Friday 31 August 2018

Melbourne to host 2018 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine on 28 October

Josepha Madigan T.D., Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, has announced that the 2018 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will take place in Melbourne on Sunday 28 October.

The Government will be represented at the event by Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister of State at both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Confirming the arrangements for this year’s International Commemoration, Minister Madigan said: "It is particularly fitting, following the hosting by University College Cork of the National Famine Commemoration in May, that this year’s overseas commemoration is held in Melbourne given strong historical links between Melbourne and Cork. Some 1,700 of the 4,412 young Irish women and girls who travelled from the workhouses of Ireland between 1848 and 1850 under the Earl Grey Scheme in search of hope and a new beginning, many of them from County Cork, were processed through the Government Depot in William Street, Melbourne.

"This year’s commemoration represents an opportunity to not only honour the work of the Irish Community in Melbourne in preserving its history but also to pay special tribute to the memory of those young women and their contribution to their adopted homeland.”

2018 will be the second time the international commemoration has been held in Australia (Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D. attended the 2013 commemoration in Sydney). There have been nine international commemorations of the Great Irish Famine to date. Since the first international commemoration in Toronto and Quebec in 2009, events have also been held in Canada, the USA and the UK.

Conference: Crime and Punishment in C19th & C20th Ireland - 200 years of Sligo Gaol, 1818-2018

To mark the 200th anniversary of Ireland's only surviving polygonal prison, Sligo Gaol is holding a conference – Crime and Punishment in 19th- & 20th-century Ireland - 200 years of Sligo Gaol, 1818-2018 – on the weekend of 7-9 September.

A diverse selection of topics ranging from the Spike Island Excavations to Child Prisoners in Sligo Gaol in the late C19th, and from Dark Tourism to MIchael Collins' Jail Journal will be presented and discussed by leading experts in the field of crime and punishment in 19th and 20th century Ireland.

The weekend celebrations will include bespoke tours of Sligo Gaol (for delegates), the launch of a children’s book and the unveiling of a portrait of Michael Collins, who was an inmate in the jail 100 years ago. There is also an optional Conference Dinner on the Saturay evening... not in the jail.

​You can view and download the full conference brochure here. See EventBrite for Tickets (€24-€30, includes refreshments each day and lunch on Saturday).

FindMyPast US: 50% off a 1-month Ultimate package

Findmypast.com is offering US researchers a 50% discount on its 1-month Ultimate British & Irish subscription.

http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2114&awinaffid=123532&clickref=&p= https%3A%2F%2Fwww.findmypast.com%2Fsep-offer
The Ultimate package includes FindMyPast's Irish, UK and US census, birth, marriage and death records; Irish and UK parish and migration records; wills, probate and institutional collections; British military records, and a vast collection of British and Irish newspapers, which includes 43 titles from Northern Ireland, 114 from the Republic of Ireland.

Subscribers also receive access to exclusive guides and masterclasses.

With this half price offer, the cost of a one-month sub is reduced from $19.95 to $9.98.

This is a US offer only for new customers. After the initial offer period, your subscription will automatically renew at the regular price unless you un-tick the ‘auto-renew my subscription’ box in the My Account section of the site.

To take advantage of the saving, click the image above.

RootsIreland adds Swords gravestone inscriptions

Swords Heritage Centre has uploaded 1,000 gravestone inscription records to its County Dublin (North) database on RootsIreland.ie.
http://www.dublinnorth.rootsireland.ie/
The headstones and memorials relate to the following graveyards in Swords.

St Colmcille’s, Swords (Roman Catholic)
St Columba’s, Swords (Church of Ireland)

You'll find a detailed list of all the Dublin North sources held in the database here. To search any of the records, click the logo above and then select the Parish/District from the drop-down list (login and subscribe, as necessary).


Tuesday 28 August 2018

RootsTech expands into London in 2019

RootsTech, probably the world's largest family history and technology conference and trade show, is going to arrive in London (UK) next year! The dates are confirmed as 24-26 October, 2019, with registration starting in late February.

The news comes from Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International, and Jen Allen, director of the RootsTech event, which has been held annually in the Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, since 2011.

You can view/listen to  the announcement via video on Facebook, here, or see the RootsTech website.

Incidentally, the Excel venue is excellent: very modern and well connected via the Dockands Light Railway and major roads. Plus loads of parking.

(The 2019 SLC RootsTech will be held 27 February to 2 March.)

Irish version of WDYTYA? returns to RTE this autumn

After a break of nine years, a new series of Who Do You Think You Are? (WDYTYA?) has been announced by RTÉ, Ireland's state broadcaster. The Irish genealogy documentary series was first aired in 2008 and follows pretty much the same formula of the UK and US versions.

In the new series, the family history of six individuals will be explored. They are: former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey, actor and stage director Adrian Dunbar, actor and comedian Pat Shortt, and academic and former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.

All the genealogical research was carried out by a team led by Nicola Morris MAGI, director of Dublin-based Timeline, with the support of several other Members of Accredited Geneaogists Ireland.

No precise screening dates have been confirmed yet, but the programmes are intended for broadcast as part of the Autumn schedule.

UPDATE, 31 August:
Nicola has advised that the first episode of the new series will be broadcast on Sunday 9 September, at 9.30 pm.



New book: 'Kilkenny: In Times of Revolution, 1900-23'

A new study of the opening decades of the 20th century in Kilkenny – Kilkenny: In Times of Revolution, 1900-1923 – reveals that the county was at the forefront of the struggle for Irish freedom.

The 296-page book, written by historian Eoin Swithin Walsh, includes previously unseen archival material and explores the key personalities, revolutionary organisations and dramatic events in the county, but looks, too, at the lives of the ‘ordinary’ men and women outside of the conflict.

Publisher Irish Academic Press, €19.99. Also Amazon and other good bookshops.

ISBN 9781785371974.

