Genealogy Tips and Advice

1. Genealogy is a research project. Treat it aslibraries, that are focused in on family history.
one. Learn from the mistakes of others. Discuss6. Family names. You may find that that you
your objective and targets with others who havecome across records that give different spellings
researched family tree’s in the countryfor Irish surnames. This is because up to the
that you want to. Look up online groups.1850’s, a majority of Irish people would
Remember a good game plan will make you ahave spoken Irish rather than English. Official
more effective genealogist and give you a morerecords were recorded in English though, the
complete family tree.spelling can vary as many people would not have
2. Speak to as many family members as you can.used their “English” name often, and
Ask them for the names of family members thatwould often be unsure of the exact version.
they know, any old addresses or any towns thatRemember to be aware that many Irish families
they ever heard of. Record everything, fromwould have nicknames, often in Irish, that would
family jobs to interests and reasons theyhave described a family trait, characteristic, or
emigrated. Look through photo albums, all personaljust as a division between several families with
and records that can be found in your familythe same name, such as the bui’s etc. Also
homes. Many genealogical searches hinge on aa person, could be called Dan Jack pats, in day to
letter found in an attic or an old diaryday use, whilst not being their full birth name
3. Everything should be backed up by facts, have– Jacky being the father, Patsy, being the
each lead confirmed before you follow it. Tracinggrandfather.
family tree’s can be challenging enough7. Birth dates should be give several years leeway
without, chasing a wrong lead.both ways. Dates of Birth were often not
4. Make a start – write down all the familyrecorded till years after, the birth and even then
members, that you know of on a family tree.were often not remembered correctly.
Write down the place of birth, of each person,Useful addresses:
their date of Birth etc. Keep it brief though.Cork City Ancestral Project- Genealogy research
Further records can be made and kept in afor South Corkc/o County Library
notebook. Make sure that your records and familyFarranlea Road
tree are clearly kept and well organised.Cork City
5. Potential sources include: Churches, Cemeteries,Ireland
the Family history centre of the Church of theMallow heritage center.
Latter day saints. There are public archives and