Get ready for St. Patrick's Day with Irish Research!

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Northside, Cincinnati 
From the Collection of The Public
Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Dave Schroeder

Lee Ann McNabb

Saturday, March 9, 1:30 pm
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Huenefeld Tower Room

Irish immigrants came in search of a better life and religious freedom. They attended Irish Catholic churches like St. Patrick's in Northside, worked long hours and built a new life for themselves and their families. Learn more about the living conditions the Irish endured on both sides of the Atlantic from Dave Schroeder, MSLS. Mr. Schroeder is a nationally known speaker on Irish research, the Director of the Kenton County Kentucky Library and President of the Friends of Kentucky Public Archives Association.

Immediately following, Lee Ann McNabb will share several Irish genealogy websites. Lee Ann is a Reference Librarian at the PLCH with a special interest in Irish research. The program is co-sponsored by PLCH and the Hamilton County Genealogical Society. Anyone interested in Irish genealogy and history is invited to attend this free event.

Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day with a little Irish research!

Source:
Kraemer Art Co., Cincinnati and Berlin. "St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Northside, Cincinnati." Identifier: ocp000211pccpc. Postcard. Digital image. SWON Libraries. Greater Cincinnati Memory Project. http://www.cincinnatimemory.org/ : accessed 4 March 2013.



Submitted by Liz Stratton

We've Been Busy

As I write this, I am aware that many members of our Chapter live out-of-town.  Through this blog, we've heard from some of you. A couple have even volunteered to be a part of one of our Long-Range Planning Committees.  One of our members from California contacted us after reading a post on our facebook page that had relevant information for one of her ancestors.  In our correspondence, she told me that she will be attending the NGS conference in Cincinnati.  It is a pleasure to know that this blog may have relevance for not only our "in town" members, but also our "out-of-town" members.  We love hearing from you.

Those of us who live here have had some wonderful educational opportunities over the past couple of months.  During February, our Program Chair Linda Dietrich arranged two behind-the-scenes visits at the Cincinnati History Library and Archives.  As the CHLA has a strict no camera policy, we were able to get permission to take a couple of pictures in their Reading Room.  The tour proved so popular that the tour had to be scheduled twice.

On Saturday, March 10th, our Irish Interest Chair Mary Ann Faloon and Membership Chair Eileen Muccino collaborated on a wonderful presentation about the conditions faced by the Irish in Cincinnati from the years 1850-1860.  About 40 people attended their presentation. A summary of the conditions the Irish confronted can be summed up in the sign below.

Eileen Muccino and Mary Ann Faloon

Despite the difficulties faced by our immigrants in Cincinnati, it was nice to hear that things were much better for the sons and daughters of the immigrants.  A study of the second generation showed that the Irish adapted to their new environment and that only 9% of the men in the second generation were employed as unskilled laborers.  Most made significant moves toward becoming part of the middle class.  As Linda Dietrich commented during the question and answer period, the Irish story seems to be one that we've all heard before as each immigrant group tries to assimilate and become American.

If you live in this region, now may be a good time to update your calendar and take advantage of the April Chapter Meeting, the OGS Conference in Toledo and the NGS Conference that we are hosting in May. You can find out what some of the opportunities in this area by clicking on the calendar that is a part of this blog.  

We love hearing from you.  Consider adding a comment to this post. Help us get to know YOU.  Give us suggestions. Let your voice be a part of the discussion.

Submitted by:  Kathy Reed

khreed@cinci.rr.com

Put HCGS in the subject line.

Griffith's Valuation with Mary Ann Faloon

Mary Ann Faloon

Mary Ann Faloon, Chairman of the Irish Interest Group for the Hamilton County Genealogical Society was the Guest Speaker for the Kenton County Library's Congenealogy Group.  Due to the current renovations at the library, the meeting was held at the Baker-Hunt Arts and Cultural Center on Greenup St. in Covington, Kentucky.

Those in attendance were really in for a treat.  Learning how to navigate Irish genealogical records can be a daunting task.  Mary Ann was able to lead us through the various kinds of records available for researching Irish ancestors.  Tithes were collected to support the Church of Ireland.  The "County Cess" was created to support the needs of the counties.  The Griffith's Valuation was based on any occupant of the land, regardless of whether or not they owned land. 

Various acts passed in 1826, 1848 and 1852 determined what was to be assessed.  After 1838 the country was divided into Poor Law Unions and after 1852, all assessments were organized by Poor Law Unions.

We learned of the unintended consequences that made it much more profitable for landlords to evict their tenants and level their homes rather than pay the assessed taxes.  Mary Ann tracked a few select individuals through the various records so that we could better understand how the records complement each other to provide a fairly good picture of an individual ancestor.

We were provided with a list of terms and related resources.  Some items, including the Griffith's Valuation, are available online.  Townland Maps and 6" Maps are available in the Genealogy and History Department of the Cincinnati Public Library. Still other records are on microfilm which can be ordered and placed on loan at your local Family History Library.

Once again I am amazed at the expertise that can be found within the membership of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society -- one more reason to become actively involved. 

Jan Mueller of the Kenton County Library was our host for the evening.  Anyone interested in other programs sponsored by the Congenealogy Group can ask to be put on a mailing list.  Jan's email address is:
jan.mueller@kentonlibrary.org

Listed are some online resources that can be used to aid you in your Irish Genealogy.

• Ordnance Survey Maps - http://shop.osi.ie/
• Griffith's Valuation - http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml
• Lists of Townlands by Civil Parish - http://www.seanruad.com/
• Catholic Parish Information - http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/counties/rcmaps/index.htm

Baker-Hunt Arts and Cultural Center