Why Family History and Ancestry Matters

Genealogy, census records, and birth dates are just the tip of the iceberg regarding the value of family history. Ancestry research can help us rise to the challenges we face in the here and now by helping us better understand who we are. It also encourages us to plant even deeper roots for future generations.

Here’s why genealogy research matters:

Makes you more resilient

Learning about our roots strengthens us emotionally and mentally. The stories of our forebears can teach us valuable lessons in dealing with adversity and setbacks. Their experiences are a reminder that not everything in life goes as planned. Life will sometimes feel unfair, and we’ll face disappointment, but we will eventually rise above it all and live fulfilling lives.

Improves our relationships with others

Learning about our family’s past helps us understand our ancestors’ hardships. We gain a deeper appreciation and forgiveness for their human flaws. And this compassion carries over into our interactions with the living, both within and beyond our immediate social circles. By considering the faults of others, we can all improve as professionals, partners, parents, siblings, and human beings.

A pair of older women looking at a photo.

We gain a sense of belonging

As we start tracing our roots, we gain insight into how past events have played out on an individual and social level. There is more to learn than just the dates and names on the family tree. Your ancestry highlights your uniqueness. You learn about your relatives and loved ones whom you can count on. Your family tree tells stories of real people who experienced joy and sorrow, success and failure. It gives you a sense of belonging and identity among people that you can call your own.

Better decision-making

Members of the same family tend to share genetic traits, cultural norms, and behavioral patterns. These factors help you identify possible hereditary illnesses. Ancestry research also helps healthcare providers learn more about your risk of getting a disease or disorder by looking at your family history of that disease or problem.

Curious about your family history?

Our team of expert genealogists and tour guides at My Ireland Family Heritage can help you dive deep into your family history. If you’re interested in tracing your Irish roots,  we can arrange an Irish ancestry tour in Ireland where you can explore your ancestry. Once we find out where your ancestors lived, we will take you on a family history tour to that location!

Get in touch with us to learn more about our heritage tours in Ireland.

 

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Customised Genealogy & Historical Tour

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

Self Drive Product

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
Genealogy gets you off the Beaten Track to see the Real Ireland

Unique to Every Address with My Ireland Family Research