| Many genealogists use surnames to dig up their | | | | roots. It's especially useful in cases where you |
| Irish roots. This is an important and sound | | | | don't know the names of the parents of a |
| technique, because surnames can often point to | | | | particular ancestor. By looking at how he named |
| the Irish county from which your ancestors came. | | | | his children, you can have an idea as to what his |
| However, surnames aren't the only type of name | | | | parents (and siblings) names may have been. |
| you can use to trace your Irish ancestry. Thanks | | | | While the above guidelines were by no means set |
| to common traditional naming patterns across the | | | | in stone, and sometimes varied, the pattern was |
| country in the 19th century, first names can also | | | | usual enough in the 19th century to be of real use |
| often provide an important clue as to the | | | | to genealogists searching for Irish ancestors. |
| identities of your elusive family members. Here's | | | | By looking at naming patterns when searching for |
| how: | | | | the parents of an ancestor, you can keep a |
| Nineteenth-century Irish family naming patterns | | | | closer eye out for potential candidates by looking |
| usually followed the guidelines in the list below | | | | at their first names. Of course, you should always |
| pretty closely: | | | | verify and document all information, and never |
| 1. The oldest son was named after the father's | | | | assume to know an ancestor's name simply by |
| father. | | | | what it would be according to the above list. But, |
| 2. The oldest daughter was named after the | | | | for example, if you're looking for the parents of |
| mother's mother. | | | | an Irish ancestor named Michael Donnahue, and |
| 3. The second son was named after the mother's | | | | you know Michael's first-born son was named |
| father. | | | | Martin, then this might be a clue that Michael's |
| 4. The third son was named after the father. | | | | father's name was also Martin. In this case, you |
| 5. The fourth son was named after the father's | | | | can look more closely at men by the name of |
| oldest brother. | | | | Martin Donnahue who lived in the same area as |
| 6. The second daughter was named after the | | | | Michael and were of the right age to be Michael's |
| father's mother. | | | | father. |
| 7. The third daughter was named after the | | | | Knowing the traditional naming patterns helps you |
| mother. | | | | find your Irish roots by alerting you to clues of |
| 8. The fourth daughter was named after the | | | | identities you may have otherwise missed. Use it |
| mother's oldest sister. | | | | cautiously, but do use it! It can help you |
| As you can see, this type of naming pattern can | | | | tremendously! |
| potentially provide important clues to your Irish | | | | |