Paul area, part of the Ulster Historical Foundation's lecture tour in the U.S.
A full-day workshop on Irish ancestral research will be offered with a live audience on Tuesday, March 11. Virtual attendance will also be possible. Appointments can be scheduled at the Minnesota Genealogical Center on Wednesday morning, March 12, for one-on-one consultations with UHF staff, including access to the Hoffman Research Library. Watch for more details. |
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November 2024 podcast
In the November edition of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 5 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the November webinar, featuring Jane Kennedy. Jane’s presentation is titled “The Connemara of County Galway: Despair in the American Heartland” and is scheduled for November 16. This is a webinar-only event. Jane will talk about how many people in the western coastal areas of Connemara were given some assistance in 1880 to escape the ravages of famine and disease; however, they knew little about their new destination. They hoped to find a new homeland in America, but after 3,700 miles of travel, their destination in rural Western Minnesota was a prairie that scarcely resembled the Irish coast. As they settled in and began earning a living, they soon encountered one of the worst Minnesota winters ever recorded. You can register for the webinar through the Activities tab at left, or through our register link. [The Discount Code has been sent to members via email and is posted on IGSI’s member-only webpage (link).]
What is referred to as the Red Book of Ossory was recently placed on public display for the first time in St. Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny, Ireland. This book contains poems and songs written and composed by Richard de Ledrede, who was the Bishop of Ossory. The book dates back some 700 years and contains the earliest known recipe for distilling whiskey, or as they referred to it “aqua vitae,” the water of life. Whiskey was used for medicinal purposes due to the Black Death that was engulfing Europe at the time. Dave spoke to the archivist and librarian at the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin about the history of the Red Book of Ossory and what visitors can expect to see if they visit the display at St. Canice’s Cathedral.
The podcast also features the latest Irish History Minute. In this segment, Janelle discusses anti-Irish sentiment in America in the 1800s.These stories and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel.
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RootsTech early registration ends Oct 31
Early-bird pricing for RootsTech 2025 ends tomorrow, October 31.
Discover RootsTech--the conference where genealogy, technology and love for family intersect. The world's largest family discovery event will take place March 6-8 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
You can attend all three days for only $99 (or one day for $69), if you register by October 31. Online attendance is free.
For more information about the 2025 schedule and to register, click here. |
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New County Clare records online
RootsIreland.ie announces the addition of the following new birth, baptism, marriage and headstone records to their Clare database:
MARRIAGES:
Roman Catholic:
Ruan-Dysart (1846-1900) 529 entries
BAPTISMS:
Roman Catholic:
Flagmount (1842-1900) 3,450 entries
DEATHS:
1. Kilkee Civil (1864-1979) 6,915 entries
2. Feakle Civil (1864-1997) 3,996 entries
BIRTHS - CIVIL:
Killaloe Civil (1893-1925) 1,434 entries
GRAVE (Graveyards):
1.Quin Abbey (579 entries)
2.Clooney (260 entries)
3. St Finghins Church (186 entries)
4. Crusheen (215 entries)
5. Kiltoola (87 entries)
6. Inchicronan (56 entries)
Total 17,701
For an up-to-date list of sources for Clare and to search these records, go to clare.rootsireland.ie and login or subscribe as required.
Map image courtesy of clarelibrary.ie. |
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Free death records for Halloween
MyHeritage is offering free access to their death records October 29-November 1, 2024.
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Irish DNA Decoded
A video on the History Hub YouTube channel may challenge what you thought you knew about your Irish heritage.
Click here to view "Irish DNA Decoded: 6000 Years of Surprising Ancestry."
Journey through time as the complex tapestry of Irish DNA is unraveled, from ancient Anatolian farmers to Celtic warriors and Viking raiders.
Thanks to our reader for sharing this story as she rethinks the significance of her DNA results (albeit a small percentage) from the Middle East and Spain.
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Following Clues from the Census
Genealogy Detective Skills: Following Clues from the Census
presented by J. H. (“Jay”) Fonkert, CG
Saturday, Oct 19, 10:30am to Noon (CDT)
A hybrid event with a live audience in Mendota Heights, Minnesota
$15 for IGSI members (with Discount Code); $20 for non-members
Census records are the bread and butter of genealogical research. A census enumeration anchors your ancestors in a time and place, but also offers clues to family migrations and family dynamics. You might just reveal blended families, clues to migration routes, and relatives “in the hood.” Expect census errors and double enumerations. Wonder how to make sense of pre-1850 tick marks? Let’s discuss.
You can enjoy this presentation at the live event in Minnesota or as part of our virtual audience. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion until the scheduled end time, when the broadcast and recording will stop. Attendees at the live event can linger for social time after the program, and have the option of ordering a box lunch in advance. Can’t attend the live broadcast? Register anyway and get a free link to the recording and handout.
The member Discount Code is also posted on the member-only webpage (link).
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First Medal of Honor recipient
Here in Richmond (VA) for a family gathering, we found time  to visit the American Civil War Museum, an amazing collection of artifacts and stories!
I was struck by a display about an "Irish-born physician (who) organized the first field hospital at the Battle of Shiloh," Dr. Bernard John Dowling Irwin. At right is a photo taken at the exhibit. My curiosity led me to dig a little further into his history.
Born in County Roscommon in 1830, Bernard J. D. Irwin immigrated to the U.S. as a child with his parents. After graduating from medical college, he became an assistant surgeon with the U.S. Army in 1856 and served commendably through the Civil War and beyond.
A significant fact was not evident in the museum's display. Dr. Irwin is credited as the first recipient of the Medal of Honor:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Assistant Surgeon Bernard John Dowling Irwin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on February 13 & 14, 1861, while serving with 7th U.S. Infantry, in action at Apache Pass, Arizona Territory. Assistant Surgeon Irwin voluntarily took command of troops and attacked and defeated hostile Indians he met on the way. Surgeon Irwin volunteered to go to the rescue of Second Lieutenant George N. Bascom, 7th Infantry, who with 60 men was trapped by Chiricahua Apaches under Cochise. Irwin and 14 men, not having horses began the 100-mile march riding mules. After fighting and capturing Indians, recovering stolen horses and cattle, he reached Bascom's column and help break his siege.
Though his Army Medal of Honor was not presented until 1894, Dr. Irwin's leadership on February 13-14, 1861--a year before the MOH was created--was the first Medal of Honor action in history.
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genealogy. They often provide essential details, including birth and death dates, family connections, last addresses, and heartfelt obituaries that add personality to each name.