This lecture introduces the participant to the challenges and joys of researching one’s Irish ancestors. Major sources of information as well as strategies for tracking elusive ancestors are presented. Throughout the lecture examples illustrate the principles of genealogical research including learning all you can about your immigrant ancestor.
This lecture, suitable for beginners in Irish research, starts by having the Family Historian clarify what is being looked for and creating a plan for research. Next, an overview of Irish records is presented, followed by an identification of “Go-To” resources.
With the influx of immigrants to America in the 20th century, many immigrant aid societies were created to assist new arrivals with job placement, medical support, finding lost family, and generally get them acclimated to life in America. Some of these organizations include Traveler’s Aid Society, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Charitable Irish Society of Boston, the Irish Emigrant Society of New York, St. Raphael’s Society, and many others. The records and case files kept by each society can offer a detailed look into the life of your ancestor. This session will provide a brief history of the immigrant aid society movement in America, how they operated, what information can be found in records, and how to locate them.
Beyond the all-important passenger list, immigration to America resulted in the creation of several other records. This presentation will demonstrate how to utilize several records, including: passports (both those from the origin nation and those later applied for by naturalized US citizens), border crossings, C-Files (naturalization certificates, 1906-1956), AR-2 Files (Alien Registration Forms, 1940-1944), WWI Alien Registrations (1918, gathered by each state), Visa Files (1924-1944), A-Files (1944-1951), and the Arolsen Archive database, which documents European refugee arrivals following Nazi persecution.
Passenger arrival records, border crossings, passport applications, and records of special inquiry are just some of the types of immigration and naturalization records available at the National Archives. We will provide an overview of these important resources, how to access them, and how to make the most of them in your family history research.
Centuries of Irish history were lost as a result of the Four Courts Fire in Dublin in 1922. We will delve into the history leading up to the battle at the Four Courts, discuss the records that were housed in the Public Records Office, and explain why their destruction has made researching in Ireland so difficult. The lecture will also include record alternatives, what survived, records in other repositories and an initiative to recreate a virtual Public Records Office.
The website of the National Archives and Records Administration (Archives.gov) is your at-home portal to a myriad of records. This lecture will demonstrate how to navigate the online catalog, access or request records from home, and, because not everything is online, discuss tips for planning a research trip. We will also discuss the difference between the National Archives in Washington, DC and the regional branches found across the country.
Ireland has a unique and rather confusing system of land divisions, all of which need to be known and understood to effectively and accurately look for your ancestors.
With your ancestor’s origins in hand, it’s time to start looking at records in the Old Country. In this lecture we will review what types of records exist, how to use them in your research, and how to access them. We will pay special attention to resources that can be accessed from home, online.
Scottish census and census substitutes can provide important details about the immediate family of your ancestors. This lecture reviews what censuses exist, what information they provide, and where to access both transcriptions and digitized images.
