Paul Gorry elected a Fellow of Accredited Genealogists Ireland

Professional genealogist Paul Gorry has been elected a Fellow of Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI), the accrediting and representative body for professional genealogists in Ireland set up in 1986.

Paul Gorry, FAGI

Paul's career in professional genealogy began aged 19 in 1979 when he became a freelance genealogist attached to the Genealogical Office, then based in Dublin Castle. With a number of other professional colleagues, he went on to found Hibernian Research, Ireland’s first independent Irish genealogical company, in 1980, and seven years later formed his own genealogy firm – Gorry Research – which has proved to be hugely successful.

Paul’s ability to ‘Think Big’ allowed him, in pre-Internet days, to set up the first Irish Genealogical Congress, which met in Dublin in September 1991.

It saw several hundred delegates from around the world descend on the city for six days.

On offer were more than 60 lectures exploring different aspects of Irish genealogy. Each was presented by an acknowledged expert in their field.

By anyone’s estimation it was a stunning success and so much so, it was repeated a further three times, with the last being held in September 2001.

There were many other significant achievements over the years, among them:

• Helping found the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO), and serving as its chairman in 1995/96
• Being elected a Fellow some two decaades ago of the London-based Society of Genealogists
• Being a founder Member of AGI, as well as a former President (2007-2009)
• He is a Fellow and Vice-President of the Irish Genealogical Research Society
• Being a founder member of the West Wicklow Historical Society in 1980.

Paul is also the author of many articles and several books, including:

• Tracing Irish Ancestors, with Máire Mac Conghail MAGI, published in 1997
• Baltinglass Golf Club, 1928-2003, 2003
• Baltinglass Chronicles, 1851-2001, 2006
• Seven Signatories: Tracing the Family Histories of the Men Who Signed the Proclamation, 2016
• Credentials for Genealogists:Proof of the Professional, published in 2021 and now in its second edition.

In announcing Paul’s Fellowship, President of AGI, Nicola Morris, described his more than four decades of contribution to both AGI and the wider world of Irish genealogy as one which embraces such superlatives as “outstanding, sustained, scholarly, generous, consistent, and exceptional."

She said: “He has served as Hon Secretary, Vice-President, and then President, he's run sub-committees, sat on panels, been an AGI rep at other events; he’s drafted reports, website text, news items; he’s resolved problems, and worked on new initiatives to expand the membership and/or heighten AGI’s profile. He’s been a mentor, a cheerleader, and a source of endless encouragement to many in AGI. By any measure, his Fellowship is well deserved.”

And so say all of us!

Many congratulations, Paul.