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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