By
By
Webinar Library
DNA Testing Places and Ethnicities Ireland

Using DNA To Identify Irish Ancestral Locations

Michelle Leonard
Mar 6, 2024
3.3K views
CC
Want to watch the full webinar?
Join now to access all 2,318 webinars and unlock all features.
Join now
Syllabus
Chat Log
Join now

Content

Play. Playing.
Welcome
2m 36s
Play. Playing.
Speaker's Introduction
1m 44s
Play. Playing.
Introduction
9m 34s
Play. Playing.
The Birthplace Location Problem
11m 22s
Play. Playing.
Traditional Evidence
5m 14s
Play. Playing.
DNA Strategy Plan
20m 45s
Play. Playing.
Traditional Research
10m 22s
Play. Playing.
Other Mysteries
7m 19s
Play. Playing.
Announcements / prizes
3m 23s
Play. Playing.
Questions / answers
10m 58s

About this webinar

For many of us who have Irish ancestry, the major question is ‘but where in Ireland?’ Like millions of other descendants of Irish emigrants, Michelle Leonard has Irish ancestors who left Ireland in the 1840s-60s and on nearly all documents she can find for them their birthplaces were given simply as ‘Ireland’. In many cases traditional research is not able to narrow down exactly where in Ireland our ancestors lived and trying to trace them across the seas is often a ‘needle in a haystack’ endeavour. In this personal case study, Michelle will outline how she managed to identify exact locations in Ireland for her Irish lines using the power of DNA testing and will provide strategies and top tips that could help you do the same.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Michelle Leonard
Michelle Leonard is a Scottish professional genealogist, DNA detective, freelance researcher, speaker, author and historian. She runs her own genealogy and DNA consultancy business, Genes & Genealogy, and specialises in DNA Detective work part
Learn more...

Comments (167)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1000 characters remaining
Cancel Submit

Sort by Newest
Sort by Close.
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Likes
  1. HS
    Helen Schenkelaars
    9 months ago

    Michelle was brilliant as always! I’ve used this strategy on one Irish line without being totally sure about the validity of my approach, so great to know I was on the right lines. Sadly haven’t yet been able to find the records I need though to really make my body of evidence sufficient.

    Reply
  2. MM
    Merilee Mulvey
    9 months ago

    Excellent content and presentation. Thank You!

    Reply
  3. KL
    Kathy Lay
    10 months ago

    I loved your presentation. It was informative and fun.

    Reply
  4. XM
    Xana Miller
    10 months ago

    Thank you

    Reply
  5. DB
    Diane Burkeen
    10 months ago

    Packed with information. Definitely a watch again webinar with many offshoots to explore. Excellent syllabus.

    Reply
  6. MC
    Maria Capaldi
    10 months ago

    I love case studies and love hearing Michelle especially when it comes to finding locations of Irish ancestors!

    Reply
  7. KJ
    Kathi Jacobs
    10 months ago

    Fantastic!! I’ve attended webinars about using DNA before however no one provided such a clear, step-by-step roadmap for using DNA matches to zero in on my Irish ancestors. I can’t wait to apply the steps provided to my research.

    Reply
  8. JM
    Jeff Moore
    10 months ago

    Today’s webinar is the first I’ve attended. It was awesome! Michelle’s presentation was relatable even though I am a novice with DNA research. I am considering becoming a member on the strength of just this first experience. Thank you for providing such useful content!

