It is with a great sense of sadness that we learned of the passing of our beloved Treasurer and dear friend Evelyn Ludwig on November 3, at the age of 81.

Besides being our Treasurer for the past 6 years, Evelyn is best remembered for her willingness to help out wherever she could, whether it was making the arrangements for our annual Christmas party, greeting people who stopped at our booth at the annual Hofstra Irish Festival, or volunteering for other events in which the Forum participated. At our monthly meetings, Evelyn was always one of the first to arrive at the library to help set up the Forum displays, assist the Hospitality group in setting up the refreshment table, greeting participants and, when needed, helping sign in members, and of course selling the 50/50 chances.

Recognizing all of the contributions she made over the years to the success of the Forum, last year the Board of Directors honored her with the Forum’s 2019 Certificate of Appreciation and named her “Volunteer Extraordinaire,” a designation she so justly deserved.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Evelyn’s loving husband, Joseph; her children and grandchildren; and her sister, Forum member Margaret Gonzalez, during this time of great sadness.

Suaimhneas siorai Da hAnam Uasal…Eternal rest to her gentle soul.

Make your voice heard before October 23

nygbs.org/access-alert

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-livers-matter

Write to the CEO’s of Amazon and Walmart and let them know what you think!!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Virtual Celtic Connections Conference, available online July 31-August 31, 2020

Join us on a virtual “Journey Home” and learn more about researching your family history!

ALL THIS FOR ONLY $99 (USD):

• On-demand presentations – No difficult decisions about which lecture to attend! All 25 pre-recorded presentations will be available for you to view whenever you choose.
• Conference extended from July 31-August 31 – Plenty of time to listen to any and all talks of interest to you (as long as you do so before August 31).
• Nine live chat sessions with the presenters – Opportunities for you to ask questions and interact with our speakers and other attendees. Schedule will be posted soon.
• Safe, convenient and less expensive – No risky and costly travel, no reservations, no trip delays. View the presentations from home at your convenience!
• Renowned genealogists cover a variety of topics – Fiona Fitzsimons, Maurice Gleeson, John Grenham, Chris Paton plus seven outstanding U.S. genealogy experts will address multiple topics and interests.
• Online syllabus — Electronic version of the conference syllabus will include all presentations as well as discounts on digital products.

Register now at http://celtic-connections.org/ccc_register.html.

Family Tree Magazine is offering their latest copy of the magazine for free.  See pages 77-84  for Irish Research Cheat Sheets

https://www.familytreemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FTM__MarApr20_giveaway.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2WyMU5BD2SC2HsuhmoTxotrh1KfafVGmxwnME5cI-QVrVtWainto0azZI

MyHeritage is offering free access to Irish records from March 5 – March 22.https://www.myheritage.com/research/category-Ireland/ireland-genealogy-vital-records
Ancestry is offering free access to Irish records through March 18.Also, scroll down and download their guide to Finding Your Irish Immigrant Ancestors. https://www.ancestry.com/cs/stpatricksday

     HELP !!!

Members:  we are in dire need of help.

We are a total volunteer organization.  Thanks to our volunteers we have been managing to provide our Members with The Newsletter, Speakers, Website, Library, Social Events etc.  Unfortunately, several of our longstanding volunteers are no longer able to continue.  We have an immediate need to fill the position of ZOOM Meeting Manager.  We also have continuing needs for insurance expertise, legal assistance, a librarian, ideas for enhancing the website, advertising and promoting the organization ………. 

If you would like to consider helping, please talk to a Board member or email volunteer@ifhf.org.

Tracing Your First World War Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians by Simon Fowler (Pen & Sword, 2013).  Whether your military ancestors served at home or overseas during World War I, whether they were soldiers, sailors, or airmen, whether they were male or female, Fowler’s book can help you discover their wartime service records.  The book discusses resources for Britain, Canada, Newfoundland, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Finding Your Father’s War: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army, 2^nd ed. by Jonathan Gawne (Casemate, 2013). Military historian Gawne discusses how to track down a World War II soldier’s service record by using archives, libraries, veterans associations, and other resources. According to APG Quarterly, Finding Your Father’s War is “a great read not only for genealogists wishing to research an ancestor, but also for those who simply have an interest in the United States Army during World War II…[It is] a must-read reference book for any professional genealogist or military historian.” 

The Canal Bridge by Tom Phelan (Arcade, 2014). Many people are surprised to learn that close to a quarter of a million Irish men fought in the British army in World War I and tens of thousands died.  Forum member Tom Phelan’s novel tells the story of two young Irish men who join the army in order to see the world but end up serving as stretcher bearers in the trenches instead. According to the Irish Independent, the novel is “Another First World War masterpiece…An ambitious, accomplished and deeply moving contribution to Ireland’s formidable corpus of fiction about the Great War.”—Jim Regan

Women of the Irish Revolution by Liz Gillis .(Mercier, 2014).Gillis describes the role women ……played, both directly and indirectly, in the Irish revolution. At a time when society saw their role as that of wife and mother, these women made a decision to stand up not only for their own rights, but also the rights of future generations. The independence movement would not have succeeded without their contribution, which saw them face significant danger in order to help free Ireland. The book also tells the story of the wives, mothers, sisters, and girlfriends of those who fought for Irish freedom; though not directly involved, they lost a great deal.

Atlas of the Irish Revolution by John Crowley, Mike Murphy, and Donal Ó Drisceoil, eds. (Cork University Press, 2017). Thisdefinitive resource brings to life a pivotal moment in Ireland’s history. Published to coincide with the centenary of the Easter Rising, it illuminates the effects of the revolution on Irish culture and politics. The book includes contributions by leading scholars and is illustrated with over 400 illustrations, maps, and photos. Irish Central calls it “the bible of this most important time in Irish history.”

Greatest Brigade: How the Irish Brigade Cleared the Way to Victory in the American Civil War

by Thomas J. Craughwell (Fair Winds Press, 2013).The Irish Brigade, an infantry brigade made up of mostly Irish Americans, served in the Union Army in the U.S. Civil War. The brigade, which suffered  heavy casualties, was known for its war cry, “Faugh a Ballagh!” an anglicization of an Irish phrase that means “Clear the way!”

  In his book, author Craughwell takes the readerthrough the major battles of the Civil War alongside the soldiers of the brigade. He tells the story of a group of heroes who covered the Yankee retreat at Bull Run, drove the Confederates from the Sunken Road at Antietam, and made charge after charge up Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg. The brigade’s gallantry won it the admiration of the high command of both North and South, earned it seven Medals of Honor, and after the war, went a long way in helping the Irish assimilate into the American mainstream.

August 28

P.S. See “Goings On” on Home Page for more interesting activities