FHIG (Genealogy) eNewsletter 
June 2014
Table of Contents
Next FHIG (and MAGS) meeting- Tuesday, June 24
Sincere thanks to all from MAGS and FHIG who have  contributed towards Joe Buggy's speaker's fee.It's not too late - let me know if you need instructions.
Group and Meeting Specifics
Special Appreciation to Those . . .
From the May Meeting and more . . .
Upcoming FHIG Meetings
Finding Your Irish Ancestors in New York City

Get more information about and from Joseph Buggy, our presenter, at his Townland of Origin website, or follow him on Twitter: @townlandorigin

Read Joe's monthly column in the Irish Lives Remembered genealogy magazine.  

He's also a Research Associate at the Irish Ancestry Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland.

You might get acquainted with Joe by watching a video he made a while back for About.com on How to Uncover Irish Genealogy with Surnames.  Enjoy!
   
   Welcome to the June newsletter for the Family History Interest Group (FHIG) at Bernards Township Library. 
In it you'll find information about upcoming and past FHIG meetings, news and notes about related topics, and ideas and encouragement for your own genealogy searches.  

   So looking forward to having you help me greet Joe Buggy at our June 24 meeting.  See you then!

                                                     Ruth L
Next FHIG (and MAGS) meeting
- Tuesday, June 24

Washington, D.C. based professional genealogist and writer Joseph Buggy, author of Finding Your Irish Ancestors in New York City will present 

"Finding Your Townland of Origin:
Genealogical Research in the U.S. and Ireland"


(Special joint meeting of FHIG and MAGS members
and interested visitors)

The millions of Irish who came to the United States in the 19th century did not make it easy for their descendants to identify just where they came from in Ireland. Finding their townland of origin is a foundational aim of anyone with Irish ancestry.
If all you've found was "from Ireland" as you combed through
the census, searched vital records, wrote away for
Church records, and scrutinized city directories,
Joe
’s talk will provide guidance. 
If you haven’t started yet because you heard it was so hard,
he’ll provide inspiration and ideas. 
If you don’t have Irish ancestors, come anyway and
learn about the trials and triumphs
of other people’s research!

Firstly, Joe will focus on Irish genealogical research in America. Relevant strategies for breaking through brick walls will be discussed in detail. This will be coupled with records and source where you can find the Irish place of origin.
Then the focus switches to Ireland, with a explanation of
the main genealogy record sets: civil registration, parish registers, tax records, censuses, and criminal/legal records.  
This important focus on the past will be coupled with
current developments in Irish genealogy, in the shape of
the best books, blogs, and websites.


Originally from Ireland, Joe runs the Townland of Origin website,
is the author of Finding Your Irish Ancestors in New York City,
and writes a monthly column in the Irish genealogy
magazine Irish Lives Remembered.
 
Townland of Origin focuses on Irish genealogical research
in North America. The website contains a regularly updated blog with posts that will help people find their ancestors place of origin in Ireland. There is a section with the most complete listing of Irish genealogy groups and societies in the U.S and Canada. Through his website he also provides consultations for those that need more help with their family history research.
 
Finding Your Irish Ancestors in New York City is 
the first book on the topic and has received widespread
industry praise from experts such as Claire Santry (Irish
Genealogy News
blog) and John Grenham (author of Tracing
Your Irish Ancestors
, the 'bible' of Irish genealogy).
Sources, methodologies, and records are outlined in detail, including a listing of the almost 400 Catholic parishes that have existed in the five boroughs, along with where you can find
the Irish place of origin for over 160,000 19th century immigrants.
 
Joe writes about genealogy research in the U.S. in his bi-monthly column in the Irish Lives Remembered genealogy magazine. In each publication he focuses on a different state and what resources are available to help those with Irish ancestry.
 
When not writing, Joe is an active speaker and researcher.
He has given many talks in the New York City metropolitan area over the last few years for organizations such as
the New York Public Library and the New York
Genealogical and Biographical Society.
In 2011 he was chosen to give the 20th anniversary lecture
for the Long Island based Irish Family History Forum. 
He is also a research associate at the Irish Ancestry
Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland.

We are so fortunate to have him coming to this
joint FHIG and MAGS meeting.  
Please come and meet Joe and learn some valuable techniques
for finding out more of your family story.
 

Sincere thanks to all from MAGS and FHIG who have  contributed towards Joe Buggy's speaker's fee.
It's not too late - let me know if you need instructions.

 
Group and Meeting Specifics

   The Family History Interest Group (FHIG) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except December from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Program Room on the lower level at Bernards Township Library. 

   Coffee (and cookies or snacks if participants bring them!) is served at 6:30 pm and participants are invited to socialize.  Our coffee and tea arrangements are $elf $upporting -- If you enjoy a cup please consider dropping a quarter or two in the basket provided. 

   FHIG meetings are FREE and all are welcome, whether they have been previously involved in family history research or not.  No prior experience in tracing genealogical roots is necessary.  The Group provides opportunities for those interested in family history and genealogy to share information and experiences and be more successful in their search.  
    
   For more information please call the Library at 908.204.3031, ext.4 or email  RLufkin@Bernards.org 
 
Special Appreciation to Those . . .

. . . who bring along cookies or other goodies to share and those who assist in setting up and clearing away at our meetings. Stephanie is very frequently in the kitchen, and I always smile to see others as well. Your contribution at that time is particularly helpful as it allows me to wrap things up with the presenter and/or other participants and not face the cleanup alone afterwards, and IS noticed and valued, even when I don't say Thank You in person or in public.  We relax and enjoy learning with new and old friends with something to nibble on and our coffee or tea.  
 
From the May Meeting and more . . .

   Those who attended our May meeting experienced a great treat as Judy Russell made the complex side of a sophisticated topic readily understandable.  I know I came away with a much better understanding and think everyone who was there will have a new appreciation when they next read or hear something on DNA. 

   Special thanks to Russ for introducing us to Judy.  I'm grateful to to all of you who let me know you "Enjoyed the speaker very much." and similar positive comments. 
 
Upcoming FHIG Meetings

Join us at FHIG meetings on July 22, August 26; September 23; October 28; and November 25.    

No FHIG meeting in December! 
 
Bernards Township Library
32 South Maple Ave.
Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
908-204-3031

http://www.BernardsLibrary.org