Are you beginning to trace your Irish ancestry but are overwhelmed or don't know where to start? My guest, genealogist and historian Declan Brady from the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin has tips to help you!
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Finding Your Irish Roots
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Recorded live at the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin
(1:20) The Irish Family History Centre
Located in the CHQ building and part of the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum
Declan Brady is a genealogy consultant and historian at the Irish Family History Centre
For a nominal fee you can have access to all online paid services including Find My Past, Ancestry, Roots Ireland, all the government sites, and Family Search.
Private consultations are also offered in 30 and 60 minute blocks on site and via Skype.
(5:30) What to Bring to a Genealogy Consultation
Bring whatever information you have. But if you don't have any information the history detectives can still help you.
Never bring original documents- only copies!
(7:40) Tips Tracing Your Ancestors
Be very careful of second hand information – especially if there is no documentation to back it up!
Ireland has records that are fairly unique including Griffith's Valuation land records which capture 85-90% of all occupants in Ireland.
Landlord estate records are also highly valuable.
Widen your focus to find your ancestor. Marriage, death, and land records all have clues.
Identify an area and dig in!
(22:30) The Biggest Misconceptions About Finding Your Irish Ancestry
While a lot of records were lost, not everything is gone. There are many census substitutes.
If it's not online it doesn't exist. Not true! If it's not online it just hasn't been found or shared yet!
People lied about their age. Maybe not! They may never have known!
(26:30) Top Genealogy Tips
Write things out on paper instead of typing it into a web template. It's easier to find mistakes (especially dates!)
