The Capuchin Annual was published by the Irish Capuchin Franciscans from 1930 until 1977. Although its readership was predominately Irish, its circulation was international as it was frequently sent to Irish emigrants particularly in North America and in Australia. It was a journal unique in Irish publishing containing many literary, historical, photographic, theological, biographical and artistic articles. It claimed a readership of 25,000 worldwide at the height of its success in the 1950s.
Many Irish writers, artists and educators who later rose to prominence such as Benedict Kiely, Pearse Hutchinson, Francis Stuart, Daniel Corkery, Francis MacManus, Richard J. King, Thomas MacGreevey and Augustine Martin received their first opportunities to publish with the Annual.

Throughout its publication run it maintained a very high quality of contributions by leading politicians and writers. The Annual frequently reflected a very strong nationalistic theme. The 1942 and 1966 editions of The Capuchin Annual are particularly well-known as they contained detailed articles, profusely illustrated, on the 1916 Rising. The complete collection of The Capuchin Annual is now being made freely available online solely for scholarly research at www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/capuchin-annual-1930-1977

In March of this year we produced an e-publication The Family Histories of the Seven Signatories of the Proclamation as our contribution to the commemoration of the 1916 Rising.

We are delighted to announce that it is now available to purchase as a book. Thanks are due to Kildare County Council and Merrion Press/Irish Academic Press for supporting the book and ensuring it will be there for posterity.

This book would be a lovely Christmas present. It is available from Merrion Press and bookshops including Hodges Figgis, Eason’s, Dubray Books, Barker & Jones (Naas), Farrell & Nephew (Newbridge), and O’Mahony’s.

The Proclamation of the Irish Republic is the most significant document in Irish history. The credo contained therein, to cherish ‘all of the children of the nation equally’, has come to define its seven signatories, marking a common bond in their life’s work. Their memory intensely moulded by their political activities, history can forget the diverse background from which these seven men came—family histories that touched upon twenty counties and economic environments ranging from extreme poverty to privilege.

The Family Histories of the Seven Signatories is an indispensable genealogical history that uncovers the disparate lives that came together through the will for Irish independence. Thomas Clarke and James Connolly were born in England and Scotland respectively, their families having emigrated in the years after the Great Famine, an experience shared by many generations of Irish people before and since. Thomas McDonagh and Patrick Pearse had immediate English forebears. The signatories’ pasts from before they were born were an essential component in determining their ideas – each firmly their own – of an Irish republic. Their extended histories, fully disclosed within the pages of this book, are a riveting realisation of the complexities that defined nineteenth century Ireland and the lives of the seven signatories whose pasts reveal the many-faceted draw towards rebellion.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Éamonn Ceannt
2. Thomas Clarke
3. James Connolly
4. Seán Mac Diarmada
5. Thomas MacDonagh
6. Patrick Pearse
7. Joseph Plunkett

About the Author
Paul Gorry has had a lifelong interest in family history.  He has worked as a professional genealogist since 1979 and he is a Member of Accredited Genealogists Ireland.  As well as conducting research for clients, his work has involved advice to individuals on their own research, tutoring, lecturing, record editing, conference organising and writing.  He was joint author (with Máire Mac Conghail, MAGI) of Tracing Irish Ancestors (1997).  He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists (London) in 1999 and as a Fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society in 2005.

Ulster Historical Foundation

Telling, since 1956, the story of the people of Ulster

We are pleased to announce that details for the Foundation’s Tracing your Irish Ancestors family history conference  in June 2017 are now available.

Running from 14-21 June 2017, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors will offer a brand new programme which will appeal to both the dedicated family historian and those who may wish to spend time taking in the spectacular scenery and historical sites.

New for 2017

This year’s conference will include a guided tour of both the Knowth and Newgrange (visit confirmed) passage tombs at Bru na Boinne; a tour of south Antrim including a trip to Carrickfergus Castle, one of the best preserved medieval structures in all of Ireland; a visit to Ireland’s only accessible rope-bridge at Carrick-a-rede; a visit to Barons Court, the finest private home in Ireland; as well as the Hill of the O’Neills – the ancient capital of Ulster!