    Reply
Show all comments

Related Webinars

54:29
Places and EthnicitiesWebtember
Irish Landed Estates
Natalie Bodle
1.0K views
CC
Irish Landed Estates
Prior to the 20th century, the vast majority of Irish people lived in rural areas, leasing land and property from the landowners who owned large estates, some of which were thousands of acres in size. These estates, often managed by land agents, generated large amounts of records, a number of which are particularly useful for expanding the knowledge of your ancestors. If you have exhausted the civil registration and church records, these records could be very useful in providing further information about earlier generations who lived on an estate and where exactly they lived through records such as rentals, leases and estate maps. Other valuable documents within estate records include military muster rolls, correspondence, land agent notebooks, wage books, account books and emigration records, all of which have the potential to provide information about your ancestors. Following the Great Famine, many landlords fell into financial difficulty and the government established the Encumbered Estates Court which allowed for the sale of their estates. The records generated include information about tenants and their leases that often contain really valuable information to expand your family tree.
Places and EthnicitiesWebtember
Irish Landed Estates
CC
Natalie Bodle
1.0K views
Prior to the 20th century, the vast majority of Irish people lived in rural areas, leasing land and property from the landowners who owned large estates, some of which were thousands of acres in size. These estates, often managed by land agents, generated large amounts of records, a number of which are particularly useful for expanding the knowledge of your ancestors. If you have exhausted the civil registration and church records, these records could be very useful in providing further information about earlier generations who lived on an estate and where exactly they lived through records such as rentals, leases and estate maps. Other valuable documents within estate records include military muster rolls, correspondence, land agent notebooks, wage books, account books and emigration records, all of which have the potential to provide information about your ancestors. Following the Great Famine, many landlords fell into financial difficulty and the government established the Encumbered Estates Court which allowed for the sale of their estates. The records generated include information about tenants and their leases that often contain really valuable information to expand your family tree.
Fri, September 27 2024: 16:45 UTC
Register for free
1:06:56
Down Under SeriesPlaces and Ethnicities
Getting Out of the Archives and Into the Pubs to Trace Your Irish Ancestry
Eliza Watson
932 views
CC
Getting Out of the Archives and Into the Pubs to Trace Your Irish Ancestry
This webinar demonstrates how Eliza Watson traced her Coffey ancestry line back eight generations from southwest Wisconsin to Ireland in 1705. An amazing feat due to the lack of Irish historical records. Her success was thanks to a newfound Irish Daly relation, extensive cemetery research, and a local historian. The webinar provides creative ways to break down an Irish research brick wall.
Down Under SeriesPlaces and Ethnicities
Getting Out of the Archives and Into the Pubs to Trace Your Irish Ancestry
CC
Eliza Watson
932 views
This webinar demonstrates how Eliza Watson traced her Coffey ancestry line back eight generations from southwest Wisconsin to Ireland in 1705. An amazing feat due to the lack of Irish historical records. Her success was thanks to a newfound Irish Daly relation, extensive cemetery research, and a local historian. The webinar provides creative ways to break down an Irish research brick wall.
Wed, May 1 2024: 2:00 UTC
Register for free
1:28:45
Places and EthnicitiesO Canada
Irish ancestors – Top 5 websites you need to know about
Natalie Bodle
2.5K views
CC
Irish ancestors – Top 5 websites you need to know about
This webinar is a romp through the top 5 websites where you will find information on your Irish ancestors. Best of all most of them are free! This is ideal if you are at the start of your Irish ancestral research and will give you a good grounding before delving into the more obscure record sets.
Places and EthnicitiesO Canada
Irish ancestors – Top 5 websites you need to know about
CC
Natalie Bodle
2.5K views
This webinar is a romp through the top 5 websites where you will find information on your Irish ancestors. Best of all most of them are free! This is ideal if you are at the start of your Irish ancestral research and will give you a good grounding before delving into the more obscure record sets.
Fri, January 5 2024: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
50:19
Places and Ethnicities
Unearthing the treasures in the Irish Registry of Deeds
Natalie Bodle
1.0K views
CC
Unearthing the treasures in the Irish Registry of Deeds
The Registry of Deeds based in Dublin has been in existence since 1704 and manages the legal registration of property. Less well known is that it is also a repository for genealogical treasures such as wills, property leases and marriage agreements. People named in these records include the principal parties and also wider family members and witnesses. It is also possible to find records by location. These records are available as microfilms on the Family Search website although they are not indexed there. This webinar will cover different methods of searching within and accessing these valuable records.
Places and Ethnicities
Unearthing the treasures in the Irish Registry of Deeds
CC
Natalie Bodle
1.0K views
The Registry of Deeds based in Dublin has been in existence since 1704 and manages the legal registration of property. Less well known is that it is also a repository for genealogical treasures such as wills, property leases and marriage agreements. People named in these records include the principal parties and also wider family members and witnesses. It is also possible to find records by location. These records are available as microfilms on the Family Search website although they are not indexed there. This webinar will cover different methods of searching within and accessing these valuable records.
Fri, April 14 2023: 12:00 UTC
Register for free
Advanced
1:27:48
DNA TestingPlaces and Ethnicities
Hints & Tips for Solving Irish Cases of Unknown Parentage Using DNA
Maurice Gleeson
2.2K views
CC
Hints & Tips for Solving Irish Cases of Unknown Parentage Using DNA
There are many examples of Unknown Parentage cases in Ireland - illegal adoptees, a foundling grandparent, or simply an Irish Brick Wall. This talk explores the approach to solving these cases, the challenges faced with Irish records, and some hints & tips to overcome them using DNA.
DNA TestingPlaces and Ethnicities
Hints & Tips for Solving Irish Cases of Unknown Parentage Using DNA
CC
Maurice Gleeson
2.2K views
