Eneclann traces Tom Cruise’s Irish family history

Our big news story is that Eneclann’s Fiona Fitzsimons and Helen Moss recently traced Tom Cruise’s Irish family history – you might have seen it mentioned on a number of TV and radio shows and in newspapers.  We found a fascinating and very unusual Irish family history, including an Anglo-Norman connection and a return to Ireland before the famine.  We have prepared a new online exhibition for the research, where you can find the full story, Tom’s family tree and video clips of his reaction.

What’s going on?

There’s a load of interesting history, genealogy and archaeology events coming up – too many in fact to detail in this newsletter!  Take a look at our events page for more information on Maritime Matters at Hook Head Lighthouse, Ancestral Connections genealogy summer school, genealogy workshops at the Ferns Gathering, From Known Knowns to Unknown Unknowns conference and the National Genealogical Society show in lovely Las Vegas!

Ancestral Connections: names, places and spaces is a University College Cork genealogy summer school offering a complete course in the latest Irish genealogy research.  All aspects of the subject are covered by a series of presentations and ‘hands on’ workshops given by a selection of Ireland’s leading genealogical lecturers and experts, including Eneclann’s Brian and Fiona. The latest online and offline sources are described and explained in presentations which will be of great interest to the seeker of Irish roots and family history, whether beginner or expert. Read more about what else is going on .

Topic Focus – Wills

This newsletter we launch our new and improved Irish Wills Package.  This special offer bundle is for genealogists who have some archival experience and are ready to extend their research range beyond the most commonly used sources.  Vicar’s Index to Prerogative Wills, Philimore and Thrift’s Indexes to Irish wills (as taken from the Diocesan Courts) and The Dublin Will & Grant books 1634-1858 are included in the package, recording nearly 200,000 wills, administrations and marriage licence bonds.

Remember also that these titles are available to purchase individually, either as CDs or to download.  You might also be interested in our World War I Irish Soldiers: Their Final Testament. During the war soldiers sent to the front line were encouraged to write their last will and testament, if they did not survive these wills were registered, 9,000 of these wills are deposited with the National Archives of Ireland. The index contains an estimated 18,000+ names and is fully searchable.

Genealogical Advisory Service at the National Archives of Ireland

Just a reminder that you can still avail of the free genealogy advisory service at The National Archives of Ireland from� 10am to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.  Some of the foremost experts on genealogy in Ireland are on-call in the National Archives to answer your family history queries.

The genealogy service marks the successful collaboration of Eneclann and Ancestor Network, in partnership with the NAI, who bring together the talent and skill of some of Ireland best known genealogists.�

No booking is required, but access to the genealogist on-duty is on a first come, first served basis.

New series of WDYTYA? Australia

The fifth season of Who Do You Think You Are? began on Tuesday 2nd April.

We did the Irish research for this series, as indeed we have done for the earlier seasons.

You can watch this series if you’re in Australia at 7:30pm on Tuesdays on SBS One. Read more about the celebrity stories featuring in this series

Congratulations to the Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project

Eneclann would like to extend a hearty congratulations to the Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project, which was listed amongst the top ‘places that can change your child’s life’, by Keith Bellows, Vice President of the National Geographic Society.  In an interview with CNN Travel, Keith Bellows identified this community project as one of the outstanding ‘slice-of-life, age appropriate ideas for special places that offer life experiences and peeks into different cultures’.� Read more about the project.

Competition results

Congrats to our prize draw winners from last month’s St Patrick’s Family History Centre in the Discover Ireland Centre in Dublin.  We’re pleased to announce that C.J. Nangle, Mary Ryan and Orla Kennedy have each won €100 worth of Eneclann publications of their choice!

Welcome to all our new subscribers who read about us in Irish Lives Remembered! Until June we will be selecting two new subscribers who will each receive an Eneclann CD or download of their choice.  This month’s winners are Penny Peace and Mervyn Johnson.

We will be in touch soon with all of our winners – and well done again!

St. Patrick’s Holiday Half Price Sale

Happy Saint Patrick’s!  Yes, we know it’s not until next week, but we’re starting the celebrations early.  Beginning today and running until Tuesday 19^th March 2013 is our St Patrick’s sale, where you can get your favourite Eneclann CD and download titles at half price!  Existing special offers are excluded from the St Patrick’s half price sale.� Visit the Eneclann online shop now.