The extensive programme of tours throughout the week will also take you through rolling countryside to sites of international renown from the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle on County Antrim’s wild Atlantic coast to the haunting Kilmainham Gaol and Trinity College Dublin with its Old Library and the Book of Kells Exhibition.

New Irish Genealogy Essentials Course

Delivered by the Foundation’s expert staff a major new addition to our programming for 2017 includes an Irish Genealogy Essentials Course. This course will offer delegates, prior to the start of the conference, two and a half days of intensive learning, with practical demonstrations using relevant websites and other electronic resources.

Our programme is all about helping you to trace your roots

Assisted personal research in the archives with the help of the Foundation’s experienced genealogists, talks, tours and sightseeing are all part of the eclectic, friendly and fun mix of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors.

The Foundation has many years’ experience in hosting family history events and Tracing Your Irish Ancestors promises to be a truly memorable week.

‘Early Bird’ offer – register now for excellent savings

We are currently offering a special ‘Early Bird’ registration offer: sign up to attend our Summer Conference before the 28th February 2017 for only £799.99! (The price after 31st January will be £849.99).

Join us in June and learn about the dramatic history of Ulster and the lives of your Irish ancestors. You will be very welcome. For more information please visit:

Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, 14-21 June 2017 – www.ancestryireland.com/family-history-conference/summer

If you have any queries, please email: enquiry@uhf.org.uk

 Ulster Historical Foundation

 

Testimonials from 2015 and 2016 conference attendees

If you are wondering whether to engage UHF’s services or attend one of their conferences I can assure you that you’ll experience absolute quality. I attended the June 2016 UHF conference and to sum it up – I attended a genealogy holiday. If you want to: meet like-minded people, have professional research assistance, eat really well, enjoy field trips that will show you the things that make Ireland amazing, meet new friends from around the world and enhance your own genealogy knowledge – this is a high quality conference you won’t be sorry you spent money on! On top of all that the staff at UHF are friendly, know their stuff, well organised and prepared to accommodate your last minute change (if they can). My only complaint is that it ended! But, I’ve already decided that I’m going to attend another one in a few years time. Yes, it’s that good!  Davina Hughes. Waipa, New Zealand

Great conference UHF! It was very Informative, well organized, friendly, and fun. Looking forward to my next one. Suzanne Billings, Pennsylvania, USA

Excellent program for both researchers and tourists. I enjoyed the research and my wife likewise the tours. A most friendly and informative staff. Greatly enjoyed interacting with the staff especially the very delightful historical commentaries delivered as only the Irish can. The attendees bonded well with our shared interest in Irish genealogy and a great time was had by all. Thanks UHF!  Andy and Jackie Moore, Illinois, USA

What a wonderful week this was, I cannot believe just how many places that we all visited together, thank you so much to everyone involved in all the hard work for giving us such a wonderful time, I also met up with many new friends. Kay Howard, Essex, England

 

For the third year running, The Genealogy Event has come to Limerick. Sponsored by RootsIreland.ie, it offered a wealth of up to date information on researching your Irish ancestors using familiar genealogical resources, but also some lesser known sources. The genealogy conference was held in the picturesque location of Adare, County Limerick and organiser Bridget Bray, a Canadian lady with roots in Limerick, offered attendees the opportunity to take their research further by connecting with fellow research enthusiasts and professionals working in the field of Irish genealogy.

In addition to the two day conference, Bridget Bray, organised a reception night and social evening events, including a visit to an Irish county house and a whiskey tasting session.

Talks and one to one consultations were offered by RootsIreland member centres over the two day event. Brian Mitchell of Derry Genealogy Centre presented a case study on tracing the Irish roots of Mary T. Fisher, a lady’s companion in Boston in the 1880s. Catriona Crowe of Limerick Genealogy spoke about the importance of property valuation records when tracing a family history and Aoife Ryan, also of Limerick Genealogy explored handwriting interpretation. Over the two days, attendees had the opportunity to discuss their research with genealogists from RootsIreland in one to one consultations.