Limerick, 1918-1923, a day conference, 1 September

Limerick, 1918-23, New Approaches is a one-day conference (9:30am to 5:30pm) to be hosted by the Department of History at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, on Saturday 1 September.

https://limerick1823.wordpress.com/programme-2/It will bring together a range of scholars taking local, national and global perspectives while working on new and innovative aspects of the history of the revolutionary years 1918–1923 in County Limerick.

The conference keynote will be delivered by Professor Fearghal McGarry, Professor of Modern Irish History at Queen's University Belfast.

Attendance is free, and lunch and refreshments will be provided, but registration is essential. Click image for full programme and abstracts.

Host: Mary Immaculate College
Venue: T116, Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick. 

Ulster Historical Foundation to present Irish & Scots-Irish course at British Institute in October

https://isbgfh.org
The Ulster Historical Foundation's Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt will be delivering a week-long course (15-19 October), on researching Irish and Scots-Irish ancestors in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

The course is part of the 2018 British Institute, which is organised annually by the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History.

During the week, some nineteen different topics will be presented, covering research areas suitable for both the beginner and more experienced family historians. The course includes sessions in the nearby Family History Library, as well as a 20-minute one-to-one consultation with either Fintan or Gillian.

For more information, click the image.



Monday 27 August 2018

Irish genealogy and heritage events, 27 Aug - 9 Sept

Monday 27 August: Bank holiday in Northern Ireland. All libraries and archives are closed to the public. (This holiday does not apply to the Republic of Ireland.)

Tuesday 28 August: Family History Research Centre and Library open. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society. Venue: Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. Free parking. Hours: 2pm to 8pm. All welcome.

Thursday 30 August: Using family and local history resources online, a two-hour workshop. Host and venue: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast. The workshop starts with an orientation tour of PRONI, followed by an introduction to searching resources online. 11am to 1pm. Free but registration required.

Thursday 30 August: From North Cork to Brazil, the migration of some 3100 North Cork families, with Christopher Burden. Host and venue: Mallow Library, Main Street, Mallow, Co. Cork. 3pm. Free. All welcome. No need to book.

Thursday 30 August to Saturday 1 September: The Genealogy Event. Host: Irish Central. Venue: Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick. Two-day genealogy and DNA conference with optional social events and bookable one-to-one consultations. Tickets, programme and details.

Saturday 1 September: Irish historical walking tour of the City of London. Hosted by Irish Historical Walks in London. Meet outside Holborn Tube Station, London WC2B 6AA from 12:45pm. Tour starts 1pm and ends 3pm. The tour explores historical, politican and social themes inside the walls of the City and the Irish people who lived and worked there over the last 300 years. Free, but donations accepted. Details.

Saturday 1 September: Limerick 1918-1923: New Approaches. A full-day conference. Host and venue: Mary Immaculate College (T116, Tara Building), South Circular Road, Limerick. Free, and refreshment and lunch provided. 9:30am to 5:30pm. All welcome. See programme. Need to register.

Sunday 2 September: Irish and Jewish communities in East London, a walking tour looking at the vibrant immigrant communities from the Irish in the C17th, to the Jewish in the 1860s. Host: Wolfe Tone Society London. Venue: Meet outside Whitechapel Gallery, beside Aldgate East tube station, London E1, UK at 11:45pm. Walk, Noon to 2pm. We will meet outside Whitechapel gallery, beside Aldgate east tube station at 11:45. Tour is free, and there's a collection for the guide at the end. Details. https://www.facebook.com/events/695807484104641/

Monday 3 September NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service, operate as normal. Details.

Tuesday 4 September: Family History Research Centre and Library open. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society. Venue: Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. (Free parking.) Hours: 2pm to 8pm. All welcome.

Wednesday 5 September: Researching your Church of Ireland ancestors, with Sandra Doble MAGI. Sandra takes an in depth look at Church of Ireland records, not just parish registers, revealing the more obscure but equally useful genealogical resources for this denomination. Host: Accredited Genealogists Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland. Venue: NAI, Bishop Streeet, Dublin 8. 6pm. Free. No need to book.

Thursday 6 September: Navigating Online Sources for Irish Research, a free live webinar, with Donna Moughty. Host: The Ontario Genealogical Society. Venue: Online. 7pm ET. Registration required to watch. Recording available afterwards to society members only. Details.

Saturday 8 September : Crime and Punishment in 19th- and 20th-Century Ireland – 200 years of Sligo Gaol, 1818-2018, a weekend conference. Host@ Sligo Gaol. Venue: Clayton Hotel, Clarion Road, Ballytivnan, Sligo Town, Co Sligo. Registration 9am. Lectures 10am–5pm, followed by optional Conference Dinner at 8pm. See conference programme.

Sunday 9 September: Remembering Michael Collins' imprisonment in Sligo Gaol, 1918. Morning: one hour tours of Sligo Gaol for delegates of the previous day's conference only. Talk – Michael Collins' Jail Journal, 2-21 April 1918, with Phelim Brady at Noon, followed by unveiling of portrait, and refreshments. Host and venue: Sligo Gaol, Gaol Rd, Abbeyquarter South, Sligo Town. See details.

Saturday 25 August 2018

UHF announces death of Dr Brian Trainor

The Ulster Historical Foundation (UHF) has announced the sad news of the death of Dr Brian Trainor, the Foundation's Emeritus Research Director, at the age of 90.

Dr Trainor made an immense contribution to numerous archives and libraries, and to local historical, genealogy and community groups over the last seven decades. During his long career, he worked for the Institute of Historical Research in London, for Queen's University Belfast, for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, including as its Director from 1970 to 1987, and as Research Director of the UHF. He was also chairman of the Irish Manuscripts Commission twice.

Dr Trainor's funeral will be on Tuesday, 28 August. Details here.

The UHF office in Belfast will be closed on that day and also on Monday 27 August (a bank holiday in Northern Ireland).

Friday 24 August 2018

FindMyPast adds Dublin police and prisoners' records

FindMyPast has added two new Dublin collections comprising more than 42,000 records relating to police and prisoners, as follows:

Ireland, Dublin Metropolitan Police Prisoners Books 1905-1908 and 1911-1918

The Dublin Metropolitan Police prisoners books provide insight into social and political life in the Irish capital during periods of great upheaval, including the start of the First World War and the Easter Rising.

