| Schedule | Recorded Presentations & Videos | Instructor Bios |
Thank you for registering for the online course, Researching Irish Ancestors!
Today, more than 35 million Americans claim Irish ancestry—more than seven times the size of the population of Ireland itself! But tracing one’s Irish roots is not without its challenges. Common names, loss of records, and elusive parish origins are just some of the obstacles facing family historians. Led by the Irish experts at American Ancestors, this five-week course will provide you with tips, tools, resources, and strategies for making progress in your research. Topics include: immigration and settlement patterns to the U.S. and Canada; identifying your ancestor’s exact origins; a survey of online, published, and original Irish records; planning a research trip to Ireland; and techniques for breaking down brick walls.
This course includes five 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth q&a sessions with the instructors.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Return to this page often for additional resources!
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 3/7/2018, 6:00 eastern time | Class #1: Irish Immigration to America Instructor: Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist The Irish have been emigrating to America for more than 300 years. By understanding this history of movement and migration, you may be able to discern the motivations of your own ancestors. Learn about the many waves of immigration to the east coast and Atlantic provinces: where they came from, where they settled, and where they migrated to. |
| Video of Class #1 | 3/8/2018 and after | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 3/14/2018, 6:00 eastern time |
Class #2: Discovering Irish Origins: Using American Resources and Records |
| Video of Class #2 | 3/15/2018 and after | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 3/21/2018, 6:00 eastern time |
Class #3: Survey of Irish Records Online Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | 3/22/2018 and after | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #4 | ||
| Class #4: Online presentation (live!) | 3/28/2018, 6:00 eastern time |
Class #4: Researching in Ireland Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #4 | 3/29/2018 and after | Watch the fourth class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #5 | ||
| Class #5: Online presentation (live!) | 4/4/2018, 6:00 eastern time |
Class #5: Breaking Down Genealogical Brick Walls in Irish Research Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #5 | 4/5/2018 and after | Watch the fifth class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS & VIDEOS
Class 1: Irish Immigration to America
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Running Time: 1:36:52
Live Broadcast: March 7, 2018
The Irish have been emigrating to America for more than 300 years. By understanding this history of movement and migration, you may be able to discern the motivations of your own ancestors. Learn about the many waves of immigration to the east coast and Atlantic provinces: where they came from, where they settled, and where they migrated to.
Class 2: Discovering Irish Origins: Using American Resources and Records
Presented by: Eileen Pironti
Running Time: 1:27:34
Live Broadcast: March 14, 2018
Before you can move forward in Irish family history research, you must first learn where exactly in Ireland your ancestors hailed from: not just the county, but townland and parish. Often times, you will find this essential information in records created on this side of the Atlantic. Learn what resources exist and how to access the materials without crossing the pond.
Class 3: Survey of Irish Records Online
Presented by: Jean Maguire
Running Time: 1:44:04
Live Broadcast: March 21, 2018
Recent years have brought exciting and rapid developments in the availability of Irish records online. As a result, some methods of Irish genealogical research have changed from what we used just two or three years ago. In this class, we will look at Irish records on a variety of government, non-profit, and commercial websites. We will go over the types of records available, where you can find them, how to search them, and how to stay up-to-date in this ever-changing landscape.
Class 4: Researching in Ireland
Presented by: Judy Lucey
Running Time: 1:31:59
Live Broadcast: March 28, 2018
You’ve learned where in Ireland your family is from, you’ve exhausted the resources online, and now you’re ready to travel to your ancestral homeland. Learn how to plan for your journey and research in Ireland—from visiting repositories to meeting with distant relatives—and making your visit the experience of a lifetime.
Class 5: Breaking Down Genealogical Brick Walls in Irish Research
Presented by: Sheilagh Doerfler
Running Time: 1:37:52
Live Broadcast: April 4, 2018
Irish research is replete with genealogical pitfalls: common names, a lack of records, elusive origins, and more. Learn practical research strategies for broadening your scope and discerning new connections in your family tree.
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Sheilagh Doerfler, Senior Researcher Sheilagh received her B.A. in History and Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Her research interests include New England, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Westward Migration, and adoptions.
Judy Lucey, Archivist Judy joined the American Ancestors staff in 2003. Co-author of Genealogist's Handbook for Irish Research, she received a B.S. in Education from Northeastern University and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Her genealogical interests include Irish genealogy, Newfoundland, 19th and 20th century genealogy, Beginning genealogy, Italian genealogy, and the history of Cambridge and Somerville, Mass.
Jean Maguire, Library Director Jean is responsible for overseeing the Society’s library and special collections, including patron services; collection development, access, and preservation; and the Society’s volunteer program. Jean joined the American Ancestors staff in 1999 after receiving her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons College.
Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist Rhonda is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer specializing in New England and celebrity research as well as computerized genealogy. She is compiler of more than 120 celebrity family trees; has been a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biographymagazine, and was a contributor to The History Channel Magazine and American History Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is the author of ten books, including the award-winning The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, now in its second edition, Finding Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors, and Digitizing Your Family History. Her areas of expertise include, immigration and naturalization, late 19th and early 20th century urban research, missionaries (primarily in association with the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions), State Department Federal Records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software (FTM, RootsMagic, TMG, Reunion), digital peripherals, and uses both Mac and Windows machines.
Eileen Pironti, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press Eileen graduated with a B.A. from Saint Anselm College and received an M.S. from American University. Eileen's areas of expertise include Irish, Scottish, and 19th century New England research.
COURSE HANDOUTS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
Class 4 Handout
Class 4 Slides Worksheet
Class 4 Slides (large)
Class 5 Handout
Class 5 Slides Worksheet
Class 5 Slides (large)