There are many examples of Unknown Parentage cases in Ireland - illegal adoptees, a foundling grandparent, or simply an Irish Brick Wall. This talk explores the approach to solving these cases, the challenges faced with Irish records, and some hints & tips to overcome them using DNA.
Wed, February 8 2023: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
1:33:11
Historical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Irish Emigration to North America: Before, during and after Famine
Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv
2.0K views
CC
Irish Emigration to North America: Before, during and after Famine
Identify push factors to emigration (internal issues influencing emigration): Identify pull factors to emigration (external forces encouraging emigration) • Discuss factors and resources for each time period • Emigration pre-1717 • Scots-Irish (1717 - 1783) • Revolutionary War to the Famine (1783-1845) • Famine years and after • How to use to find places of origin
Historical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Irish Emigration to North America: Before, during and after Famine
CC
Paul Milner, FUGA, MDiv
2.0K views
Identify push factors to emigration (internal issues influencing emigration): Identify pull factors to emigration (external forces encouraging emigration) • Discuss factors and resources for each time period • Emigration pre-1717 • Scots-Irish (1717 - 1783) • Revolutionary War to the Famine (1783-1845) • Famine years and after • How to use to find places of origin
Wed, June 22 2022: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
47:16
Places and Ethnicities
Who were the Scots-Irish?
Natalie Bodle
992 views
CC
Who were the Scots-Irish?
Known in their homeland as Ulster-Scots, these mainly Lowland Scots left their homeland and settled in Ulster during the Plantation, sometimes staying only for a few generations and then many made their way to the New World. Why did these Scots come to Ulster and why did they then subsequently leave? What were the push and pull factors? Why did Presbyterian ministers have such sway over these people? We will look at the perils they faced on their transatlantic journey and what they found when they arrived in the new world. We will examine the range of records and sources where you may find your Ulster-Scots ancestors and that can tell you more about this pioneering ethnic group that produced a number of US Presidents and millions of descendants worldwide today.
Places and Ethnicities
Who were the Scots-Irish?
CC
Natalie Bodle
992 views
Known in their homeland as Ulster-Scots, these mainly Lowland Scots left their homeland and settled in Ulster during the Plantation, sometimes staying only for a few generations and then many made their way to the New World. Why did these Scots come to Ulster and why did they then subsequently leave? What were the push and pull factors? Why did Presbyterian ministers have such sway over these people? We will look at the perils they faced on their transatlantic journey and what they found when they arrived in the new world. We will examine the range of records and sources where you may find your Ulster-Scots ancestors and that can tell you more about this pioneering ethnic group that produced a number of US Presidents and millions of descendants worldwide today.
Fri, April 8 2022: 9:00 UTC
Register for free
1:01:08
Historical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Finding your ancestors in Irish land valuation records
Natalie Bodle
655 views
CC
Finding your ancestors in Irish land valuation records
The Tithe records, the Townland Valuation and Griffith’s Primary Valuation records are used as Census substitutes for 19th century Ireland. Griffith’s Valuation was also updated on a regular basis up to the 1930’s and we’ll look at those records too. This webinar will cover the key elements of each record, teasing out valuable information, along with where you can access these records. We’ll include search tips and techniques and use a case study to trace a family home from the early 19th century up to the present day, including how to pinpoint your ancestors house on a map and discover if it is still standing today.
Historical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Finding your ancestors in Irish land valuation records
CC
Natalie Bodle
655 views
The Tithe records, the Townland Valuation and Griffith’s Primary Valuation records are used as Census substitutes for 19th century Ireland. Griffith’s Valuation was also updated on a regular basis up to the 1930’s and we’ll look at those records too. This webinar will cover the key elements of each record, teasing out valuable information, along with where you can access these records. We’ll include search tips and techniques and use a case study to trace a family home from the early 19th century up to the present day, including how to pinpoint your ancestors house on a map and discover if it is still standing today.
Thu, March 24 2022: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:25:00
Places and Ethnicities
‘Hidden Treasures’: Discovering Local Sources in Your Irish Research
David Ryan
1.3K views
CC
‘Hidden Treasures’: Discovering Local Sources in Your Irish Research
When many start their Irish family history research they often head straight for the larger national repositories and their collections. Census records and parish registers are a great starting point for our research but don’t always help you in breaking through those brick walls. What many overlook when researching their Irish family history is the treasure trove of local repositories and the records they contain. These include street directories, cemetery registers, maps, school rolls, workhouse records and even personal family archives. The majority of Irish counties on both sides of the border have their own dedicated county library and archive which are run by local councils. This webinar will examine some of the records contained in local repositories and how best to use them for genealogical research.
Places and Ethnicities
‘Hidden Treasures’: Discovering Local Sources in Your Irish Research
CC
David Ryan
1.3K views
When many start their Irish family history research they often head straight for the larger national repositories and their collections. Census records and parish registers are a great starting point for our research but don’t always help you in breaking through those brick walls. What many overlook when researching their Irish family history is the treasure trove of local repositories and the records they contain. These include street directories, cemetery registers, maps, school rolls, workhouse records and even personal family archives. The majority of Irish counties on both sides of the border have their own dedicated county library and archive which are run by local councils. This webinar will examine some of the records contained in local repositories and how best to use them for genealogical research.
Wed, March 9 2022: 19:00 UTC
Register for free