Claire Bradley is a Dublin-based genealogist specialising in Irish ancestry
Many of you will be aware that I gave a workshop at the recent RootsTech. It was attended by people from all over the world. Unfortunately, it was beset with technical issues. The recording is now online here, but I didn’t get time to answer all the questions during the session. Fortunately, we were able…
A new initiative born from Twitter sees family historians talking about their genealogy origin story using the hashtag #MyGenealogyStory. Here’s mine. I was a child who was interested in the past. I loved history at school. I researched some of my recent ancestors named when choosing my confirmation name. At 12, we were given a…
I was delighted to be able to graduate in person from the University of Limerick yesterday with an MA in History of the Family. It’s been a fascinating year of study – hard work but worthwhile. It’s really added to my knowledge of Irish history and genealogy. Covid meant that this was our only time…
It may be Nollaig na mBán in Ireland today but it’s genealogy Christmas in England and Wales. The 1921 census has been exclusively released on Findmypast. It was taken in June of that year. This census was the first after World War I and saw some slight changes to format notably: Employer’s name and place…
We’ve only just finished the last term on Monday but Malahide Community School Adult Education is quick off the mark to advertise the next term. My 10-week in-person beginners Irish Genealogy class would make a lovely Christmas gift. It’s a steal at just €110. We start back on 31st January 2022. Details & booking here.…
Following two separate conversations this week, I present a bit of fun.
Despite climate change’s best efforts, the evenings are beginning to draw in.Many people will not be aware that Hallowe’en has its origins in Ireland. It’s changed quite a bit since I was a child in the 1980s but some facets still remain the same. Back then, we dressed up and went to our neighbours’ doors…
UNESCO designates 8th September every year as International Literacy Day. It promotes the importance of literacy as a human right. Who among us doesn’t love getting caught up in a great novel? In this modern world, very few activities still require your full attention, we’re always on our phones or something, but reading is still…
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ends, I wanted to look back at an early Irish Olympian, who just happens to be a distant cousin. This story starts with two Welsh sisters who married two (unrelated) Irish soldiers. My great-great-grandmother, Margaret Morgan, and her sister Alice, came from a farming family in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Though we’ll…