Sifting through family history resources and genealogy websites can be a daunting task if you are one of the many Americans eager to trace your roots.
Notice: Crestleaf is no longer in existence.
However, if you are one of the 33.3 million Americans of Irish ancestry help is close at hand.
You may be surprised to learn how many American celebrities have roots in the Emerald Isle.
The good folks at Crestleaf have compiled a list of 70 Irish ancestry resources to help you on your journey of family discovery and ancestral reconnection.
Requests for Genealogy Resources
Over the past 3 years I have received many e-mails from readers asking me for a list of genealogy resources to help them with their ancestral searches. I must confess, I was a little overwhelmed at the thought of compiling this list.
Oh boy, did I do a happy dance once I discovered the work was already completed. Crestleaf, a genealogy resource company that helps people create, chronicle, and connect their family history, compiled an in-depth list of Irish genealogical research resources.
I book marked their page immediately, and with their permission I'm delighted to share it with you today. There's no point in recreating the wheel when the Irish genealogy wheel has already been created by Crestleaf.
And so today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Crestleaf and their extensive genealogical resources...
Table of Contents
Crestleaf - Capture Your Family's Story
With over 90 million family records in the United States alone, Crestleaf is an online collaboration tool for families to document their family history.
They are also a leading provider of free genealogy information, including a list of over 70 Irish genealogy resources.
Crestleaf feels there is a story trapped behind every family photo. Their family tree builder and timeline helps you remember these stories and digitally preserve special moments in chronological order that you never wish to forget.
Engage with family members by creating a timeline of key family moments, historical events and upload family photos to bring your family narrative to life. You can even invite family members to collaborate on your family tree no matter where they are in the world.
Since historic records and stories are widely dispersed amongst relatives, ease of collaboration on your family tree is a must!
Crestleaf allows casual genealogists to store all of the history they’ve gathered without being forced to pay a monthly subscription -- so you’ll always have access to your digitally-preserved family memories.
Believe it or not, Crestleaf allows you to store up to 1 GB of photographs free of charge.
Check them out and start building your Crestleaf Family Tree for free!
Growing Up In An Irish Family
Crestleaf has also provided some fun, Irish-related genealogy content on their blog:
I love this infographic dedicated to those of us who grew up in an Irish family. Our Irish heritage and crazy ways run far deeper than simply celebrating St. Patrick’s Day once a year.
We love potatoes and tea and a drop of beer every now and then, but we're always proud of our Irish roots.
Image Credit: 17 Ways You Know You Grew Up In An Irish Family
10 Facts About Irish Americans
I really enjoy the Crestleaf blog, and the creativity they bring to all of their posts and graphics. Check out this link for another wonderful infographic by Crestleaf, with some interesting facts about Irish-Americans.
10 Interesting Facts About Irish-Americans You Might Not Know
And Crestleaf is not only about Irish genealogy.
No matter what genealogical ingredients went in to your melting pot, Crestleaf has resources to help you on your journey of discovery.
Thank You To Crestleaf
I truly hope that through these resources you'll discover a treasury of knowledge, fill in the gaps in your family history, discover new branches of your family tree, or unearth deep and meaningful roots that connect you to your past.
And I wish to extend my gratitude to the folks at Crestleaf for their diligent work, and research into Irish surnames, genealogy libraries, and immigration records. Thank you for allowing me to share your resources here on my blog.
Wishing all of my readers every success as you search for long lost ancestors from days gone by.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some more ramblings you might find interesting....
Justine Hennessy
Thank you for a new source of information. My husband's Hennessy ancestry is from Ireland and my Whaley ancestry is from Cork County but that's as far as I've gotten. I'm hoping as more church records are digitized, my ancestors will appear.
Irish American Mom
Dear Justine - I hope someday you'll be able to find your ancestors from County Cork. My family are all from Cork and in West Cork a fairly common name is Whooley and Wholey (it is pronounced Whelly) - Your Whaley ancestors' name may have changed slightly upon arriving in the US. Wishing your every success and hours of enjoyment as you continue on your search.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Ray Brown
Dear Mairead,
I didn't know where to put this so I am writing it here and you can take it off after reading it. I am thinking a good blog would be what is now on Irish Central. In Sligo, the American ambassador was jeered and the people protested the water rates and American wars when he was unveiling a statue to the brave Irish who fought and died in the America Civil War, brave heroes who recently, at that time, came over from the suffering in Ireland.
I don't believe in all our crazy wars either and I understand water taxes are hurting people, but I don't agree with attempts at dishonering brave Irish in our history. If they want to protest, I would tell them go to the American Embassy and they can have my blessing, but not in a small town in Sligo to dishonor our brave Irish souls. Irish Central said they did not receive a good education on this history in schools and I did not either, but I learned a great deal by reading on my own. If some of those poor souls need a history lesson I will be glad to help them. Ray Brown, M.A. Recently retired special education teacher.
Irish American Mom
Dear Ray - I had not heard of this incident until I read your comment. How sad that some people would choose to disrespect our brave Irish heroes from years gone by. Like you, stories such as this sadden me. I believe everyone has a right to their views, but dishonoring the dead is simply not acceptable to me. I concur with your reaction to such disrespectful displays.
Take care,
Mairéad
Martin Shortt
Martin Shortt here. We have heritage and cultural tourist attraction in Loughcrew Ireland. Do you think we could link together for our mutual benefit. Look forward to your thoughts. Regards. Martin Shortt.
Irish American Mom
Hi Martin - I would love to feature Loughcrew on my blog. I'll e-mail to see if you would like to write a guest post.
All the best,
Mairéad
Neo
Crestleaf doesn't exists anymore
Irish American Mom
Thanks for letting me know. I will deactivate those links and let people know.
All the best,
Mairéad