My DNA Results

From the start of my correspondence with Irelandsdna project  www.irelandsdna.com I found the company most helpful and professional. Every email was replied to in a short time and even after receiving the results I was encouraged to make contact if I had any questions.

I was kept up to date on the progress of the tests and I have been very impressed with my dealings with them.

In my earlier post I clearly stated I did not know that much about the topic. I wasn't sure what to expect, I guess a lot of us have notions of being descended from the High Kings of Ireland and in ancient times our ancestors were fierce Gaelic warriors....they may well have been but in reality these results show where we originated from and what route we took.

Of course the results give me plenty to think about and in time I will read up on the subject more and find out what these markers mean in the grander scale of things. The main marker is as follows-

S145 and Pretani

Along with these markers is the route taken to Western Europe many thousands of years ago. Also where the clusters of people with these markers are to be found in Europe. Primarily Britain, Ireland and Iberia. What I found most interesting is a large cluster in Co Monaghan with certain names........ Co Monaghan borders Co Louth where my immediate paternal line is from (over 200 years ago).

We all know about family history but this really gives us an insight into ancient Ireland, who we are and where we came from. Many of us are from a varied ancient background but all of us make up the Irish race.

I can't help but compare ancient Ireland to modern day Ireland. We may have part of us from Scandinavia, Spain, Scotland, Wales, Ancient Britain, Brittany etc. and then we have modern day Ireland where people from all over the world have settled here recently. That is something that will benefit Ireland in generations to come and hopefully in generations to come Irish people will be looking at their results and seeing what part of the world their ancestors came from to make up the Irish race.

There's one thing we should know....... many thousands of years ago a few thousand people walked away from NE Africa and that's something that we all have in common.

A fascinating subject and one story which will give me something to think about for sometime.

Feel free to take a look at their website and I for one recommend you take the test if you have been considering it.

Irelandsdna project Email me! click here

McCormack of Co. Louth (1)

I intend to cover all parishes for Co. Louth (R.C.) and will also add variants in time as I find them.

Ardee - Anne 1850 Mary 1850 Peter 1861 Thomas 1879 Joseph 1881 Bridget 1881 Catherine 1887 Mary 1891 McCormick - Caty 1763 Bridget 1763 Hugh 1764 Mary 1766 Mary 1775 Catty 1782 Mary 1783 Anne 1789 Joseph 1789 Catty 1791 Mary 1791 Bridget 1791 John 1793 Mary 1793 Mary 1795 Peter 1795 John 1796 Joseph 1797 Thomas 1797 Caty 1798 Thomas 1798 James 1799 George 1799 Margaret 1801 Margaret 1804 Jean 1806 Laurence 1806 Bety 1806 John 1807 Catharine 1808 Patrick 1811 Patrick 1811 Alice 1812 Bridget 1813 Laurence 1820 Hugh 1822 Peter 1825 Mary 1826 James 1827 Bernard 1827 Patrick 1827 Anne 1828 Mary 1829 Cathe 1830 John 1830 Alley 1830 Margaret 1831 Margaret 1832 Mathew 1832 James 1832 William 1833 Mathew 1834 Laurence 1835 John 1837 Cath 1837 Margaret 1837 Elizabeth 1837 James 1838 Margaret 1839 James 1839 Margaret 1840 Catherine 1840 William 1841 Michael 1841 Cath 1841 Hugh 1841 Sally 1844 John 1844 John 1845 James 1845 Mary 1849 Pat 1877 James 1884 Mary Bridget 1889

The parishes to follow next will be Dundalk and Drogheda. Each parish will have their own page. Email me! click here

Curtis of Dundalk

The following shows brief details of  Curtis baptisms from the parish of Dundalk, Co Louth.

Anne 1792, Mary 1793, Else? 1794, Peter 1797, Margaret 1797, Mathew 1818, Mary 1820, Alice 1822?, Anne 1823, Thomas 1827, Judith 1829, Michael 1829, Pat 1830, James 1830, James 1832, Patrick 1832, Jane 1833, Patrick 1836, John 1836, Patrick 1837, Margaret 1837, Hugh 1839, Michael 1840, Bridget 1840, Mary 1840, Margaret Patrick 1841, Catherine 1842, Jane 1842, Rose 1843, Patrick 1843, Patrick 1844, Laurence 1845, Bridget 1845, Peter 1845, Peter 1846,  Owen 1847, Sylvester 1847, Bridget 1850, Joseph 1850, Sarah Jane 1850, Bridget 1851.

If you need later details feel free to contact. Email me! click here

Ireland's DNA

                           
For a number of years I like so many researchers have read a little about DNA I must admit I know very little about the subject. I have heard about people having their DNA tested to try and link to others with the same family area in a given to establish ancestry links. As I have my paternal line back c200 years this did not grab my attention.

Last week I read about a company that is offering a service “IrelandsDNA” which will help us as a people to where we came from.

The following is from that company which I must admit has more than caught my interest.