Each record includes both a transcript and an image of the original document. The entries are handwritten and include the details of daily charge sheets. Each volume contains an index of prisoners with references to the pages containing details of the charge. The volumes contain a wide range of alleged crimes from murder to breaking glass, and, from 8 August 1914, include a new series of offences following the Defence of the Realm Act. The latter were often used against political activists.

Be sure to read the record-set's description on the landing page, which includes a list of the 24 police stations that generated these records.


Ireland, Dublin Metropolitan Police general register 1837-1925


The Dublin Metropolitan Police's general registers relate to recruitment and transfers within the police force from 1837 to 1925. (The registers continued in use to 1975, but for data protection reasons, only the entries up to 1925 have been digitised.)

The general register recorded both biographical and professional details of the men in the force, including: warrant number, name, age, height, trade or occupation, county, parish, post town, previous public service, by whom recommended, divisions attached to, service details (dates, rank, promotions), good service pay, date and cause of removal from the force, reappointment details, and general observations. From 1858 onwards, religion was added as well.

Some additional background information about this record-set can be found on the collection's landing-page.

NOTE: These registers are available in pdf format and free to download from University College Dublin's Digital Library:
Dublin Metropolitan Police General Register
Dublin Metropolitan Police Prisoners Books


Thursday 23 August 2018

Autumn issue of Irish Roots magazine published

https://www.irishrootsmedia.com/
The autumn edition of Irish Roots, Ireland's only independent genealogy magazine, has been published. Its cover features four shiny gold prehistoric artefacts discovered in June in Donegal.

This edition carries the following features:
  • Gravestone inscriptions — their value to your research
  • Researching your Co. Tipperary ancestors 
  • Using DNA Triangulation techniques to discover your ancestors  
  • Digitising your family tree — Using family photographs
  • 1916 Rent Rolls of Tynte Park Estate, Co Wicklow
  • An A-Z of Irish genealogical terms
  • Australian Irish connections— legislation to stop cruelty to animals
  • Round up of latest Irish genealogy releases and developments
  • Tracing Grandpa Graham - a reader's experience
  • Society Notes, Genealogical Comment, Readers’ Queries Answered, Letters to the Editor, and much more
Click the front cover image to learn more. You'll also find a sample of the issue available for free!


Wednesday 22 August 2018

RootsIreland adds 38,000 East Galway RC baptisms

RootsIreland has added some 38,000 transcriptions of Roman Catholic baptism records to its database at www.rootsireland.ie/galway-east-genealogy/.

The parishes and years of coverage of this update are as follows:

Ballygar : Baptisms – 1804-1897
Kilmacduagh : Baptisms – 1848-1872
Leitrim : Baptisms – 1815-1918
Portumna : Baptisms – 1830-1917
Tynagh : Baptisms – 1816-1917

For a full list of sources held by the East Galway Genealogy Centre please click here.


Tuesday 21 August 2018

Latest from NEHGS on MA Catholic Registers project

AmericanAncestors.org, the online database of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, has continued to add to its Massachusetts: Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Records, 1789-1900 collections, as follows:

Indexed collection has seen the addition of six baptism and marriage register volumes from St Patrick, Lowell, the town's earliest parish.

Many of the records found in these volumes were not recorded in Massachusetts’ civil records, making them an important source of information for researchers (see more details here). This update adds 50,405 new records and 200,389 new names to the database.

This collection is available to Individual-level (and above) NEHGS members only.

Browse collection has been updated with images from 43 registers volumes from nine parishes:

  • Immaculate Conception, Everett
  • Immaculate Conception, Malden,
  • Immaculate Conception, Stoughton
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cambridge
  • St. Charles Borromeo, Woburn
  • St. James, Salem
  • St. John the Baptist, East Boston
  • St. Mary, Quincy
  • St. Thomas Aquinas, Bridgewater
If you have questions about navigating this database, watch the NEHGS how-to video.

If you're not an NEHGS member, you can access the browseable collection free of charge with a free Guest account. This is easy to set up via the Sign Up button.

Monday 20 August 2018

Registry of Deeds Index Project: latest additions

Thanks to the continuing efforts of volunteers, there are now 281,771 index entries from 31,146 memorials of deeds ready for searching in the main Registry of Deeds Index Project database.

Additionaly, there are now 19,117 Grantors’ Index transcriptions available to search on the website.

These include all the A’s from 1708 to 1729.

The Grantors’ Indexes are not necessarily difficult to transcribe (click image below for enlarged view of sample page from 1862 register). Can you spare some time to help the project move on? Find out more here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XzFDXINsz3PrIOrg2Ost-wt1O_NTlfFZ/view
Sample page from 1862 Grantors' Index – click for exlarged view

Irish genealogy and history events: 20 Aug - 2 Sep

This week's fortnightly listing of Irish genealogy and history events covers the bulk of Heritage Week (18-26 August), Ireland's annual celebration of built, natural and cultural heritage and the nation's most popular cultural event. 2018 will see more than 2,000 events taking place.

I've listed below some of the more obvious famiy history events, but the Heritage Week website is heavily loaded with details of wonderful and interesting tours, lectures, performances and exhibitions designed to explore the times and lives of our ancestors. Since gathering events for my listing, I'm sure others will have been notified to the website, so be sure to check what's on in your area of interest at HeritageWeek.ie.

As happens every year, the period after the heritage extravaganza is pretty quiet. I'll update with any additional events I hear of  for the end of August.

Monday 20 August NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service, operate as normal. Details.

Monday 20 to Friday 24 August: Living Folklore: a daily archive tour. Host and venue: National Folklore Collection UCD, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 11am to 12pm. Free, but booking required - email bealoideas@ucd.ie.

Tuesday 21 August: Sligo Heritage Video collection. Host and venue: County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society, County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Centre, Aras Reddan, Temple St, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, Co. Sligo. 10am to 12:30pm. Visitors will be able to choose from a selection of short videos & presentations on topics including Emigration from Sligo Port and the Schools Folklore Collection. Free. Booking required - tel: 0719143728 or email community@sligoroots.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Mountmellick Library, O'Moore St, Townparks, Mountmellick, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578644572.