St Patrick’s Family History Research Centre

As promised in the last newsletter, we have exciting new details about the St Patrick’s Family History Research Centre at the Discover Ireland Centre, St Andrew’s Church, Suffolk Street.  This free drop-in centre is running from Thursday 14^th to Monday 18^th March.  Firstly, we can confirm that the four big family history societies will be attending, alongside findmypast.ie and, of course, Eneclann.  These are: Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS); Genealogical Society of Ireland (GSI); Irish Family History Society (IFHS) and the North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS).  In addition, Ancestor Network, Flyleaf Press and the Military Archives will have stands.  Secondly, we have a fantastic and jam-packed line-up for the talks and lectures running throughout the weekend.  Read more about the St Patrick’s Family History Centre

Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives of Ireland

In the meantime, if you’re in Ireland you can avail of the free genealogy advisory service at The National Archives of Ireland from� 10am to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.  Some of the foremost experts on genealogy in Ireland are on-call in the National Archives to answer your family history queries.

The genealogy service marks the successful collaboration of Eneclann and Ancestor Network, in partnership with the NAI, who bring together the talent and skill of some of Ireland best known genealogists.�

No booking is required, but access to the genealogist on-duty is on a first come, first served basis.

National Library of Ireland genealogy workshop – now sold out!

Last newsletter we announced that on Friday 15^th March, we’ll be conducting a one day genealogy immersion workshop at the National Library of Ireland. �

The morning session will cover civil registration records, the 1901 and 1911 Census, internet sources and newspapers. The afternoon session will focus on Valuation Office records, and customs and traditions around life events in nineteenth century Ireland. Participants will be provided with take-home materials, including the speakers’ notes, CD-ROMs, and a trial subscription to findmypast.ie.  This workshop has now sold out, a month in advance.  Thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest in the event and we’ll see many of you next week.

WDYTYA? Live! competition winners

Welcome to all of our new subscribers from this year’s Who Do You Think You Are? Live! show held between the 22^nd and 24^th February in the London Olympia.  Take a look at our Facebook page for some of our photos from the event.  Congratulations also go to our three competition draw winners from the show: Linda Keefe; Maria Leonard and Sharon Richardson.  They all win €100 worth of Eneclann CD and download titles of their choice from our online shop

Topic Focus – Statistical Surveys

In the 1740s the Physico Historical Society of Ireland expressed an ambitious plan to publish a survey of each county in Ireland, although only four surveys (Down, Kerry, Cork and Waterford) ultimately appeared in print. Decades later, the Dublin Society, established in the 1730s, and becoming the Royal Dublin Society in 1820, launched a similar project, which proved considerably more successful. Under this initiative, the first county surveys appeared in 1801, and between that year and 1832, twenty three county surveys were completed. No surveys were completed for Fermanagh, Louth, Longford, Westmeath, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford.

Each county was surveyed with the aim of determining the ‘actual state, capabilities and defects of agriculture, manufactures and rural economy’, and most follow a similar structural layout. In practice the surveys contained a vast quantity of local information on almost every aspect of the county surveyed. Because these studies were carried out under central direction the quality of the information provided is good, and given their early date, they remain an invaluable source for the study of each county. They record many details about conditions in pre-Famine Ireland, including social and economic conditions, the growth of population and poverty, education, religion, history, the state of the Irish and English languages and local customs.

We have published the Statistical Surveys for counties Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Meath, Offaly (King’s), Roscommon and Tyrone.  What’s more, they are all available as digital downloads, which combined with our St Patrick’s half price sale means that they are unbelievable value!  The Statistical Surveys, alongside our other statistical publication series, the Census Reports, and the county and regional histories and topographies are fantastic resources for compiling background information for your family tree and for finding out more information on what your ancestor’s lives would have been like.� View our full range of titles, arranged by topic

Sean Murphy talk on ‘Recent Developments in Irish Geneaology’ at the NLI  �

This talk, on ‘Recent Developments in Irish Genealogy’ at the NLI has been organised as a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis by Maeve Mullin.  Sean Murphy has generously waived any fee, as has the National Library for using their premises.

The talk is on Saturday 27^th April at 11 am, and is particularly suited to genealogy enthusiasts that work full time during the week.  More information can be found on the NLI’s events page

Excel Heritage Gathering

As part of the Gathering 2013, The Tipperary Excel Arts & Cultural Centre, Tipperary Town would like to invite you to the ‘Excel Heritage & Genealogy weekend’ from 15^th – 17^th March 2013.

With lots of events and activities to participate in, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade they are warmly welcoming the generations of Tipperary Diaspora back to Co. Tipperary.  As the only place to research your family heritage from the records of the Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, you can use your visit to trace your roots, get to know the people and the places of your heritage.  Read more about this heritage gathering

International Gathering of the O’Neills event

Calling all O’Neills and Johnsons [MacSeain - O'Neills of the Fews]!

The International Gathering of the O’Neill Clans will take place from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th May 2013 with lectures by O’Neill historians and visits to historic locations.

