Irish History and Genealogy Seminar hosted by TIARA and NEHGS

Last Saturday morning I attended the annual Irish History and Genealogy Seminar co-hosted by The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA) and the New England Historic and Genealogical Society (NEHGS) at the NEHGS library on Newbury Street in Boston. TIARA founder Marie Daly and author Christopher Kline were the highlighted presenters for the seminar.

Marie Daly led an excellent presentation on Irish research on the FamilySearch website, familysearch.org. Currently there are eight databases available for online research at familysearch.org:

• Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881
• Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898
• Ireland, Deaths, 1864-1870
• Ireland, Civil Registration Indexes, 1854-1958
• Ireland, Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920
• Ireland, Landed Estate Court Files, 1850-1885
• Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924
• Ireland, Tithe Applotment Books, 1814-1855

In addition to these robust online resources there are also a range of microfilm selections available through the Family History Library catalog, including:

• General Valuation Revision Lists
• Civil Registration Records
• Church Records
• Betham’s Will Abstracts

Other Irish records in the FHL catalog include deeds, school records, probate abstracts, freeholder’s lists, estate papers, and genealogical and heraldic records. For additional information Marie suggests consulting a wiki by Evva Benson, "Lesser Known Irish Sources at the Family History Library," located on the FamilySearch.org website at https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Lesser_Known_Irish_Sources_at_the_Family_History_Library.

Microfilms can be ordered through the familysearch.org website and delivered to a family history center for viewing. The cost to borrow a film for three months (short-term) is $7.50.

Christopher Kline, author of the book Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America's First Sports Hero, gave a fascinating and rousing presentation on the life and career of Irish hero and boxing legend John L. Sullivan, a native of Boston. For additional information about Christopher Kline and ordering information for his book please visit http://www.christopherklein.com/Home_Page.html and http://strongboybook.com.

For additional information about TIARA and upcoming events please visit the TIARA website at http://tiara.ie. For additional information about NEHGS please visit their website at http://www.americanancestors.org.