Tuesday 21 August: Genealogy, an introductory workshop. Host: Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society. Venue: Ballybofey Library, Steeple View, Navenny Street, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. 6pm-8pm. Admission Free. Details.

Tuesday 21 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640

Tuesday 21 August: Family Connections, with Larry McNutt. Discover the connection and relationships of families in Buncrana and elsewhere. Host: West Inishowen History & Heritage Society, Venue: The Plaza, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. Admission Free. 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Further Information T- 087 9227 038, E- westinishowenhistory@gmail.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Online family research sources. Host and venue: Kilkenny County Library, Loughboy Library, Loughboy Shopping Centre, Waterford Rd, Gallowshill, Kilkenny. 11:30am to 1pm. Admission Free. Details: T - 0567794176, E - loughboy@kilkennylibrary.ie.

Wednesday 22 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640

Wednesday 22 August: Irish Assistance in the Library. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Victoria, Level 6, 85 Queen St, Melbourne 3000, Australia. 10am to 4pm. Free for members. $20 non-members. One-hour consultations can be booked. Details.

Wednesday 22 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Portlaoise Library, Dunamaise House, Lyster Square, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578622333, E - scarroll@laoiscoco.ie.

Wednesday 22 August: So, You're Scots-Irish? with Rebecca Kichta Miller. Host: Cranberry Genealogy Club. Venue: Cranberry Public Library, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA, USA. 6:30pm–8pm. Free.

Wednesday 22 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Wednesday 22 August: From Tralee to Rhodesia, the story of Dr. Georgina Revington, the first Tralee woman to graduate with a Bachelor in Medicine from Trinity College, Dublin in 1912. She went on to become medical officer for Lurgan Workhouse in Armagh and then worked in Rhodesia at the Kalene Missionary Hospital. Host and venue: Kerry County Museum, Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny St, Tralee, Co Kerry. 1pm to 1:45pm. Admission free. Info: tel - 0667127777, email - education@kerrymuseum.ie.

Thursday 23 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640.

Thursday 23 August: Researching your family history, a talk on tracing your Irish ancestry, particularly in Limerick, using online resources. Get expert advice and guidance from professional genealogists. Hosts: Limerick Archives & Limerick Genealogy. Venue: City Hall, Merchant's Quay, Limerick, Co Limerick. 10am - 11am. Free. Details: tel - 061556535, email - archives@limerick.ie.

Friday 24 August: Who do you think you are? Host and venue: Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, Co. Galway. Genealogists and historians will be on-hand to give advice on the resources available and give tips on growing your family tree. 12pm to 5pm. Admission free. Further Information, tel: 09097 59200, email: info@irishworkhousecentre.ie.

Friday 24 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Abbeyleix Library, Market Square, Knocknamoe, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578730020.

Friday 24 August: Family History Curiosities, an illustrated talk on the strange and interesting discoveries made during Irish family history research. Host and venue: Mallow Library, Thomas Davis St., Mallow, Co. Cork. 2pm to 3pm. Admission Free. Booking necessary. Tel: 022 21821, Email: mallow.library@corkcoco.ie

Friday 24 August: Creating your family history, and re-launch of the Ballinacree Historical Society website. Host: Ballinacree Historical Society. Venue: Ballinacree Community Centre, Ballinacree, Co. Meath. Free. 8:30pm - 10:30pm. Details.

Saturday 25 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Saturday 25 August: Researching your Irish family history, a talk and exhibition. Host and venue: Midleton Library, 81 Main St, Midleton, Co. Cork. All welcome. Free. No need to book. 12pm to 1pm.

Sunday 26 August: 19th Annual Great Irish Famine Commemoration Gathering at Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie St, Sydney, Australia. Host: Great Irish Famine Commemoration Memorial. 2pm to 4pm. Tickets: $5–$35. Details and booking.

Sunday 26 August: Free genealogy help session. Host and venue: Library of the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Avenue, Chicago, USA. From 1pm to 4pm. Free. All welcome.

Monday 27 August: Bank holiday in Northern Ireland. All libraries and archives are closed to the public. (This holiday does not apply to the Republic of Ireland.)

Tuesday 28 August: Family History Research Centre and Library open. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society. Venue: Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. (Free parking.) Hours: 2pm to 8pm. All welcome.

Thursday 30 August: Using family and local history resources online, a two-hour workshop. Host and venue: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast. The workshop starts with an orientation tour of PRONI, followed by an introduction to searching resources online. 11am to 1pm. Free but registration required.

Thursday 30 August to Saturday 1 September: The Genealogy Event. Host: Irish Central. Venue: Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick. Two-day genealogy and DNA conference with optional social events and bookable one-to-one consultations. Tickets, programme and details.

Saturday 1 September: Irish historical walking tour of the City of London. Hosted by Irish Historical Walks in London. Meet outside Holborn Tube Station, London WC2B 6AA from 12:45pm. Tour starts 1pm and ends 3pm. The tour explores historical, politican and social themes inside the walls of the City and the Irish people who lived and worked there over the last 300 years. Free, but donations accepted. Details.

Sunday 2 September: Irish and Jewish communities in East London, a walking tour looking at the vibrant immigrant communities from the Irish in the C17th, to the Jewish in the 1860s. Host: Wolfe Tone Society London. Venue: Meet outside Whitechapel Gallery, beside Aldgate East tube station, London E1, UK at 11:45pm. Walk, Noon to 2pm. We will meet outside Whitechapel gallery, beside Aldgate east tube station at 11:45. Tour is free, and there's a collection for the guide at the end. Details. https://www.facebook.com/events/695807484104641/


Thursday 16 August 2018

Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives: mid-Aug. update

Bolger headstone in Sacred Heart graveyard,
Arles, Co Laois. Photo courtesy
IGP Archives/William Muldowney/Michael Brennan
It may be the middle of the summer holidays but for some of the volunteers contributing to Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives, this time of year brings the opportunity to dust off the camera and notebook and head off for a day's graft photographing headstones and noting their inscriptions.