And the good news is that The Genealogy Event returns to Adare in 2017! For further details, please see www.thegenealogyevent.com. In the meantime if you would like some advice or assistance in research your Irish ancestors please contact Limerick Genealogy or any of the Roots Ireland genealogy centres. Contact details for each centre can be found at www.rootsireland.ie.

Offaly History launched an online catalogue for archives in August which is available at www.offalyhistoryarchives.com. It is a work in progress and many more archival descriptions will be added to the database as soon as collections have been catalogued.

It also hosts, in conjunction with Offaly County Council’s Heritage Office and with the kind permission of Lord Digby of Minterne, Dorset, digitised images from the Digby Irish Estates Papers, the originals of which remain in Dorset. This is a marvellous resource for researching 19th and early 20th century Offaly. Over 1000 images of rental accounts for the Geashill Estate 1857-1872 are already online, with many more to come in the months ahead.

Offaly History and Offaly Heritage Office would like to acknowledge the support of the Heritage Council for sponsoring both the initial digitisation of the rental volumes and the ongoing archives work in Offaly History.

Further details please contact:

Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Telephone: 057-9321421
Opening hours 9-4.30 Mon-Friday Office and Family History
Thursdays 7.30p.m.- 10.30 p.m. Library evening
Web site: www.offalyhistory.com Email: info@offalyhistory.com

The Cavan Ireland 2016 Committee, Cavan Genealogy and The Mellon Centre for Migration Studies Omagh, County Tyrone

Warp and Weft – A two day exploration of diasporic links, ancestral entanglements, revolution and war

on 14th & 15th October 2016

Belturbet, County Cavan and Omagh, County Tyrone

Friday 14th October at Belturbet Library

10.30am Registration and Tea/Coffee

11.00am Professor Timothy G. Mc Mahon ‘Not Free Merely But Gaelic as Well’: South Ulster, the Diaspora and the Irish Revolution

12.20pm Lunch

1.30pm Bus to Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim

2.30pm Dr Gerard Mac Atasney Seán Mac Diarmada with visits to his birthplace, Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre and monument followed by Tea/Coffee

5.00pm Return for evening meal – The Seven Horseshoes, Belturbet at 6.30pm

8.00pm The Hacklers Drama Group present Rising Voices 8.45pm Discussion hosted by Frank Galligan

Saturday 15th October at MCMS at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

10.30am Tea/Coffee

11.00am Dr Patricia Craig A Twisted Root Ancestral Engagements in Ireland

12.30pm Lunch

1.30pm Exploring 1916 in the Ulster American Folk Park

2.30pm Dr Johanne Devlin Trew and Omagh Robins ‘Of Bicycles and Fallow Fields…’: Great War drama written and performed by Omagh Robins

4.00pm Close

Timothy G. McMahon is associate professor of history at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His research includes national identity, imperialism and popular culture in modern Ireland and Britain. Included among his many publications are Grand Opportunity The Gaelic Revival and Irish Society, 1893 – 1910and the memoir Pádraig Ó Fathaigh’s War of Independence: Recollections of a Galway Gaelic Leaguer. He is co-editing a collection of essays Ireland’s Imperial Cultures, 1800 – 1950.

Dr Gerard Mac Atasney from Lurgan, County Armagh has written extensively on the history of County Leitrim, the home county of his mother. In 2004, Seán Mac Diarmada The Mind of the Revolution was the first book to be published about this largely neglected figure of the 1916 rising. Tom Clarke Life, Liberty, Revolution the first biography of Clarke since 1936 was published in 2013. The Dead Buried by the Dyeing The Great Famine in Leitrim is his most recent work

Derry born Frank Galligan with Cavan roots is a radio and TV host, newspaper columnist, poet, short story writer, writing trainer and festival and concert host. He taught creative writing at the University of Ulster and has been a long-time creative writing facilitator. Publications include a collection of short stories Out of The Blue and poetry collections A Strong Weakness and A Cold Forbidding Irish Green. His play Maria Live is a celebration of the life of Maria Edgeworth.

