You can now follow Derry genealogy - as well as archive, museum, education, outreach and event services of Derry City and Strabane District Council - in its new home in Derry's award-winning Tower museum at www.facebook.com/towermuseum.

Brian Mitchell sent us that announcement a couple weeks ago and I've been meaning to share it with you. This morning when I looked at the Tower Facebook page again, I saw a photo of the Britannia, a ship that began weekly sailings between Derry and Glasgow in 1822. The photo threw me into thoughts of family history.

My 4X great-grandfather, Henry McKlveen, who according to family lore was born in Glasgow, probably made the trip between "the Clyde and the Foyle" on a sailing ship a few decades earlier. His children were supposedly born in Ireland (Donegal?). By the late 1790s he and his family had emigrated to America and were living in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Will we find evidence of the McKlveens (McIlweans) when we visit Ireland in September? Which reminds me -- have you heard about the IGSI trip to Ireland, September 12-23, 2015? A few open spots remain, and the registration deadline has been extended. Get details about the trip here:  www.irishgenealogical.org/page/igsi-2015-irish-genealogy-research-trip