Thanks to them, we have another batch of files ready and waiting for researchers to search at their leisure.

CAVAN Genealogy Archives - Headstones
St. Felims (R.C.) Graveyard, Ballinagh

DONEGAL Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Abbey/Friary, Donegal Town (Part 1)

DUBLIN Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Mount Jerome, Dublin - Part 206

DUBLIN Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Deansgrange Cem., St. Nessan's Part 14

LAOIS Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Arles, Sacred Heart Graveyard, Parts 1 & 2

MONAGHAN & FERMANAGH Genealogy Archives - Church Records
Clones Parish Registers, Baptisms, 1799-1804

WEXFORD Genealogy Archives - Cemetery Records
Churchtown Old Cemetery, Rosslare (Updated)

Wednesday 15 August 2018

This weekend: West Cork History Festival

The West Cork History Festival gets underway in Skibbereen tomorrow with Thursday's and Friday's field and walking trips sold out. However, there are still tickets available for Friday evening and the weekend, with a full and varied programme of lectures, screenings, readings and concerts scheduled.

International, national and local themes are included in the line-up. Among the topics are the events of 1918; Carson and Redmond; Women’s Suffrage; the great Flu epidemic of 1918-1919; Gothic art; Protestants in West Cork 1920-25; Cillini (children's burial grounds); what people ate in 16th-century Ireland; pirates and treasure of the West Cork coast; and many more.

You can book tickets in advance, or buy on the gate.

All events take place in marquees, so you'll be undercover if the forecast dry and overcast weather turns more unsettled.

The venue – Rosebank, Russagh, Castletownshend Road, Skibbereen, County Cork – is about a kilometre south of the town centre and there's plenty of free parking (signed) at the neighbouring Liss Ard Estate.

Tuesday 14 August 2018

30% off all British Newspaper Archives' subscriptions

The British Newspaper Archive is offering a 30% discount on any subscriptions taken out on or by Saturday 25 August.

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=5895&awinaffid=123532&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk%2Faccount%2FsubscribeSubscriptions give you unlimited access to more than 27million pages of British and Irish newspapers dating back to the 1700s. The Irish collection alone holds 157 titles (43 of them from Northern Ireland), including national, regional and local papers.

To take advantage of the offer, click the 30% OFF button. Make your choice of subscription – a one-month sub, a three-month or an annual – and quote AUG18 in the promotion code box. With the discount, the subscription prices are reduced to £9.07, £18.15 or £56.04 respectively.

Registers of Shillelagh and Rathdrum workhouses go online

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cQj_M0zQI1gFWEUhixMlGunHJwdUbosB/view?usp=sharing
Click for enlarged view of this partial page sample
The Admissions and Discharges Registers of both Shillelagh Union Workhouse and Rathdrum Union Workhouse have been digitised and made available to researchers in a series of free pdf downloads from Wicklow.ie, the online home of the Wicklow County Archives and Wicklow Family History Centre.

Both collections dates from 1842 to the 1910s (with some missing volumes for Shillelagh) and are presented in 70-odd pdfs (each c26Mb-45Mb). An alphabetical index of names is found at the start of each book and the double-page spread of entries have headings as follows:

  • Number and Name of pauper
  • Single/Married/Widow/er/Child of
  • Trade/Calling
  • Disabled and nature of disability
  • Observations on condition upon admission
  • Date admitted or when born in the workhouse
  • Date of death or discharge

As you'd expect, reading the registers that cover the Famine years can be pretty harrowing. Here are just a few typical entries under the Heading 'Observations on condition upon admission' in 1846: Destitute and hungry; Left at the gate by mother; No means of support; Dirty and ragged; Dirty and ragged and dying; Destitute and cold; Ill of fever; Admitted in a dying state.

The Shillelagh and Rathdrum registers join other free-to-access digitised collections on the website (all accessible via the Wicklow.ie link above).

Archivist and Genealogist Catherine Wright told Irish Genealogy News that the archive next in line for digitisation is the Bray Town Commissioners and Urban District Council collection.


Ancestral flax or linen workers? Pop into Linenopolis

Linenopolis, a new “pop-up” exhibition centre and store, has opened in the heart of Belfast’s historic Linen Quarter. Dedicated to linen, it provides an insight to the industry's social, economic and cultural history and is a showcase for the best in contemporary linen brands. It's part of the first Linen Biennale NI.

Linen plays a central role in the story of Belfast. It brought huge wealth and employment, drove rapid population growth, and directly contributed to Queen Victoria awarding Belfast ‘city status’ in 1888.

By the second half of the 19th century, Belfast boasted the largest linen industry in the world; and many of the beautiful red brick buildings in the Linen Quarter – now being comprehensively regenerated – were built to house the offices and warehouses of the industry.

Recalling the heyday of linen in Belfast, Linenopolis includes story boards, images and artefacts that highlight this heritage, and these are accompanied by moret han two dozen linen designers and artists including Katie Larmour, Mourne Textiles, Flax Fox, 31 Chapel Lane and Placed Ireland displaying their artisan wares.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Hargey officially opened the temporary attraction at the weekend. She said: “I’m so proud to see Linenopolis opening here in Belfast’s Linen Quarter. It’s the first store and visitor experience of its kind on the island of Ireland, and the fact that it’s here in Belfast, the historic home of the industry, is significant and illustrates the appetite for further opportunities in this area.

“Although this pop-up store will only be here for a short time, linen itself has a great future – as the 33 linen entrepreneurs here demonstrate. It’s wonderful to see linen featuring as an important part of Belfast’s story and our thriving creative industries once more.”

Linenopolis is located on Bedford Street, opposite the Grand Central Hotel, and will be open seven days a week until the end of September.

For more information about the Linen Biennale festival, see the programme or go to www.linenbiennalenorthernireland.com

Monday 13 August 2018

AncestryDNA - 25% off for Ireland/UK residents

Ancestry DNA's Summer Sale has spread to the eastern side of the Atlantic, losing a little generosity along the way (see USA sale blogpost).

