PRESS RELEASE
Genealogy Course for Monaghan Diaspora
visiting from abroad announced
Monaghan, Ireland, Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A unique
Monaghan-focused Family History initiative is being organised as part of The
Gathering 2013. It will provide two 4-day training courses within the county
for tourists tracing their Monaghan ancestors.
The project is
entitled ‘County Monaghan Genealogy – home to the little
hills’. It will give participants information on the genealogical sources
available, the cultural history of County Monaghan and the diversity of origin
of its people. The courses will take
place in North Monaghan from Monday to Thursday, 14-17 October, and in
Carrickmacross from Monday to Thursday, 21-24 October. The courses are designed
for individuals and groups with Monaghan ancestry living overseas and members
of Irish societies and social clubs abroad.
This
project is organised by Clogher Historical Society/Cumann Seanchais Chlochair,
Monaghan County Library and the County Monaghan Heritage Gathering Committee. We
would like to acknowledge the support of Cavan-Monaghan LEADER which is funding
the project. The project is also being
supported by the County Monaghan Fund and Monaghan Genealogy. The project will
be delivered by Ancestor Network Ltd, a professional genealogy company.
Substantial
funding for the project has resulted in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for
overseas visitors to come to Monaghan to trace their roots, experience the
warmth of a Monaghan welcome and explore its rich culture and history.
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Note to the Editor
About the Training Courses
Courses
will take place in October or November 2013 (Monday-Thursday and will run from
9am to 4pm each day with two evening sessions each week from 7pm to 9pm. Training packs for participants will include
a surname-map of County Monaghan.
Training
is aimed at roots tourists coming to County Monaghan to trace their roots,
especially those staying overnight in the county, who will be prioritised in
the allocation of places.
Training
modules will include:
·
A broad view of the history of
the County Monaghan taking in key periods and subjects such as: the Plantation,
famine, occupations, emigration, partition, the Troubles, estates, language,
folklore, built & natural heritage, families, religion. This module will
set County Monaghan in a national and international context.
·
A close inspection of sources
for Monaghan genealogy such as: church
& civil records, estate records, valuation records, shipping records,
census, convict records, school records, military records, wills, election
records, printed records, DNA genealogy and online sources.
Site
visits and cultural events will form an integral part of the training and might
include: ancestral homes, workhouses, graveyards, library, museum,
archaeological sites, estates, music, dance, language events, storytelling or
walks. There will be an emphasis on active participation in events, rather than
merely watching.
Training
outputs for participants will include:
·
The ability to identify, locate
and reference genealogical sources for the county.
·
Ability to assess and organise
genealogical information and construct a basic family tree.
·
Basic knowledge of the history
of the county.
·
Basic knowledge of the geography
of the county including land divisions.
·
Familiarity with emigration
patterns and the reasons for emigration.
·
An appreciation of the cultural
history of County Monaghan and the diversity of origins of County Monaghan
people.
Clogher Historical Society/Cumann Seanchais Chlochair (CHS) is a
local historical society founded in 1952. It aims to promote the study of local
history in the diocese of Clogher and to promote the area’s historical links
with the Irish counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Donegal with
other places. As the diocese straddles the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland
border, CHS has a strong a cross-border and cross-community ethos. It is a
non-profit organisation and a registered charity. CHS frequently works with
other organisations towards achieving its aims. (www.clogherhistory.ie)
Monaghan County Libraries serve and enrich people’s lives by providing a
modern library and information service which stimulates knowledge and supports
lifelong learning, imagination and recreation.
The role of Monaghan County Libraries has been redefined from a place
simply to borrow books to one which allows access to the world of information
and supports all members of the community in their quest for knowledge,
education and self development. Our role is to provide accurate and up to date
information. Our services include lending of books, music cd’s, dvd’s,
magazines, audio books; local history and genealogical services; a range of
outreach services from the young to the old; free Internet and WIFI access;
reader development and literacy programmes; inter library loan service; school
Library Service; and lifelong learning. (www.monaghan.ie/en/services/library/)
Cavan-Monaghan LEADER
Cavan-Monaghan LEADER is a joint venture between Breffni Integrated
Limited and Monaghan Integrated Development Limited for the delivery of the
Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in the Cavan-Monaghan region. CML was
established in 2008 and is the primary rural development organisation in the
region. Cavan-Monaghan
LEADER’s vision is to develop sustainable rural communities throughout the
Cavan-Monaghan region through the provision of a programme that will enhance
the social, natural, human, physical and financial resources available to
individuals and communities. (www.cmleader.ie)
Monaghan Genealogy
Monaghan Genealogy is a non-profit organisation that aims to provide
information on the genealogy of County Monaghan families. It is a member of the
Irish Family History Foundation and is currently uploading church records for
the county to the RootsIreland.ie website. Monaghan Genealogy is working in the
longer term towards providing a genealogy centre for the county. (http://monaghan.rootsireland.ie/)
The County Monaghan Fund
The County Monaghan Fund was established in January 2004. It
is the first county philanthropic fund in the Republic of Ireland. It was set
up with the support of the Community Foundation for Ireland and a committee of
12 civic minded Monaghan people representing all areas of the county. As the Fund grows, it generates income for
community and charitable projects in County Monaghan. The local committee have
managed to raise the Fund to €350,000 to date and it is still growing. (www.countymonaghanfund.com)
The Gathering Monaghan
Over 70 million people worldwide claim
Irish ancestry. The Gathering Ireland 2013 provides the perfect excuse to reach
out to those who have moved away, their relatives, friends and descendants, and
invite them home. The Gathering is the people’s
party. It kicked off in spectacular style at the New Year’s Eve Festival in
Dublin and is being celebrated through gatherings of the people and Ireland’s
major festivals during 2013. So now it is over to you. It is in your hands. Be
part of it. (www.thegatheringireland.com)
Ancestor Network Ltd.
Ancestor
Network Limited was established in May 2009 to help promote knowledge and
learning of genealogy (family history) and heraldry in Ireland. Ancestor Network is a professional
genealogy organisation that helps people search for their Irish ancestry
and discover their family history and surname origin. The company
is focused on Irish Family History or Genealogical Services including;
professional research and advice, teaching, tours, DNA testing, and book sales.
Ancestor Network also advises on DNA tests for genealogy, heraldry, and
adoption searches. The company websites
are www.ancestor.ie and www.24-7genealogist.com.
For further information
please contact:
John Hamrock
Managing Director
Ancestor Network Ltd.
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Ireland
Telephone: +353 (0)87 0505296
Twitter: @ancestornetwork,
