Plentiful Country: The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York
Tyler Anbinder

Zoom Only

In 1845, a fungus began to destroy Ireland’s potato crop, triggering a famine that would kill one million Irish men, women, and childre —and drive over a million more to flee for America. A decade later, the U.S. had been transformed by this stupendous migration, nowhere more than New York. These Famine Irish were consigned to the lowest-paying jobs and subjected to discrimination and ridicule. Even today, the popular perception of these immigrants is one of destitution. But it turns out that the Famine immigrants did far better, far more quickly, than we have previously realized.

Historian Tyler Anbinder will discuss the topic of his new book, Plentiful Country: The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York, which upends popular beliefs about the Famine Irish in New York and beyond. Drawing in particular on the Emigrant Savings Bank records, Anbinder will present the stories of the Irish refugees who settled in New York and helped reshape the entire nation. The Wall Street Journal calls Anbinder’s book “a superb revisionist history.”

Tyler Anbinder is an emeritus professor of history at George Washington University, having taught there for 30 years. He is the author of three award-winning books: Nativism and Slavery; Five Points; and City of Dreams: The 400-Year Epic History of Immigrant New York.

The presentation will be available on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. Register in advance for this webinar: REGISTER HERE.

Researching Irish Probate Records
Steven Smyrl

Zoom Only

Steven Smyrl, who has been a professional genealogist since 1989, is a past president of Accredited Genealogists Ireland. He is a founding member of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations, serving twice as its chairman. He was elected a Fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society in 2007. He is author of Dictionary of Dublin Dissent: Dublin’s Protestant Dissenting Meetinghouses 1660-1920.

The presentation will be available on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. Register in advance for this webinar: REGISTER HERE.

Annual IFHF Holiday Luncheon
Irish Coffee Pub, East Islip, Noon – 4pm

Old Irish First Names and Nicknames
Irene Morgan

Can’t find an ancestor in the records? First-name aliases could be the root of the problem. Old Irish given names were often disguised by a variety of Latin and English “translations” and nicknames. Our Irish ancestors used these aliases freely, blissfully unaware of the confusion this would create for their descendants centuries later.

Irene Morgan will discuss Irish first names: how they were pronounced and translated, the culture of use, and most importantly, how they appear in the records. Join us to discover how Biddy and Delia evolved from Bríd, why Lacky can trip us up, and lots more. Morgan, a native Irish speaker, is the resident genealogy writer for Ireland Reaching Out and founder of Irish Quest.

The presentation will also be available on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for those members who are unable to come to the library. Register in advance for this webinar: REGISTER HERE.

DNA in Irish Family History
Claire Bradley

Professional genealogist Clare Bradley will discuss several types of DNA tests but will focus on autosomal DNA. She will explain the terminology, talk about which companies offer testing, and review costs. In particular, she will discuss how you can use this ol to further your Irish ancestral research. She will also discuss the ethics of testing and the possibility of uncovering a family secret. Bradley, the Director of Irish Studies at the International Institute of Genealogical Studies, regularly lectures to a wide range of family history and historical societies. 

The presentation will also be available on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for those members who are unable to come to the library. Register in advance for this webinar: REGISTER HERE.

TBD

NYC’s Emigrant Savings Bank Records
Katherine R. Willson

Katherine Willson will discuss the reasons behind the formation of New York’s Emigrant Savings Bank, which was geared toward Irish emigrants. She will then talk about the valuable genealogy information recorded in the bank’s records, as well as where to find copies of these records both online and offline.
Willson has lectured at regional and national events, is a full-time researcher for clients, and has taught genealogy courses for over 25 years. She is a past president of the Michigan Genealogical Council and a past board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

The presentation will also be available on Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for those members who are unable to come to the library. Register in advance for this webinar: REGISTER HERE.