Dr Patricia Craig was born in Belfast, moved to London in the 1960s and returned to live in Northern Ireland in 1999. She has written biographies of Elizabeth Bowen and Brian Moore. Her memoir Asking for Trouble was published in 2007 and A Twisted Root: Ancestral Entanglements in Ireland, in 2012. An acclaimed literary critic and anthologist, she is the editor of many anthologies including The Oxford Book of Ireland, The Ulster Anthology and Penguin Book of British Comic Stories.

Dr Johanne Devlin Trew is a lecturer at the University of Ulster. She held research and teaching posts at Queen’s University Belfast, Memorial University, Newfoundland and Concordia University, Montreal. She has also been a research associate on several joint projects with the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies, Omagh. She is the author of two recent books: Leaving the North: Migration and Memory, Northern Ireland, 1921 – 2011 and Place, Culture and Community: The Irish Heritage of the Ottawa Valley.

Booking – Places are limited so early booking is essential. Please leave your contact details with us if you wish to be placed on a waiting list.

Cavan Genealogy, First Floor, Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Telephone: 00 353 (0)49 4361094
Email: cavangenealogy@eircom.net

Fees
Fees are non-refundable and must be paid in advance at time of booking. All major cards accepted.

All Events €25.00 (includes evening meal,lunch x 2 and bus)
Friday only €15.00 (includes lunch and bus)
Saturday only €15.00 (includes lunch, bus, evening meal)

 Brian Mitchell has added two new volumes to his series on Derry-Londonderry genealogy. One covers the place names of county Derry, while the other offers a list of inhabitants extracted from the 1921 Derry Directory. These new books complement Mitchell’s 2014 works, Tracing Derry-Londonderry Roots and Derry Londonderry: Gateway to a New World. The Story of Emigration from the Foyle by Sail and Stream.

New! The Place Names of County Derry

The Place Names of County Derry consists of two parts. In Part One researchers will find a list of 1,750 place names, in alphabetical order, as recorded in the 1901 census returns for the city and county of Londonderry (also known as Derry). It includes the names of all townlands, together with street listings for all towns, in County Derry. Against each place name, i.e. townland or town and street, is recorded the following information: district electoral division, parish, registrar district, poor law union, and 17th-century landowner. Knowing the record jurisdictions for place names will result in more effective use of major Irish record sources such as 1901 and 1911 census returns; church registers; civil registers of births, marriages, and deaths; the national indexes to civil birth, marriage, and death registers; and estate records.

Part Two, County Derry Parish Reports, features record sources of value–both civil and church–to family historians, compiled and recorded by parish. Realistic genealogical research, in the absence of indexes and databases, generally requires knowledge of the parish in which your ancestor lived. This section details parish reports, in alphabetical order, for each of Derry’s 46 civil parishes, describing and locating the parish, identifying the top ten surnames in the mid-19th century, and detailing the major record sources for that parish.

New! The People of Derry City, 1921: Extracted from the “Derry Almanac and Directory”

Because the 1926 census for Northern Ireland was used for waste paper in World War II, the first census that survives since 1911 for the city and county of Londonderry is that of 1937, and this will be available for inspection in the year 2038 (unless the 100-year closure rule is waived before then). This means that each annual edition of the Derry Almanac is the closest surviving census document for Derry city in the period from 1912 to 1936.

This new publication by Irish genealogist Brian Mitchell lists inhabitants, in alphabetical order by surname, in Derry City in 1921. As transcribed here, the work contains five fields: surname of head of household, first name of head of household, street address, house number, and page number of the listing in the Derry Almanac. In all, the Derry Almanac and Directory of 1921 names 8,288 heads of household in Derry city.

