Irish Ancestry
Since becoming involved with the O'Donnell Clan history and activities, and especially since setting up this website, I have been bombarded with requests for help with ancestral research. Many call to my home in the hope that I can pinpoint where their ancestors came from. I tell them all the following.
Ancestral research in Ireland is not easy. Records of deaths, births and marriages only began about 1860. Up until 1922 many people didn't register at all. Why should they? Officialdom was in the hands of the British Government who at that time occupied all of Ireland against the will of the majority of the Irish people. And by registering, one was accepting their authority. Anyway, there was little or nothing to be gained by registering at that time. Under the Irish Free State (1922 onwards) all deaths, births and marriages were recorded properly.
I have two aunts who immigrated to the US in 1926. One is 93 and lives in Phila. the other 96 and lives in Stamford, Conn. When they applied for their Social Security they were asked to produce their Birth Certificate. On checking with the registrar in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, it transpired there was no record of their births.
In order to establish your 'Roots' it is essential to know the townland your ancestors came from. During the first half of the last century the population of Ireland was double what it is today. Thousands and thousands of O'Donnells lived in Co. Donegal at the time and thousands immigrated to the US, Canada, Australia and indeed to anywhere, as life here in Ireland was unbearable. They had little or no education as education was forbidden to Catholics at the time. Gaelic (Irish ) was the language spoken my the majority of them. Thus we find various spellings of their surname and Irish address.
It is strange that so many immigrants passed on so little information about their native home. These people were fleeing from poverty and destitution and found a new and better life in the new countries. It would seem as if they wished to obliterate the past from their minds.
If your ancestor was a criminal, then you are lucky! Records of criminals and their punishments are available. Or if your ancestor was of noble descent (like the O'Donnell blood line) or conformed to any religious persuasion other than Catholic you are also fortunate.
As the native Irish Catholics were very poor few could afford a headstone. Many, instead, erected a wooden cross which rotted after some years. Many stones used in the last century were sandstone and was placed horizontally over the grave. These weathered poorly and today are difficult to read. Sometimes after a shower of rain the inscription becomes more discernible. Otherwise rub fresh green grass over the inscription, this highlights the the face of the stone but not the indentations.
The above is my personal opinions and is meant as a forewarning, not as a discouragement.
Neither I nor the O'Donnell Clan Association ever become involved in ancestral research. There are people who do. They have lists of names for each townland. Some of these lists i.e. Tithe Applotments (1830's), Griffith's Valuation (1850's) and Census of various years are now available on the 'net' I believe. One site I would recommend is - http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html
V.O'Donnell.