Post Archive by Year

On June 27th, AGI member Tony Hennessy kicked off the Association’s contribution to the National Archives of Ireland’s Evening Lecture Series with a well attended, splendid talk on records that might land your ancestors in gaol, titled ‘My ancestor was sent to jail – Hooray!‘ First he looked in detail at the records of Ireland’s most minor courts, the Petty Sessions, held at the National Archives. He gave an over view of the history of the courts, their jurisdiction and records, detailing what one might find in the  Petty Session Register Books. Not only are they an interesting commentary on social history, … Read More

AGI congratulates Dianne Snowden, AM, PhD, MAAGRA, on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services to heritage. Dianne is a professional genealogist and historian based in Tasmania and she is President of the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA). AAGRA is the accrediting body for professional genealogical researchers throughout Australia and New Zealand, comparable to AGI. Dianne is a regular visitor to Ireland for research purposes. With the Wicklow historian Joan Kavanagh she wrote Van Diemen’s Women – a History of Transportation to Tasmania, published in 2015 … Read More

Paul MacCotter, MA, Ph.D., MAGI As a genealogist and member of AGI I am proud to tell the tale of being ‘Oul Stock’ of ‘The Marsh’. ‘The Marsh’ is to Cork City what the Liberties is to Dublin, a residential area in the city center on the island between both branches of the River Lee. It is therefore not the ‘North Parish’ nor the ‘South Parish’, but the ‘Middle Parish’. The implication here is that the true Cork City person comes from the Middle Parish just like the true Londoner or Cockney must have been born within earshot of Bow … Read More

Accredited Genealogists Ireland is pleased to welcome its newest Member, Sandy O’Byrne, who was recently passed by AGI’s independent Board of Assessors. In 2012 Sandy obtained the Diploma in Family History from Independent Colleges, Dublin, in a programme run in conjunction with AGI. She is the fourth person to come through that course and gain membership of AGI. In 2014 she became an AGI Affiliate, entering into a period of close association with the organisation, continuing professional development and one-to-one mentoring. Sandy is the sixth Affiliate to progress to membership. Before developing a career in genealogy, Sandy graduated from Trinity … Read More

The OPW have just published a major study into Barryscourt Castle, Co. Cork. The main finding was a C14 date of circa 1400 for the building of the castle, and this helps revise the received wisdom for dating such castles, now seen as a century too late! The genealogical angle is the paper in the study entitled ‘Barryscourt Castle: the historical context’ by Paul MacCotter MAGI. While primarily a work of history, there is a genealogical element to the paper as it outlines the ramification of the de Barry lineage in medieval times. The Barrys, or course, were the leading … Read More

Accredited Genealogists Ireland feature in the National Archives of Ireland Evening Lecture Series, which commences on 27th June 2017 at 6pm.  AGI members will be giving the following talks: 27th June My ancestors were sent to jail – hurray! Tony Hennessy, Accredited Genealogists Ireland 4th July Irish emigration records: an illustrated discussion of sources for researching an ancestor’s migration from Ireland. Brian Mitchell, Accredited Genealogists Ireland 11th July Newspapers as a source for genealogical research. Georgina Scally, Accredited Genealogists Ireland 18th July Tracing an Irish military ancestor: an examination of 19th and 20th century records that document the Irish in … Read More

AGI’s Members and Affiliates had a very enjoyable and informative visit to New Ross in May. The CPD event was organised by Ann Kissane, AGI Affiliate, who is based in the Co. Wexford town. It included a tour of the wonderful Ros Tapestry and the Dunbrody Famine Ship, which is an authentic reproduction of the original 1840s vessel that was built in Quebec. There was also a series of talks in which Members and Affiliates learned about the Graves family and its shipping business, as well as details of the business records currently being catalogued

Ann Kissane, AGI Affiliate, New Ross SIR MICHAEL KEANE, GOVERNOR OF ASSAM Michael Keane was born in 1874, son of Jeremiah Keane and Mary Kissane from Barraduff, Lisselton,  Listowel, Co Kerry, Ireland. He was one of seven children four boys and three girls. He was educated in St Michael’s in Listowel. In 1878 “Exhibitions” were established by the then Board of Education, to help educate bright students whose families might not be able to afford further schooling. It seems Michael took these exams first in his primary school, St Michael’s Listowel, in 1888. The money he was awarded funded his education … Read More

Pamela Bradley, FAGI, Co. Wicklow Susanna Maria Sautelle (1716-1800) was the daughter of Major Francis Sautelle, a Huguenot refugee who settled in Waterford.  Family lore claims that she eloped at a young age with John Roberts (1712-1796) also from Waterford, much to the displeasure of her father.  This portrait is thought to depict her with a wedding veil thrown back. Susanna’s husband John Roberts became a successful architect.  He designed and supervised the construction of many buildings, particularly in Co. Waterford, including the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic cathedrals in Waterford city. Supposedly Waterford is the only place in … Read More

AGI participated in the recent Adult Learners’ Festival in association with the National Library of Ireland.  AGI Members delivered a series of lectures and workshops for family historians during the week.  The lectures were delivered by John Grenham and Helen Kelly.  Both were well attended, with over 60 in the audience.  The talks were followed by the workshops, with four AGI Members participating on each day.  The members involved were Linda Clayton, Aiden Feerick, Máire Mac Conghail,  Hilda McGauley, Nicola Morris, Anne-Marie Smith and Joan Sharkey. This was the third year of AGI’s participation in the Adult Learners’ event and … Read More