Derry-Londonderry: Gateway to a New World. The Story of Emigration from the Foyle by Sail and Stream

The emigration trade established Derry as one of the chief Irish ports for the transatlantic trade in the 18th century. For example, in 1771 the American colonies took more linen cloth and provisions from Derry than Britain did, and 30 percent of Ulster-Scots, around 75,000 people, emigrated through Derry to North America prior to 1776. Brian Mitchell captures the protagonists and milestones of this history in his beautifully illustrated tribute to Derry-Londonderry’s place in emigration history. The author’s brief narrative explains Derry’s rise and ultimate decline as a port of embarkation, conveys century by century what people utilized the port, traces the changes in emigration from the age of sail to the age of steam, and draws attention to individuals like composer Stephen Foster’s great-grandfather, Alexander Foster, who sailed from Derry, and to vessels like the Adam Lodge, which sailed from Derry to Australia. Highlighting the book are numerous illustrations that flesh out the Derry story, including passenger notices, sample passenger lists, pictures and photographs of actual vessels and passengers–some of them quite moving–maps, and more.

Tracing Derry-Londonderry Roots

Tracing Derry-Londonderry Roots recounts Derry’s importance in Irish emigration and explains how it impacts genealogical research for the area. The introductory chapters discuss the fundamentals of genealogical research, such as reviewing family papers and gathering family reminiscences, before emphasizing the importance of place or locality in all of Irish research. In Derry’s case, this means ascertaining the name of the townland(s) your forebears came from in order to utilize the treasure trove of Irish records that can shed light on the people who lived there. The meat of the book consists of a review of the main record sources for Derry genealogy, including civil registers of births, marriages, and deaths; church registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials; gravestone inscriptions; wills; 1901 and 1911 census returns; mid-19th-century Griffith’s Valuation; early 19th-century Tithe Applotment Books; the 1831 census; and pre-1800 census substitutes. Brian Mitchell explains where you can find these sources (including Internet sources) before launching into a discussion of the main Irish record repositories for Derry ancestry research. He concludes with a detailed treatment of all the local record offices.

www.genealogical.com

An exploration of the Fleming/Mackey family from Mullinakill, Co. Kilkenny, ancestors of Democratic US Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator Tim Kaine.

William Fleming leased agricultural land in the townland of Mullinakill per the Tithe Applotment Survey 1833 being ‘co-tenant of John Mackey.’ It appears that William had at least two sons William and John. The earliest entries in the Rosbercon Catholic register date from c. 1817.

William Fleming and Catherine Mackey lived in the townland of Mullinakill, in the civil parish of Jerpoint West encompassed by the Catholic parish of Rosbercon, Co. Kilkenny. Their marriage is not recorded which simply means that it has not survived. Many marriages took place in the house of the bride in past times, and was celebrated so well that it is possible that the event went unrecorded! Their origins in the townland are evidenced by a lease to Wm. Fleming of agricultural land in 1833. Census records do not survive so there is no other means of establishing this other than from available vital records of marriage and baptism

Baptisms recorded to them were:
Thomas, 30 Aug 1831
Mary, 25 Mar 1835
Richard, 27 Apr 1837
James, 26 May 1846

Evidently the family emigrated to Canada c. 1851 where their son Thomas Fleming married Elizabeth Downey who was born there but to Kilkenny parents who were married in St. Canice’s, Kilkenny – Patrick Downey and Elizabeth Phelan. Catherine Fleming, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth, born in Canada, married Patrick Farrell from Killashee, Co. Longford and their daughter Annabella married Tim Kaine’s grandfather.

It appears that William was a younger brother of John Fleming who married a year after William and his family left the country. John married a local girl Catherine Blanchfield on 23 March 1852 per Rosbercon parish register. The family lived in the Listerlin side of this Catholic parish. Their children were:

William, 26 January 1853
Catherine, 20 December 1855
Thomas, 11 February 1861
Edmond, 26 September 1868

The Griffith’s Valuation of 1850 and cancellations up to 1889 list John Fleming as lessee of 6 acres 1 rood 6 perches and 39 acres 1 rood 29 perches from Charles Putland at Mullinakill. The holdings passed to Catherine after John’s death and then passed to Edward c.1912. According to a local land survey taken up during the twentieth century the family farmed 62 acres of land at one time [John Kennedy was the surveyor].

