Genealogy Course for Monaghan Diaspora visiting from abroad announced

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.

If you are a native of Monaghan or know someone who might be interested, contact: John Hamrock, info@ancestor.ie, Tel: +353 87 0505296, Twitter: @ancestornetwork, www.facebook.com/MonaghanGenealogyTraining.

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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

Web: www.ancestor.ie

Email: info@ancestor.ie

Twitter: @ancestornetwork,

www.facebook.com/MonaghanGenealogyTraining.