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IGSI podcasts
Check out our monthly podcast on the IGSI You Tube Channel. The program is called “This Month at the IGSI” and is hosted by genealogist and IGSI member Dave Miller. The podcasts provide the latest information regarding the Irish Genealogical Society International and what activities are planned for the upcoming month.
 You can visit and subscribe to IGSI's YouTube channel at any time by clicking the YouTube link here, or at the lower right side of our main page (below the upcoming activities).
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In the May episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 11 of season 3) genealogist Dave Miller talks about the May webinar, featuring … Elizabeth Williams Gomoll. Her topic is called “Alien Passenger Code.” This presentation will be held on May 31st. This is a webinar only event. Finding an immigrant's name on a passenger list is exciting, but there's more information on that sheet than you might expect. Learn what the cryptic abbreviations and number codes jotted on U.S. customs manifests can reveal about an immigrant's experience when they arrived in "Amerika." 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 with a coupon and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
Dave also talks about a place you can go visit if you plan on traveling to Dublin this year. Plus, Dave interviews an Irish Master Distiller who is now practicing his trade in America. Brian Nation tells Dave how he became a Master Distiller, what brought him to America and how he is practicing his trade.
These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel and on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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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 called “Mr. Blackstone’s Common Law.” This presentation will be held on April 26 th. This 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 with a coupon and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar at: 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 who was Germany’s first professor of Celtic Studies. Zimmer’s manuscript was written in 1894 and 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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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 12. This will be in conjunction with the Ulster Historical Foundations March Lecture Tour featuring Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt. This will be 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 on the 12th of March. Registration for the events and the consultations is required. You can find out more about the in person the online event and the consultations along with registration at the website at irishgenealogical.org.
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.
These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel and on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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In the February episode of the "This month at the IGSI" podcast (episode 8 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about upcoming events for IGSI. Events for February: Irish Saturday on February 8, and virtual webinar Irish Vital Records - Unlock Your Ancestors with Fiona Fitzsimons on February 15. Dave interviews Fintan Mullan of the Ulster Historical Foundation about their upcoming visit to IGSI, when they will visit us for Irish Heritage Day, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Fintan and Gillian Hunt, also of the UHF, will be in Minnesota to educate us on how to find important records online and in-person. They are also offering one-on-one 30-minute consultations on Wednesday March 12, with prior reservations required ( www.ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com). Details about these and other events can be found on our website, www.IrishGenealogical.org. You can register for the February webinar on our website: https://irishgenealogical.org/eventListings.php?nm=34.
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In the January episode of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 7 of season 3) and the very first episode of 2025, genealogist Dave Miller talks about the January webinar, featuring …Mark Thompson. The webinar is entitled, Using Artificial Intelligence to Research Documents & Letters. This presentation will be held on January 4 th. This is a webinar only event. Mark will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist you in analyzing and researching your family’s personal archives, on paper or online. Whether you need to summarize large documents to easily identify names and relationships, or to develop a "cast of characters" or timeline in complex documents, AI tools can make your research more efficient and effective. Mark will also introduce you with terms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and more. He will explain how AI can "lighten the load" of research and help you reveal rich history deep in your family archive! The webinar will begin at 10:30 am and will last until noon Central Time. The cost of the webinar is $15 for members with a coupon and $20 for non-members. You can register for the webinar on our website: https://irishgenealogical.org/eventListings.php?nm=34
Dave also interviewed IGSI Co-President Walt Rothwell who will go over the webinars that have already been determined for 2025 including some hybrid webinars. He will also talk about the plans for the Ulster Historical Foundation visit in March and the day long hybrid presentations.
The podcast also features the latest Irish History Minute. In this segment, Janelle discusses the 1916 Easter Uprising in Ireland the events that led to the uprising and the end results. These stories along with the entire episode and previous podcast episodes are available on the IGSI YouTube channel and on our website: https://irishgenealogical.org/cpage.php?pt=174
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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 on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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 on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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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 16th. 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 on our website: irishgenealogical.org.
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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In the October edition (Episode 4 of Season 3) of our podcast, “This month at the IGSI,” genealogist Dave Miller introduces the next hybrid webinar, scheduled for October 19th, featuring genealogist Jay Fonkert’s presentation, Genealogy Detective Skills: Following Clues from the Census. Jay will help you understand the value of census records in your research and will also help you make sense of pre-1850 census records. The event will be held at the Minnesota Genealogy Society at 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100, in Mendota Heights. Tours of the Research Library and Irish Collection will be offered during the lunch and social time following the program. Registration for the live event is limited to 40 people; there is no limit to the number of virtual attendees. You can register on the registration link at Irishgenealogical.org.
While we talk about Irish festivals that occur here in North America, we seldom talk about festivals that occur in Ireland. In this podcast, Dave highlights several interesting and fun Irish Halloween festivals that occur near the end of October. He talks with an expert on Irish culture who says Irish folklore suggests Halloween can be traced to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain. Learn how you can enjoy these festivals if you plan to visit Ireland this fall. You won’t want to miss this!
The podcast will also include the latest Irish History Minute. In this month’s segment, Janelle Asselin discusses Irish women whose lives were changed due to criminal transportation.
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In theSeptember edition of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast (episode 3 of season 3), genealogist Dave Miller talks about the September webinar, which is a hybrid event and is our popular brick wall panel discussion. The title is “What is your brick wall?” and it is scheduled for September 28th. So, if you are in or around Minnesota and would like to attend the live event in person, you can register online. The event will be held at the Minnesota Genealogy Center at Suite 100, 1385 Mendota Heights Road in Mendota Heights. Registration for the live event is limited to 40 people. Tours of the Research Library and Irish Collection will be offered after the program, during the lunch and social time. There is no limit to the number of virtual attendees. Our panelists are genealogists Tom Rice and Kathy Lund. You can register using the registration link at: irishgenealogical.org.
In the podcast, we also have the latest Irish History Minute. In this segment, Janelle discusses the lives of Irish women whose lives were changed due to criminal transportation.
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In the August edition (episode 2 of Season 3) of the “This month at the IGSI” podcast, genealogist Dave Miller begins the episode by providing the date for the August “Irish Saturday” event: August 10th.
Dave also talks about the August webinar that will be hosted by Paula Stewart-Warren. Michael’s presentation on August 17th is titled Railroad Records and Railroad History: Methods for Tracking! Paula will talk about the railroads and their history. If your ancestor worked for the railroad, she will discuss how to find out the various railroads where your ancestor might have worked? Where did the railroad run? Are there railroad records which may give you personal details about your ancestor’s employment with the railroad? Visuals and references demonstrate the wealth of historical materials available across the U.S. This lecture will help you know where to turn to find out more about the railroad, its records, and where to find them. This webinar will be virtual only and will continue virtual only.
We will also have the latest Irish History Minute. Janelle will discuss the Great Irish Potato Famine and explain some things you might not have known about what led to the Great Famine. Dave also talked to the Ulster Historical Foundation’s Executive Director Fintan Mullan and their plans for the Lecture Tour scheduled for next March and where they plan to make stops!
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