Many family historians in Ireland have started to record their family history with an Irish Genealogy website, organization, or searchable database. A number of these families are researching their history and compiling family trees, looking for ancestors who were living in ancient times or the late 1700s and early 1800s. If you wish to get closer to your heritage and learn more about your ancestors, there are many interesting things that you can do. Let’s find them out here.

Heritage in Ireland

Ireland has a history so rich and colorful that it’s almost impossible to imagine everything that has happened there. Thousands of years of history as well as countless unique stories have been passed down from generation to generation. When you think about your Irish heritage, where do you start? You might immediately think back to your grandparents who came from Ireland or the distant ancestor who led the charge against one of Napoleon’s armies in 1803. But are these really all your Irish roots?

Before you answer this question, consider just how little we know about our own family tree. Location trumps dates, names, and even blood ties — and some people still have no idea whatsoever where their ancestors hail from. It’s probably because many of our ancestors migrated to different parts of the world and we still don’t know about it. However, there’s still a lot that we can do to feel close to our heritage and learn about our ancestors. Let’s find out here.

Visit Your Churches

Religion has been an important part of Irish history, and it’s very likely that your ancestors used to regularly visit the church. If there are any old churches in the region, try to visit them and ask them if they have any records available.

Research Your Ancestors’ Schools

If you are interested in learning more about your ancestors, look into schools or colleges in your area that have been there for centuries. Visit the local elementary school or university to see if anyone you’re looking for was a student there. If it’s a college, it’s worth checking out the alumni registrar to see if there were any notable alumni from that institution.

Travel the Old Family Roads

If you’re lucky enough to have relatives who live in Ireland, ask them if they could take you to the old family roads and show you where their parents grew up. Traveling through these roads can help you explore your ancestors’ history and try to associate with it.

Check out Old Burial Grounds

Check out the local cemeteries and see if there are any old headstones that contain your ancestors’ names. If your ancestors were buried after the 1920s, look for their certificates and read through them for as much information as possible about your ancestors.

Research the Countries and States Where They Migrated

Research the countries and states where your ancestors lived. It is a good idea to learn about your country’s national history, but you can also find out about the history of the places where your ancestors lived. Think about how that place has changed since your ancestor’s time and imagine who they were and what their lives were like.

Volunteer

Volunteer at places that were once frequented by your ancestors and are now seen as historical sites or attractions. Whether in museums, historic buildings, schools, parks, etc., you can still make an impact by spending time there. If possible, you can also contribute to building some old heritage sites where they lived.

Genealogical Services

Above everything else, you can benefit from a genealogical research company as well to find out more about the heritage of your ancestors. These companies can help you with finding public records as well as DNA testing and heritage tours. 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.