Even so, a 25% discount isn't to be sniffed at, so if you were planning to treat yourself or your genie pal with a testing kit, now may be the right time to do so.

Click one of the flags below to order your kit and see the terms and conditions. Note that the price quoted excludes shipping costs.

The offers will expire at 23:59pm on Tuesday 21 August.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5737308-10819001?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ancestry.co.uk%2Fcs%2Fireland-dna
Ancestry DNA test. Ireland residents. Standard price €95. Sale price €71.



Ancestry DNA test. UK residents. Standard price £79. Sale price £59.

New military records join FindMyPast

FindMyPast has added the following British / Irish military records to its database:

Irish Officers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
Originally published in 1916 as Our Heroes, this book covered the period August 1914 to July 1916. It contains photographs, with biographical notes, of more than 1,000 officers of Irish regiments and Irish officers of British regiments who had fallen in action, or who had been mentioned for Distinguished Conduct. Also included in this volume is a brief history of the chief events of the Great War (to July 1916) in which Irish regiments were engaged.

Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards
More than 58,000 records have been added to FindMyPast's existing collection of 6.2million records, which includes details of awards across various branches of the military. The collection holds names from the British Army, Royal Marines, Royal Navy, and Merchant Navy and records from both world wars as well as the Peninsular War, Indian Mutiny, Waterloo, and many more conflicts. The new additions cover recipients of the Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Medal, and Distinguished Conduct Medal, Distinguished Service Order and Commando Gallantry awards. See the landing page for details of all 19 medal types covered.

Three other military collections joined the FindMyPast database last week, but as the source of the material of each is not adequately described, I'm not going to bother to describe them. I don't think they would be top collections for Irish ancestors, anyway. (Just as well.)

Irish genealogy, history & heritage events, 13-26 Aug

This week's two-week listing of Irish genealogy and history events runs into Heritage Week (18-26 August), Ireland's annual celebration of built, natural and cultural heritage and the nation's most popular cultural event. 2018 will see more than 2,000 events taking place.

I've listed below some of the more obvious famiy history events, but the Heritage Week website is heavily loaded with details of wonderful and interesting tours, lectures, performances and exhibitions designed to explore the times and lives of our ancestors. Since gathering events for my listing, I'm sure others will have been notified to the website, so be sure to check what's on in your area of interest at HeritageWeek.ie.

Monday 13 August: NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service, will open at 11am (late opening is to facilitate a staff development meeting) and operate as normal from that time. Details.

Monday 13 August: The Military Service Pensions Collection: Dependants of the War of Independence and Civil War casualties, with Robert McEvoy. Host and venue: Richmond Barracks, off Bulfin Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8. ‏11am. Tickets €5, includes tea/coffee & scone. Book or purchase at the door.

Tuesday 14 August to Saturday 18 August: Scots-Ulster Reunion & Conference, 5 days of tours, lectures, music, culture, and celebration. Host: Maine Ulster Scots Project. Venue: Bowdoin College, 255 Maine St, Brunswick, ME 04011, USADetails.

Thursday 16 August to Sunday 19 August: West Cork History Festival - lectures, performances, screenings (field trips all sold out). Venue: Rosebank, Russagh, Castletownshend Road, Skibbereen, Co. Cork (Rosebank is the the former dower house of the Liss Ard estate, less than a mile outside the town). All presentations/performances are in marquees. Programme and tickets.

Saturday 18 August: Máire Ní Murchú, the bean feasta/wisewoman of Beara, with Niamh Ní Lochlainn. Host: Bere Island Project Group. Venue: Bere Island Heritage & Information Centre, Ballinakilla, Bere Island, Co Cork.  2.30pm. Details.

Saturday 18 August: Sharing family history stories, with Penny Bristol-Jones, Eilish Feeley and Marie Gillooly. Host and venue: Roscommon County Library, Abbey Street, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. 10am to 12:30pm. Free. Details: T 0906 637272.

Saturday 18 August: Genealogy workshop, with resident genealogist Lynn Brady. Host and Venue: Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Finglas Rd, Botanic, Dublin 11. 2pm to 3:30pm. Free but booking required at booking@glasnevintrust.ie. Details.

Saturday 18 August: Family History workshop. Host: Western Family History Association. Venue: Lackagh Parish Centre, Turloughmore, Co. Galway. 3pm to 6pm. Free. Details.

Saturday 18 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August: Carving a Future from the Past, a weekend of Colgan heritage events including guided walk, genealogy workshop, Bliain na Gaeilge Get Writing, history of the alcohol factory, traditional music workshop, exhibition of schools' projects, and launch of ColganHeritage.com. Host and venue: Colgan Community & Resource Centre, Chapel Street, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. Saturday 9:30am - 9:30pm. Sunday 10:30am - 10:30pm. Details.

Sunday 19 August: Family Genealogy Day. Learn how to research or consult a genealogist. Host and venue: Belderrig Community Centre, Belderrig, Ballina, Co. Mayo. 3pm to 5pm. Free. Everyone welcome, although not suitable for under 12s.

Monday 20 to Friday 24 August: Living Folklore: a daily archive tour. Host and venue: National Folklore Collection UCD, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4. 11am to 12pm. Free, but booking required - email bealoideas@ucd.ie.

Tuesday 21 August: Sligo Heritage Video collection. Host and venue: County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society, County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Centre, Aras Reddan, Temple St, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, Co. Sligo. 10am to 12:30pm. Visitors will be able to choose from a selection of short videos & presentations on topics including Emigration from Sligo Port and the Schools Folklore Collection. Free. Booking required - tel: 0719143728 or email community@sligoroots.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Mountmellick Library, O'Moore St, Townparks, Mountmellick, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578644572.

Tuesday 21 August: Genealogy, an introductory workshop. Host: Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society. Venue: Ballybofey Library, Steeple View, Navenny Street, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal. 6pm-8pm. Admission Free. Details.

