Thousands of Irish emigrant letters in a digital repository have been made available by the University of Galway for online public search.

The donated collection had been gathered by Kerby A  Miller, a U.S. history professor, during his five decades of researching the Irish diaspora's immigrant experience. The majority of the letters were sent from the U.S. back to Ireland, with most written between 1850 and 1950.

Here are snippets from letters shared by the University as the IMERSE project was launched:

“We have too many loved ones in the Cemetery here to leave them … We have been here a long time - and it is home to us now.” - Jane Crowe, writing to her brother in Roscommon in 1959. 

“... old people are very little thought of in this country, not even There own families have any regard for them when they become played out from age and my own is no Exception as I could not get 1 penny from any of mine but what I can earn myself...” - ditch-digger Patrick McKeown, writing home in 1904. 

“Ah Nora, It makes my very heart break when I think right of home … oh Nora I hate to think of it because I do be that homesick and lonely.” - Galway women writing home in 1921. 

“I do not care any thing at all about gone home.” “I was born in old Ireland but I am quite happy sometimes I never think I was in old Ireland at all. I never (even) think of it ... for I do not entend ever to see it.” - Thomas McCann, writing in October 1894.  

When searching the archive, one first sees an easy-to-read typed transcript, but the original letter can also be viewed. The user-friendly database allows queries to be customized in several ways. (Using the search term "Minnesota" returned 35 results.)

More of the Miller collection will become available as the project continues, and the University has appealed for more material to be donated.

Begin your search and read more about the IMERSE Project here.