Irish Genealogy Resources
This month, around St. Patrick’s Day, individuals may become curious about the potential for Irish heritage in their ancestry.
The most important point is to have a good foundation of sound genealogy research on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Internet genealogy database information can be very broad, so personal investigation of resources is needed to evaluate the thousands of potential search results. When people share family trees, one should always approach it with healthy skepticism. How does a family genealogy or family pedigree hold up under close inspection? Does the researcher tell how and where he or she discovered the information he/she is sharing? Good research rests upon credible source citation.
The following book titles are some resources patrons can use in the Tennessee Room during their exploration of Irish heritage.
The most important point is to have a good foundation of sound genealogy research on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Internet genealogy database information can be very broad, so personal investigation of resources is needed to evaluate the thousands of potential search results. When people share family trees, one should always approach it with healthy skepticism. How does a family genealogy or family pedigree hold up under close inspection? Does the researcher tell how and where he or she discovered the information he/she is sharing? Good research rests upon credible source citation.
The following book titles are some resources patrons can use in the Tennessee Room during their exploration of Irish heritage.
Written in 1906, Rev. Patrick Woulfe’s book is a classic book on Irish name origins.
Another indispensable work is Irish Settlers in America by Michael J. O’Brien. The two volume set is a reprint of articles from The Journal of the American Irish Historical Society. These volumes discuss record types as well as Irish populations by geographical location and time frame.
Volume II includes land grants, colonial emigration, and investigation of records pertaining to service in the American Revolution.
More localized is Patricia K. Jones’ book Across the Ocean of Promise: the Irish of Western Tennessee. Jones looked at the U.S. census records of 1850-1900 and extracted the names of individuals who stated on the census they were born in Ireland. Patricia Jones consulted other sources, including special censuses and scholarly articles reporting Irish immigration into Tennessee locations.
One great value of Jones' 820-page book is the author’s notes on Ireland research. She also provides warnings for “deep pits” of confusion over vague or identical listings in Irish records.
Immigration genealogy is definitely not for the faint of heart! Discovery of sound evidence through Irish genealogy research is as rewarding as a pot of gold.
Volume II includes land grants, colonial emigration, and investigation of records pertaining to service in the American Revolution.
More localized is Patricia K. Jones’ book Across the Ocean of Promise: the Irish of Western Tennessee. Jones looked at the U.S. census records of 1850-1900 and extracted the names of individuals who stated on the census they were born in Ireland. Patricia Jones consulted other sources, including special censuses and scholarly articles reporting Irish immigration into Tennessee locations.
One great value of Jones' 820-page book is the author’s notes on Ireland research. She also provides warnings for “deep pits” of confusion over vague or identical listings in Irish records.
Immigration genealogy is definitely not for the faint of heart! Discovery of sound evidence through Irish genealogy research is as rewarding as a pot of gold.
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New Books Added in the Tennessee RoomThe Obituary Index and the People Behind ItRemembering Robert D. TaylorBig Maybelle State Historical MarkerA Memorable FriendMore Than Names on a WallJackson & Madison County Book on Sale for Reduced PriceMr. A.M. Pounds and his 90th BirthdayMarathon Motor WorksAtlas of the Transatlantic Slave TradeThe Tigretts of West TennesseeHardin County Blue and Gray
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