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.
