I’m going to Ireland! and genealogy project notes

March 17, 2015March 15, 2015Mei-Mei

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Irish people originally faced some discrimination here in America some 200 years ago, so I find it pretty awesome that being Irish is now something to celebrate (though it likely has something to do with the drinking…).

I am a typical European mutt when it comes to my heritage, though it’s obvious from looking at my red hair that I have a good chunk of Irish blood in me. That comes from my mother’s side: of my mother’s great-grandparents, 2 were Swiss-German, 2 were Irish, and 4 were born in the US. Of those 4 Americans, their parents included 7 Irish people and 1 German.

My most "recent" Irish ancestors, John Garrity and Bridget Murray. They came over in the early 1880s (probably too late to be a result of the Great Famine), — My most “recent” Irish ancestors, John Garrity and Bridget Murray. They came over in the early 1880s (probably too late to be a direct result of the Great Famine),

SO! For those who don’t like to do math, I will tell you that I am 34.375% Irish…let’s call it one-third. My mother is about two-thirds Irish.

I know all this because we recently started a family genealogy project using the free 2-week trial at ancestry.com. My mom and I are planning a trip to Ireland this summer and wanted to know more about where our ancestors came from. Hopefully I will soon have more details about both my family history and what we’ll be doing on our trip.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Liz March 17, 2015 / 6:41 pm

this is awesome!

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- Mei-Mei March 17, 2015 / 10:17 pm
  
  Thanks, I’m super excited 🙂
  
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starwarsanon March 19, 2015 / 4:49 pm

I’m so jealous! Ireland is up there on my top places to visit. I was saving up for it but then had to spend all those savings on our Australia visit…which wasn’t horrible and I shouldn’t complain but it was 3 years of savings!! It didn’t even cover my whole trip to Australia either. Anyway, take lots of photos and I can’t wait to see the updates.

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- Mei-Mei March 19, 2015 / 10:49 pm
  
  Oh I plan to fill several SD cards 🙂 Australia sounds lovely, too.
  
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lisenminetti March 23, 2015 / 12:30 pm

My mom and uncles have been to Ireland a few times tracing the family history. It’s really neat to see where you come from. They have pulled me into it a bit as I’m the most tech savvy member of our family – so when they need information they come to me. It’s become a great family project.

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