Tuesday 21 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640

Tuesday 21 August: Family Connections, with Larry McNutt. Discover the connection and relationships of families in Buncrana and elsewhere. Host: West Inishowen History & Heritage Society, Venue: The Plaza, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. Admission Free. 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Further Information T- 087 9227 038, E- westinishowenhistory@gmail.com.

Tuesday 21 August: Online family research sources. Host and venue: Kilkenny County Library, Loughboy Library, Loughboy Shopping Centre, Waterford Rd, Gallowshill, Kilkenny. 11:30am to 1pm. Admission Free. Details: T - 0567794176, E - loughboy@kilkennylibrary.ie.

Wednesday 22 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640

Wednesday 22 August: Irish Assistance in the Library. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Victoria, Level 6, 85 Queen St, Melbourne 3000, Australia. 10am to 4pm. Free for members. $20 non-members. One-hour consultations can be booked. Details.

Wednesday 22 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Portlaoise Library, Dunamaise House, Lyster Square, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578622333, E - scarroll@laoiscoco.ie.

Wednesday 22 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Wednesday 22 August: From Tralee to Rhodesia, the story of Dr. Georgina Revington, the first Tralee woman to graduate with a Bachelor in Medicine from Trinity College, Dublin in 1912. She went on to become medical officer for Lurgan Workhouse in Armagh and then worked in Rhodesia at the Kalene Missionary Hospital. Host and venue: Kerry County Museum, Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny St, Tralee, Co Kerry. 1pm to 1:45pm. Admission free. Info: tel - 0667127777, email - education@kerrymuseum.ie.

Thursday 23 August: Beginner's Family History one-to-one sessions. Host and venue: Cork County Library, Library Building, Carrigrohane Road, Cork City. 9:30am - 4pm. Admission free but booking required; T: 021 4285640.

Thursday 23 August: Researching your family history, a talk on tracing your Irish ancestry, particularly in Limerick, using online resources. Get expert advice and guidance from professional genealogists. Hosts: Limerick Archives & Limerick Genealogy. Venue: City Hall, Merchant's Quay, Limerick, Co Limerick. 10am - 11am. Free. Details: tel - 061556535, email - archives@limerick.ie.

Friday 24 August: Who do you think you are? Host and venue: Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, Co. Galway. Genealogists and historians will be on-hand to give advice on the resources available and give tips on growing your family tree. 12pm to 5pm. Admission free. Further Information, tel: 09097 59200, email: info@irishworkhousecentre.ie.

Friday 24 August: Genealogy Clinic. Free 30-minute one-to-one consultation with guidance on specific research problems. Host and venue: Abbeyleix Library, Market Square, Knocknamoe, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. 10am to 1pm. Need to book: T - 0578730020.

Friday 24 August: Family History Curiosities, an illustrated talk on the strange and interesting discoveries made during Irish family history research. Host and venue: Mallow Library, Thomas Davis St., Mallow, Co. Cork. 2pm to 3pm. Admission Free. Booking necessary. Tel: 022 21821, Email: mallow.library@corkcoco.ie

Friday 24 August: Creating your family history, and re-launch of the Ballinacree Historical Society website. Host: Ballinacree Historical Society. Venue: Ballinacree Community Centre, Ballinacree, Co. Meath. Free. 8:30pm - 10:30pm. Details.

Saturday 25 August: Family history research. Host and venue: Genealogical Society of Ireland, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Drive, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin. Volunteer members of the GSI will advise and assist visitors on researching their family history. 10am to 5pm. Free. More info - T: 0872486878, E: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com.

Saturday 25 August: Researching your Irish family history, a talk and exhibition. Host and venue: Midleton Library, 81 Main St, Midleton, Co. Cork. All welcome. Free. No need to book. 12pm to 1pm.

Saturday 11 August 2018

Ancestry DNA Summer Sale: 40% off in USA

http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5737308-13419724
AncestryDNA's Summer Sale brings a whopping 40% discount on the company's dna test.

As far as I can tell, this sale offer can be taken up only by residents of the USA. (I'll update this blogpost if I find a summer offer being made available in other Ancestry territories. See below.)

The sale price of US$59 (down from $99) excludes taxes and shipping.

To take advantage of the discount offer, order your kit before 11:59pm on Monday 20 August.

UPDATE
, 13 August: 25% discount offer for researchers in Ireland and UK.

MyHeritage DNA Summer Sale

https://www.myheritage.com/dna
MyHeritageDNA is running a sale in Ireland, the UK and the USA. (There may be offers in other parts of the world, too, but I can't find access details of them as I can't by-pass the geo locators, grrrr!)

The price of the MyHeritage DNA testing kit is €69 | £69 | US$69, reduced from €75 | £75 | US$75, respectively.

In each case, shipping is free if you order two or more kits.

The sale offer runs until Monday 20 August.

Wednesday 8 August 2018

Irish Genealogy Matters newsletter: new issue out now

http://www.rootsireland.ie/2018/08/irish-genealogy-matters-newsletter-no-2/The Irish Family History Foundation, the organisation which manages the network of heritage centres across the island and runs the RootsIreland.ie database, has published the second edition of its newsletter, Irish Genealogy Matters.

The 5-page newsletter aims to keep Irish family historians up-to-date with the latest developments on RootsIreland and provide news from its IFHF-member centres.

In this issue, as well as summarising recent additions to the database (all of which were noted on IrishGenealogyNews), the newsletter brings news and details of events from the Sligo, East Galway, North Mayo, North Dublin, Cavan, Kilkenny, Limerick Heritage Centres and the Ulster Historical Foundation (Antrim and Down).

It also tells us that the following records will be joining the website soon:
  • Civil records from Co. Sligo
  • Baptism, marriage and burial records from Camolin parish, Co. Wexford
  • Graveyard inscriptions from Dublin
  • Baptism, marriage, death, workhouse records and more from Co. Offaly

Click the image above to visit RootsIreland and download your copy of Irish Genealogy Matters.

Living DNA offers 10% discount throughout August

Living DNA is offering all family historians a 10% discount on the company's widely-acclaimed DNA test if they order the kit during the month of August.

