Irish Genealogy

Would you like to get down to the roots of your own Irish family tree? Here are some articles I've written that might help to get you started:

Before you can find your roots in Ireland itself, you have some work to do outside the country.  Visit this article for a list of types of information that you should gather before you take your research to the Emerald Isle.

Getting to the roots of your Irish family tree: Part 1 (here at Small-leaved Shamrock)

Found that Irish immigrant ancestor and ready to research the family's roots back in the "old country"?  Visit this article for some steps you can take to get started with your research in Ireland.

Getting to the roots of your Irish family tree: Part 2 (here at Small-leaved Shamrock)

Once you do make that breakthrough and learn the county and/or townland where your Irish ancestors originated, there are a number of strategies for beginning a successful search for family using Irish records. The records of Ireland’s Roman Catholic churches can be the best starting point and can play an important role in that search.

Seeking the Flock of St. Patrick: Researching Catholic Ancestors in Ireland (over at The Catholic Gene)

Need a genealogists' primer on the geography of Ireland? Don't know the difference between townlands and civil parishes, baronies and poor law unions?  Here's a good place to start.

Irish Geography 101 (over at A Light That Shines Again)

For more inspiration in your search for Irish family history, visit my Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, a celebration of Celtic family history, heritage and culture through collections of articles written on various blogs.

You might also enjoy listening to Geneabloggers Radio Irish Roots Edition to hear me and others celebrate Irish heritage on Thomas MacEntee's St. Patrick's Day show for 2011. This program is also downloadable as a free podcast from iTunes.