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A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Your Long-Lost Irish Family Roots

Tracing ancestry in Ireland is very complicated because most of the ancestors migrated to many different places during the civil war. Moreover, most public records were also burnt during the war. However, it’s still possible to find your lost Irish family roots. This article will explain some of the ways you can trace your Irish ancestry.

A heritage site in Ireland.

 

Layout Your Goals

Before you start your search for family roots, decide where to start your research and how you’re going to complete it. Remember that where you start is always a topic of debate for genealogists, but there are some things that almost all will agree on.

 

Learn From Your Parents

If you don’t have a family tree already, then this is the perfect place for you to start! Ask your parents or other elderly relatives about their lineage and other important details. Ask them about the people they know that may be related to you or for information about any ancestors that you may not know about. Ask them if they know any ancestors who may have migrated to some other country.

Visit a Genealogical Library

A genealogical library is a place where you can probably find all of the documents and records that can help you trace your ancestors.In fact, in some libraries, you can even get a membership, and it isn’t too expensive either. You can go back and use the library’s computers or files and view all of your family histories online. In some libraries, a researcher or librarian can also help you find any specific documents that you might be looking for.

 

Join a Local or National Genealogical Society

Over the past few years, many people have become passionate about genealogy and have developed their societies or groups. These groups are great because they offer genealogy classes, and help you explore the history and culture of your ancestors.

 

Hire a Genealogy Researcher

Hiring a genealogy researcher can also help you find all the necessary information relevant to your ancestry. If you’re confused, they can guide you where to look for the stuff that you’re looking for and how to obtain the desired details of your heritage. Some researchers may even accompany you on genealogy tours to heritage sites where your ancestors may have lived once.

 

Find Online Repositories

Using free websites can help you save time and improve your research, especially if you know how to use them effectively.

 

DNA Tests

Many people are turning to this method to learn to about their ancestry. A DNA sample is sufficient to find out about your ancestors and trace them. When used together with other methods of genealogical research, DNA tests can produce highly accurate results.

For accurate results, it’s best that you hire a professional genealogy research service. If you’re in Ireland and wish to learn more about your Irish roots, hiring a professional genealogist can help. At My Ireland Family Heritage, you can find professional help for your Irish genealogy research. The company also offers Irish ancestry and genealogy tours. Get in touch with them to find out more.

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Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser Oct 2024 By • Family TomBarron2013 New York City, NY2

Once in a lifetime experience

Oct 2024 • Family

We highly recommend My Ireland Heritage for anyone who wants to learn and be guided to their Irish “roots” and much, much more. Sean Quinn and Ian Darragh of My Ireland Family Heritage have deep knowledge or the areas we wanted to visit in Meath, Sligo and Kilkenny. While we knew about one side of the family history back to 1690, there was nothing known about the other that arrived in the US in the 1870s.

Ian, Sean, and Nicola did thorough research on our localities and locations from which our ancestors left for America in 1849 and later. In addition, Ian and Sean did separate day-long “recons” in advance of our time with them, seeking out local people and the specific properties with maps and whatever records still available. Their results were absolutely outstanding! In both our cases, they found and took us to our still-existing cottages and shops from the early 1820s.

It was so enjoyable to be with Ian for three days and for a special day with Sean. Whether it was the Newgrange World Heritage sites 5,500 years old , the Battle of the Boyne 1690 , or the local cemeteries and churches of our ancestors. Ian was especially attentive to my wife throughout the travels after she twisted her ankle in a rain-soaked old cemetery.

Throughout the process of trip preparation over months to giving us the final, wonderful books of Meath and Sligo, Aisling was highly professional and responsive with all the many details. The bound books she prepared are treasures! Thanks to all for truly exceptional experiences.

Newgrange World Unesco Site 5500 years old
Battle of the Boyne 1690 AD
Customised Historical Tours Trim Castle
Entrance stone at Newgrange

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Review of My Ireland Heritage Tours Presented on Trip adviser by Shelley L @ sjlively

Exceptional in every way!

Over the last few months of preparing for our trip, every single detail was meticulously attended, not only professionally, but helpfully, and in such a friendly manner, that I felt as if I knew Sean, Aisling and Ian before I even stepped off the plane.

The amount of work these wonderful people put into our personal history is mindboggling. My mother was an avid amateur genealogist, and had worked for decades to bring to light the trail our family took, but our resources are limited.

Sean knows exactly where to look, and was able to fill in so many gaps that had eluded us for generations. Some of the information he found, unbeknownst even to him, actually solidified the findings we had amassed over the years. Ours was a family in coal mining – I only found on our tour that they had originated from a mining area, and their arrival on the  border coincided exactly with the decline in the mining industry in County Wicklow.

I would have been overjoyed simply with the knowledge of why they left when they did, about 12 years before the famine. Breaking through our brick wall of great grandparents even farther back on the family tree was a dream come true, but to be able to set foot on not only the area they lived, and find that the house is still there was overwhelming. Seeing the family church and cemetery where our ancestors and extended family still rest is a truly moving experience.

The care taken by this company in each and every aspect of the journey cannot be overstated. Only about 2 weeks prior to my trip, Sean contacted me to let me know that he had also stumbled across some of my husband’s family name in the process and included them as well in his research. How often can anyone say that they not only got what they paid for, but more than they ever imagined? I can say that. They were even kind enough to answer a few follow-up questions after my return home, as I was so stunned on my tour with Ian that I didn’t think ask at the time.If you have the opportunity to make the trip to Ireland, contact My Ireland Family Heritage before you go.

If your family was there, Sean will go above and beyond to find them. Even without family, contact them anyway. Ian is a walking encyclopedia of history, and so fun to talk to. Aisling will make sure every “I” is dotted, and every “T” is crossed.  Thank you so much for the trip of a lifetime, and the opportunity to pass on everything we have discovered to future generations

The Consultation at Hotel / Office or by Phone opens all doors
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