It seems that, even before this month's offer, the test supplier has recently reduced the regular price of its kits; only a few months ago the standard prices were €159 | US$159 | £120 | A$ & NZ$199.

This across the board price reduction may have something to do with the recent announcement of a partnership between LivingDNA and FindMyPast (see blogpost), which will gear up later in the year. Prices of the kit bought through FindMyPast.co.uk and FindMyPast.com also reflect the recent drop in prices and this month's discount.

To purchase at the discounted price, order your kit by selecting your preferred currency/flag below on or by 31 August:

http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-5737308-12899160
€10 off. Price reduced from €99 to €89.


http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5737308-12758007
£10 off. Price reduced from £99 to £89.


http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-5737308-13006940
US$10 off. Price reduced from US$99 to US$89.


http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-5737308-12755175
CA$16 off. Price reduced from C$159 to C$143.


http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-5737308-12755174
10% off. Price reduced from A$/NZ$149 to A$/NZ$134.10.

Tuesday 7 August 2018

New study to examine the food our Irish ancestors ate

A new five year project, led by Tipperary-born Dr Susan Flavin of Anglia Ruskin University, has received €1.5million funding to examine Ireland’s food culture in the 16th and 17th century.

Written records of consumption in this period tend to focus on the island's wealty households and offer few details of the average diet. The project team will therefore include archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, isotope and organic residue analysis experts, who will test pottery and bone to build a detailed picture of what was eaten, where, why and by whom, and its likely effects at an individual level. A database will also be developed to map the archaeological and dietary evidence across different regions of Ireland and different social contexts.

This level of detail into what was on the menu before the Famine has not been attempted before.

The 16th and 17th centuries witnessed significant changes in the Irish diet, with the introduction of new foreign foods to the dining tables of the elite.

Dr Flavin, Senior Lecturer in History at Anglia Ruskin University and author of Consumption and Culture in Sixteenth-Century Ireland, said: “Ireland presents a unique case study for understanding the dynamic role of food and drink in a society undergoing political and cultural change.

“There is a perception that Ireland remained isolated from the major dietary changes that occurred across early modern Europe, but my research suggests a much more complex and integrated picture.

“Trade was booming in 16th-century Ireland, there was colonisation and immigration from England, Scotland, Wales, France and the Netherlands, and there is evidence that certain global tastes filtered into the country.

“Foreign luxuries such as sugar, turkeys, pineapples and artichokes found their way into the homes of the elite. We also know that at the lower levels of society the European fashion for hopped beer, and with it continental drinking rituals, was embraced by both men and women. At the same time, new ways of ‘civilised’ eating and drinking were accepted, even among some in the lower classes of society.”

The €1.5million funding comes from a European Research Council Starting Grant, designed to support 'outstanding researchers' lead ambitious projects. Dr Flavin will be supported by academics from University College Dublin, the Institute of Technology Sligo, Durham University and the University of Bristol.

You can read a short 2017 Belfast Telegraph report into Dr Flavin's research into the important role of beer in 16th-century Ireland here.

Monday 6 August 2018

Ancestry UK offers free access to 30m military records

To mark the centenary of World War One, Ancestry.co.uk is offering free access to more than 30million military records over the next three days.

http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-5737308-10819001?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ancestry.co.uk%2Fcs%2Ffree-accessAmong the record sets featuring in the free access collection are British, Canadian, South African and Anzac records including British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920; UK Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949; Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939; and UK Shipping and Seamen WWI and WWII Rolls of Honour, 1914-1945.

Obviously, there are a lot of Irish service personnel to be found in these military sets, but there are also the following three specifically Irish collections to be checked out:

Ireland, Casualties of World War I, 1914-1922
Ireland, Royal Irish Constabulary Pensions, 1873-1925
Ireland, Royal Hospital Kilmainham Pensioner Discharge Documents, 1724-1924

See the full list of military collections featured in the free access promotion here.

Free access to the featured collection will run until 23:59pm on Thursday 9 August.

Click the image above to start searching. To view the records you'll need to have a free registered account. If you don't already have one, you will need to register with your name and email address; Ancestry will then send you a username and password to access the collection.

IGRS launches 1799 census of Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary

The Irish Genealogical Research Society is launching a new online database: a census – or statistical survey – of the County Tipperary town of Carrick-on-Suir. It was compiled in 1799 and notes vital biographical details about the town’s entire population; people from all walks of life, both Catholic and Protestant, numbering just under 11,000.

Nick Reddan FIGRS created the database
The census was compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel William Morton Pitt of the Dorset Militia, a member of parliament at Westminster who represented Dorset constituencies from 1780 to 1826. Pitt was assisted in compiling the census by local men Francis White and Patrick Lynch.

Its purpose isn’t clear, but it seems likely to be connected with Pitt’s unsuccessful attempt to gain preferment as a commissioner of the Irish union from his relative and namesake, William Pitt, the Prime Minister.

The original manuscript is now held by the British Library, London. Arranged by street, it comprises data on 1,738 homes and 10,907 individuals.

Australia-based Nick Reddan, a Fellow of the Society and its webmaster, transcribed the manuscript and created the database, which records the names of inhabitants, their sex, age, occupation, religion, address and marital status. To view a sample entry, click the image below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hG31hqcPPLGzJp17rZgvzXNxXJf7r9P/view?usp=sharing
A sample from the 1799 census. Click image for enlarged view

Launching the new resource, IGRS chairman Steven Smyrl said: "Gems like the 1799 census substitute for the town of Carrick-on-Suir are rarities that need to be carefully preserved and given the widest possible public exposure. Pitt’s manuscript is unusual for being so extensive and this has proved to be the reason it has taken until now to put it in the public domain.

“Nick Reddan’s careful work in transcribing this material has ensured it will now, finally, be easily accessible online to answer queries regarding the lives of the people of Carrick-on-Suir living over 200 years ago.”

The Society acknowledges with thanks the kind permission of the British Library to publish the data contained in the Pitt manuscript.

Search the database here:

Full Database – Members only.
Surname Count – Free to all.