Growing Your Irish Family Tree [In-Person or Virtual]

Estimates are that 31.5 Million US Americans have family ties to the Emerald Isle. As we conduct our family history research, we often find that our Irish ancestors left their lives and their stores behind, never to be shared again. This class will take a look at how to begin the research process to document some of that lost teaghlach history.

Before jumping the pond, we will pack the best travel bag possible by preparing a foundation using genealogical best practices to identify available records and materials which document the life and connections our ancestors and their families. We will learn how to build our own data file from vital records, passenger lists, naturalization records, and other data, in order to create a full illustration of our ancestor. Sailing back in time, we will learn how to identify the place of origin, including civil parishes and townlands, and learn about online resources including Famine Registers, Emigrant Saving Bank, records related to faith and religion, Land and Estate Records, the Poor Laws and even the Dog License Register.

No experience or prior family search experience required.

NOTE: This class will be held at the Ivy Tech Bloomington Main Campus in a Learn Anywhere classroom space that also accommodates Zoom participants. All students will have the opportunity to attend either in-person or virtually via Zoom. Information for participating via Zoom will be sent no later than 2 days before the class start.