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| Irish Roots is published in print and digital formats |
Whether you are searching for connections to your Irish ancestors in Ireland, the UK, North America or Australia, in the ancient past or more recent centuries, there are plenty of useful information and motivating research tips within the covers of the magazine.
If your ancestors emigrated to the United States, you'll find some essential reading in Judith Eccles's new four-part article series on 19th-century care of the poor in the US; in part one, she explores indentured servitude, contractutal care and the many poorhouses, almshouses, County Farms and Poor Farms, explaining the history and development of these forms of poor relief and the type of records created by them. (Part II will look at military veteran homes and institutions such as
orphanages, hospitals and asylums.)
For Irish-Australian researchers there's a feature by genealogist Jennifer Harrison exploring the Ireland-born journalists who established or extended newspaper printing presses in the emerging cities of the 19th-century continent, while Raymond Keogh tells of his own project to organise a sample of 120 mainly handwritten comminiques dating 1917–1986 from Ireland, England and the USA; he highlights the need for genies to urge family members to write down their own associated story with recollections expressed in letters, or with photos, so that their descendants can interpret and understand their context.
My own What's New? feature reviews recent record releases and Irish genealogical developments, and throws in some crystal ball gazing for good measure, while James Ryan comprehensively sets out the record collections you'll need to consult for tracing ancestors in County Carlow. Genealogy tutor Sean Murphy continues his exploration into the family history of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders, and in this issue looks at the backgrounds of Thomas MacDonagh, Seán Mac Diarmada, Joseph Plunkett and Éamonn Ceannt.
Shifting way back in time some 5,500 years, a feature about the Hill of the Witch delves into the story of Queen Tailtu of the Firbolgs, the Hag's Chair and the numerous cairns that characterise Loughcrew, the highest point of County Meath.
In addition, the magazine brings you news from around the genealogy societies, details of events taking place between March and early June, book reviews, a revealing case study of 'house history' research carried out by Lorna Moloney and Lauren Cassidy on a property in Limerick City, an introduction to the Rising exhibition newly launched at the National Library of Ireland's Photographic Archive, and a reader's research into the history of the O'Rourkes, one of Ireland's most famous and ancient families. In addition, you'll find the Q&A page, which brings valuable guidance from Timeline's Nicola Morris to help readers unravel their research mysteries, Readers Letters, and much more.