　

DNA is not only the secret of life, it also opens The Book of the Dead as it can reveal the secrets of our ancestry. By having your DNA analysed our scientists and historians can tell remarkable stories of our deep past, stories that have remained hidden up until now. Was Ireland peopled from Iberia, as legends have it, were there migrations from the east? These are stories only DNA can tell. They are not the tales of the usual suspects or of kings, queens, warriors and saints. Taken together our DNA results provide a new way of looking at the past, a people's history.

With their obvious expertise I have decided to have my DNA tested. When I receive the results I will publish them as an update to my blog.

I am most interested to see what the results show.

Please come back in the near future (up to 6 weeks) to view what the results show.

26th June- DNA kit arrived today. Instructions were clear and it's very easy to carry out. The  delivery time on the test kit was very good too.

Co Louth Ireland to Australia

My McCormack's of Co.Louth are well documented back to around c.1830. Not all of the research has been my own as we all receive a helping hand and a surprise bonus along the way.

One such bonus arrived yesterday. A lady in Australia sent me a photograph of her grandmother Annie Julia Lynch who was born in Queensland, Australia.

Annie was the daughter of Philip Lynch & Rose McCormack who were married at St Peter's R.C. Church, Drogheda, Co Louth. Annie was probably named after Annie Mathews (my Gx2 Grandmother) who was married to my Gx2 Grandfather Thomas McCormack.

Rose McCormack was a younger sister to my Gx1 Grandfather Bernard McCormack (1849) and this in turn would make Annie Julia a first cousin to my grandfather Patrick McCormack.

I think you'll agree it's a great photograph of Annie Julia and I thank my 3rd cousin Sandy in Australia.

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Parish Record Co Mayo 1859

I thought I'd post an image from the registers covering the parish of Killaser, Co Mayo (marriages).

You can amuse yourself by transcribing them if you wish.

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Mother Jones

"The Cork Mother Jones Commemorative Committee" have asked me if I would publicise the "Mother Jones Festival" which I am more than happy to do so. I have looked into the ancestry of the family myself which you'll find on an earlier post in this blog.

There is a lot more information to be had and indeed the committee are looking for donations towards the plaque which will be erected in the city. A local artist has been commissioned (Mirk Wilkins) and this will be unveiled on the 175th anniversary of her baptism - 1st August 2012. For those in Ireland wishing to make a donation the committee have set up an account at Ulster Bank, Blackpool, Cork City- account number 10832608 sort code 98-54-81. For those overseas wishing to donate click on the "email me" link below and I'll pass on contact details.

Good luck to the committee. (happy to help)
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Ryan of Co Tipperary

The surname Ryan is to be found all over Co Tipperary and this page from the baptismal registers of Newport proves how common it is.

Newport is about 10 miles from the County boundary of Co Limerick so it is found there too.

Note next to some entries their marriage details are entered that I have mentioned in earlier blogs, this came into use post 1907.
This page is from 1874.

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An Irish Obituary

I have recently been attempting to obtain a few obituaries for myself and others and have had a fair bit of success.

I was delighted to obtain the obituary for my Great Grandfather Thomas Wade of North Co. Dublin.

This is from  September 1932 just a few days before my father was born just 1 mile away.

Thomas Wade, Balbriggan.

Widespread regret has been occasioned by the death of Mr. Thomas Wade which occurred after a brief illness at his residence, White Hart, Balbriggan, on Friday last. the deceased, who had reached his 71st year, carried on successfully the business of auctioneer, and was prominently identified with the farming and livestock industry in North County Dublin. At various cattle shows throughout the country his services in the capacity of Judge were frequently requisitioned, and his decisions gave the utmost satisfaction.

He took a keen interest in local affairs and was for a considerable period a useful and popular member of the now defunct Balrothery Board of Guardians. As Chairman of the Balbriggan Coursing Club he did much to encourage coursing in North County Dublin.

The funeral on Sunday SS. Peter and Paul's Church to the family burial ground at Balrothery was one of the largest and most representative seen in the district for many years. As well as a huge concourse on foot over 100 cars followed the remains to their last resting place. (list of clergy follow)

The chief mourners were :-  Mrs. Wade (widow); Arthur and Thomas Wade (sons);  Mrs. P.J. McCormack, Misses Thomasina, Mary Francis, Esther and Julia Wade (daughters); Andrew and John McLoughlin, John, Patrick, Vincent and Rev. Jos. Purfield (nephews); Mrs G Wade, (niece); P.J.McCormack (son in law), John Savage, Christopher Lindsay, J.Monks, Joseph, John, Michael and Patrick Wade (relatives).  R.I.P. Email me! click here

Bringing The Griffiths Valuation Forward

I have often wrote on the Griffith's Valuation  that it is possible to research the property and to show the change in tenants / landowners.

In the Griffith's Valuation the entry has a lot number which it keeps through out the years. The tenant is crossed out when a new tenant is shown and of course this is often a family member.

Below is an image showing a son taking over the property from his father in 1922 Co Donegal. In the Griffith's Valuation it was Edward's mother who was shown as the tenant. The property was in existence up until 1958. The full record of the property covering 100 years. The Tithes Applotments may show the property in the 1830's.

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