If you’re an O’Neill, or know one, then you can find out more at the Association of O’Neill Clans website.

Eneclann at Who Do You Think You Are? Live!

We’re back this weekend at the Who Do You Think You Are? Live! Show.  This year you can find us in the� Irish Section at stand 544, meaning that you can trace your Irish family history in the one spot with many experts on hand!  The show runs from Friday 22^nd to Sunday 24^th February at the London Olympia.  Visit the Eneclann stand to get our publications at a special show discount price, to enter our great competition and to find out more about our research services.� Find out more about the show  – hope to see you there!

Genealogy Workshop at the NLI

On Friday 15th March, we’ll be conducting a one day genealogy immersion workshop at the National Library of Ireland.   The morning session will cover civil registration records, the 1901 and 1911 Census, internet sources and newspapers. The afternoon session will focus on Valuation Office records, and customs and traditions around life events in nineteenth century Ireland. Participants will be provided with take-home materials, including the speakers’ notes, CD-ROMs, and a trial subscription to findmypast.ie.  Tickets are €45 (including tea/coffee and buffet lunch), but places are limited so we advisebooking in advance.

Irish Family History Centre at the St. Patrick’s Festival

We’re very pleased to to be involved with the Irish Family History Centre at the St. Patrick’s Festival.� Running from Thursday 14th to Monday 18th March in the Discover Ireland Centre on Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 the event promises expert advice from a number of Irish genealogy organisations.  Details are still being worked out right now, but we wanted to let you know for your diaries!  What you can count on is a chat with Eneclann to get you started with your family history (or help you overcome that brick wall) and many of our CD publications for sale.  Keep checking our website for new information as it is announced and we’ll have more details in the next newsletter

Competition Winners

We’re pleased to announce two competition winners this newsletter!  Joseph Kirwan from New York is the winner of this month’s Ireland of the Welcomes subscriber draw.  Joseph has won himself an Eneclann CD of his choice.

Maurice Hurley is the winner of our special Christmas traditions Facebook competition.  He has won €40 worth of his choice of Eneclann CDs or downloads.  Maurice, drop us an email at marketing@eneclann.ie to arrange your prize.

Well done to both of this newsletter’s winners!

Topic Focus – Archaeology and Antiquities

We have some great titles on the archaeology and antiquities of Ireland that those of you with historical and archaeological interests will find fascinating.

One of our download only titles, Spotswood Green, The Wrecks of the Spanish Armada on the Coast of Ireland, from the Geographical Journal is an exceptional resource for the study and location of the doomed Armada ships off the Irish coast.  Combining his intimate knowledge of the Irish coastline with Spanish, English and Irish sources Green provides a fascinating insight in to the fate of many of the ships of the armada as well as the crews.

William F. Wakeman, Archaeologia Hibernica, A Handbook of Irish Antiquities, Pagan and Christian from 1848 marks a transformation in the study of archaeology in Ireland. Wakeman’s aim was to educate the Irish to the richness of their own past. Containing 91 illustrations, this seminal work is as important today as it was then.�

If you’re more into the history side then check out Sylvester O’Halloran’s History of Ireland from 1850 which is a monumental defence of Irish history and culture and one that should not be missed by anyone interested in Irish history and the first part of which rightly takes it place as one of the first refutations of Anglo-centric view of Ireland. Alternatively you could try The Abbé Mac Geoghegan’s The History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern which remains eminently readable and recounts the history of the county from its pre-Christian pagan origins to the accession of James I in 1603.

However, if it’s the archaeology and antiquities of Dublin, Limerick, Kilkenny or Laois you’re after then you might prefer one of our more specific titles that can be found on our website, or see our full range of titles. �

Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives

 The National Archives of Ireland continue their free genealogy advisory service from 10am to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.  Some of the foremost experts on genealogy in Ireland are on-call in the National Archives to answer your family history queries.

The genealogy service marks the successful collaboration of Eneclann and Ancestor Network, in partnership with the NAI, who bring together the talent and skill of some of Ireland best known genealogists.

No booking is required, but access to the genealogist on-duty is on a first come, first served basis.

Excel Heritage Gathering

As part of the Gathering 2013, The Tipperary Excel Arts & Cultural Centre, Tipperary Town would like to invite you to the ‘Excel Heritage & Genealogy weekend’ from 15^th – 17^th March 2013.

With lots of events and activities to participate in, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade they are warmly welcoming the generations of Tipperary Diaspora back to Co. Tipperary.  As the only place to research your family heritage from the records of the Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, you can use your visit to trace your roots, get to know the people and the places of your heritage.� Read more about this heritage gathering