For those of you who have just started on the long journey back through your family history or have simply wondered where to start. Relax in the unique surroundings of a charming 18th Century house in Meath and let an expert panel bring Irish genealogy to life. The lively, entertaining day will make sense of the rich world of family history and bring you back to the times, traditions and customs of bygone days. This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn from internationally acclaimed experts and share with others the successes and challenges of your research.
THE PANEL
Brian Donovan is a co-founder and director of Eneclann Ltd., the award winning Trinity College Campus company. He was also instrumental in establishing both www.irishorigins.com and www.findmypast.ie. Both of these websites are major online resources for Irish genealogical records.
Since 1997 Brian has played a key role in the digitisation of Irish genealogical resources. He was the technical advisor for the landmark Trinity College project to digitise the 1641 Depositions and was also responsible for the mass digitisation project of church records for the Irish government website www.irishgenealogy.ie.
Brian is particularly interested in sixteenth century Irish history and prehistory. He is also fascinated by the genetic origins of the Irish people. He has lectured throughout Ireland and the US on history, genealogy and electronic publishing.
Fiona Fitzsimons is Research Director of Eneclann, a Trinity College campus company, that offers Irish genealogy and history research services to individual and corporate clients in Ireland and worldwide.
Since 1997 Fiona and her team have completed over 15,000 individual commissions, ranging from private family history to media research for television and film. Research credits include the Irish, U.K. and Australian series of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, RTÉ’s ‘Ancestors During the Famine’; and for PBS ‘Faces of America’, and ‘Finding our Roots’ with Henry Louis Gates.
In 2008 Fiona traced Barack Obama’s family tree in Ireland back to the 1600s, and in May 2011 received the president’s personal thanks during his visit to Ireland. Fiona’s research interests include Gaelic lordships andIrish lineages; Dublin Guilds and artisan-business 1600s to 1850s; and records in the Registry of Deeds.
Eileen Ó Dúill has been a professional Irish genealogist since 1990 and specializes in forensic genealogy. She has researched over 400 estates internationally in order to locate the rightful heirs in intestate cases.
Eileen was raised in Queens, New York, one of 7 children of Irish parents. In 1974, she emigrated to Ireland where she met and married Sean O’Duill. They have 5 children. In 1990 she was able to turn a lifelong hobby into a business providing a professional Irish genealogical research service. As an American living in Ireland, she has a unique perspective on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and an understanding of her fellow countrymen in their quest for their Irish heritage. Eileen regularly speaks to Genealogical groups in North America.
Sean Ó Dúill is a fluent Irish speaker from Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. He has published several articles in Irish and English on Irish folklore. Sean has lectured at conferences in Ireland and the United States, most recently at the FGS conference in Philadelphia, 2008.
His research into Irish Folklore has developed into a series of lectures which have been of great interest to Irish family historians. The source of Sean’s research is the 1937 Irish Folklore Commission School Project which was designed to gather and preserve the richness of Irish folklore through school children of 12 to 14 years. By interviewing their grandparents and neighbours in the parish, they were able to reach back to just after the famine period and record the treasures of their elders.
Sean declares himself to be “of the folk” and as he is from within the tradition, he can bring to life the voices of the children, their ancestors and ours.
Your Day
• Introduction: why do family history research? •
• Introduction to Irish Births, Marriages and Death records •
• Census 1901 and 1911 online Luncheon talk (over dessert) “Mrs. Fancy Tart is coming to tea: making sense of family stories” •
Afternoon
• Internet sources for Irish research: things to do at home •
• Matchmaking and marriage customs in 19th century Ireland •
• Some success stories to inspire you •
• Where do I go from here? – Question and Answer session •
Workshop Fee
€125 including lunch and light refreshments.
(10% discount for groups of 5 or more).
April 28th 2012 from 10am to 4.30pm.
Be sure to enjoy the delicious scones and other treats during the morning and afternoon breaks. As a one day introduction, it will not be possible to for the panel to provide one-to-one support to participants on individual projects. But do bring your questions and queries to share with the group.
Genealogy is a fascinating hobby, and it can also enrich our knowledge and understanding of our own families. This April join us in Annesbrook to explore aspects of Irish genealogy. Let our experts inform and entertain you in this beautiful and historic country house setting. Relax and join in the discussion of fellow enthusiasts, as you mingle with expert genealogists who have dedicated themselves to illuminating generations past. The unparalleled expertise, the dramatic surroundings, the warm welcome and the good cooking will all combine to create a unique experience. We’re looking forward to it. Do join us! – Kate Sweetman
Further genealogy workshops are planned, so do let us know if you would like to be added to our contact list.