When I started this journey of researching my paternal family name, I did not expect to find so many derivations of the spelling nor the number of people with that last name between 1795 and 1930 in Ireland. I also did not expect to find them in the locations I found either. I had been under the (obviously wrong) impression that my ancestor(s) came from what is today called the Republic of Ireland (Co. Cork). As it turns out, they are pretty much completely from today’s Northern Ireland. Of course, back in the day, it was simply Ireland. Most of the time in the census of the United State, they just stated they were from Ireland, if not born in the US. Continue reading “800 McCrystals and counting”
Category: Genealogy
A widow who left 6 children a shilling each
The research and effort I have been putting into this project has been exhausting, and at times depressing. I had decided I needed to review all the tabs in my browsers I have open (dozens!) and get some closure on a few. I happened upon things I evidently found months ago and did not relate to at the time. I am easily distracted by shiny objects in the rearview mirror so anything can happen to my concentration. A few open tabs were enlightening, but this one was moderately entertaining. I can’t decide whether the old lady really was a brat and liked conflict or if she was settling some scores. Her will, to me, was a hoot! Continue reading “A widow who left 6 children a shilling each”
The genealogical journey – McCrystal/McCristle
When I picked up the threads of all my old research, I had no idea the journey I was embarking on. This has been an incredible 11 months. I had the basic DNA tests done from both My Heritage and Ancestry, became a Green Room member, bought a database program (Family Historian7) that I am happy with, found out that my James, in all likelihood, came from Northern Ireland, not Co. Cork as I believed for 3/4 of my life and so much more. Amazing what, after 20 years of ignoring a subject, can be revealed via the search engines and artificial intelligence if one just asks the right questions. Continue reading “The genealogical journey – McCrystal/McCristle”
Breaking down the brick walls – Where did we come from?
A misconception, call it misinformation:
When you absolutely know your ancestor came from a specific area and time of history, why would you (or in this case, “ME”) look anywhere else even when confronted with conflicting information?
Yep. I was completely wrong! Sadly, I was many miles from my hometown when many of the elders related to my family were talking to strangers researching their book about the Rock Fences of the Bluegrass area of Kentucky. Their reminiscing’s were documented as the absolute truth about where my ancestors came from in Ireland and the stories behind those journeys. Continue reading “Breaking down the brick walls – Where did we come from?”
2026 – a year to travel again?
For the past 7 or 8 months I have been back to digging into my ancestry.
by goodvibrations/Stocksy
I had given this research up in the late 20-aughts because I felt I had fully explored everything available and had reached a dead-end. The proverbial “brick wall”. I was tired of the blood running in my eyes as I battered at the wall and got nowhere. I had been using Family Tree Maker and even that program had been sold so many times and not updated or maintained. All roads pointed to “give it up”. Continue reading “2026 – a year to travel again?”