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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MARCH 2026 | 47 Researching Your Irish Roots Researching Irish ancestors presents unique challenges due to Ireland's complex history. One of the greatest difficulties stems from the loss of records during the Irish Civil War. In 1922, the Four Courts building in Dublin, which housed the Public Record Office (PRO), was blown up. This devastating loss, combined with the partition of Ireland in 1921, has made Irish research more complicated. The most significant waves of Irish immigration to the United States occurred between 1847 and 1860, largely as a result of the Irish Potato Famine. During this period, hundreds of thousands of Irish men and women emigrated in search of survival and opportunity. Irish immigration rose again between 1881 and 1890 due to crop failures, land disputes, and religious and political unrest. Understanding when an ancestor immigrated can help narrow the range of records most likely to provide useful information. When researching Irish ancestors, it is best to begin with U.S. records and work backward. Federal census records from 1930 and 1940, World War I draft registration cards, obituaries, yearbooks, and other local sources can provide key details. When an Irish ancestor is identified in U.S. records, researchers should look carefully for information about the county, town, or parish in Ireland. Census records and World War I and II draft cards often include this information, which is essential because Irish genealogy is highly location-based. Naturalization records may also be useful, but it is important to remember that women and children were often naturalized through a husband or parent, depending on the laws at the time, and may not have separate naturalization records. Once a specific Irish location is known, additional sources become available. Civil registration records document births (from 1864), marriages, and deaths, while church records, particularly Catholic parish registers, can trace families back into the 18th century. Because so many early census records were destroyed, surviving 1901 and 1911 census returns and land records such as Griffith's Valuation are vital substitutes. Our club meets once a month on Sunday afternoons. We welcome anyone interested in Irish genealogy or anywhere around the world to join us. Our March meeting will be held on Sun., March 8 at 3 pm in the South Clubhouse. If you'd like to join us or learn more, please email Rob Thomas at rthomasma@ yahoo.com. Genealogy An illustrated, manuscript-style Celtic artwork from Don and Marilyn Forhane.

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