William’s nephew and John’s son Edward Fleming married Bridget Malone of Glenpipe on 30 Jan 1907 in Rosbercon. Edward and Bridget’s children were:

John, 24 January 1908
James, 9 June 1909
Catherine, 1 September 1910
William, 1916

Edward’s daughter Catherine Fleming married Michael Conway 13 April 1942 in Rosbercon. Three daughters were born to them:

Bridget, died 24 July 1960
Mary, m. ? Frisby
Johanna, b. 10 April 1949 and m. ? O’Meara

Michael and Catherine, both now deceased, are buried in Listerlin graveyard with their daughter Bridget, Ml died 11/07/1955, Bridget 24/07/1960, Catherine 8/12/1984.

Mary Frisby lives locally; Johanna [Joan] O.Meara lives in Co. Tipperary.

Edward’s son John now deceased was a bachelor – presumed buried in Listerlin.

Edward’s son James (Jimmy) married Anastasia. The tombstone to both in Listerlin graveyard referred to Jimmy of Mullinakill and London probably emigrated for a time, died 26 Jan 1873, his widow died 18 June 1978. [No Children?]

Edward’s son William born 17 Jan 1916, married Mary ? and had one daughter Bridget who married ? Gilligan – all are interred in Listerlin.
Mary d. 17/11/1976, Wm. D 25/04/1987, Bridget 23/11/2010.

The Fleming land has passed out of the family and some of it is under forestry. Sadly, the original farmhouse is not accessible, although it is clearly visible, almost derelict, from Fleming’s Lane in Mullinakill. Edward or Ned as he was locally called seems to have been the last to live here. William built a bungalow now occupied by Noel Morrissey and his family.

The Fleming lands rose high above the locality offering spectacular views of the landscape especially on a bright sunny morning. Close by is St. Moling’s Well where the pattern is held each year in late August and the scenic views from here are wonderful.  There are few traditional farmhouses houses in the general area but one is occupied by John Kennedy who graciously took me to the Fleming lands and explained the changes in land ownership over past years.

Several Mackey families were resident in the townland of Mullinakill c. 1830, 1850 and even later. There is one Mackey family there now, but since it cannot be ascertained if they are one and the same family as Catherine Mackey who married William Fleming, parents of Thomas, it was decided not to pursue the line at the moment. Certainly all surnames above were still present in the townland c. 1976 including one William Fleming a son of Edward and Bridget born in 1916. However, some forty years later it is evident that there have been more changes in land ownership.

Sources consulted in the compilation of this research:

www.rootsireland.ie
www.rootsweb.com
census.nationalarchives.ie
Tithe Applotment Books  

Civil Births and Marriages – Courtesy of Registrar, County Clinic, Kilkenny.
Printed Book of Griffith’s Valuation Barony of Knocktopher 1850 Parish of Jerpont West.
Ms Cancelled Book Barony of Knocktopher Parish of Jerpoint West, Mullinakill townland 1860 – 1912.
Print out of ratepayers as at 1976 – Courtesy of staff at the Valuation Office Dublin.
Gravestone inscriptions in Listerlin graveyard.
Discussion and tour of locality with John Kennedy of Glenpipe, Tullogher 30/0702016.
Conversation with Joan O’Meara nee Conway 30072016.

by Mary Flood, Kilkenny Genealogy Service, Rothe House, Parliament St., Kilkenny
30/07/2016

 

People from all over the world came to Victoria during the gold rush seeking their fortune, and the people from counties of Ireland were heavily represented. The information on the inmates of the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum, many of whom were Irish, has now been updated to included general inmates 1860-1897/98, and female inmates and their babies of the Lying-In Wards 1892/93-1904/05. The Ballarat Historical Society index is searchable alphabetically and provides a great range of information on the people who populated the Victorian goldfields and at some stage needed the benevolence of the community. www.ballarathistoricalsociety.com/index.php/the-collection/bbsr