Interest in genealogy has recently increased around the world. Shows like Who Do You Think You Are? have contributed to this growth. Perhaps, no where has interest in family history grown more than in Ireland. Since more Irish descendents live outside of Ireland, having a distribution point for Irish publications and resource tools outside of Ireland makes sense. This is one reason why Family Root Publishing has recently begun offering titles from Flyleaf Press. We have already reviewed a number of books published by Flyleaf in the Tracing Your [Irish] Ancestors series. Another great title from Flyleaf, to help those of Irish descent is Sources for Irish Family History: A Listing of Books and Articles on The History of Irish Families.
James G. Ryan compiled this book and he took great effort to find uncommon sources of information. Many of these sources would normally be difficult for the average researcher to come across. The sources are listed by family name, but not necessarily for every name listed in each source. Rather, the primary family is where the listing goes, but other families and individuals may be listed within the work. Some works provide local histories beyond the personal memoirs and biographies. The book is a reference, but it is also much more.
Sources for Irish Family History is an emotional work with the author describing the greater value of the content as placing “some human dimension to the barren facts that may be obtained from the usual range of records. No church or civil record will inform us that our ancestors were wonderful singers or dancers; or of the the details of their travels or their occupation; nor whether their recorded marriages were the culminations of great romances, or of family arrangements. Such information can, however, be occasionally found in the memoirs and letters details in the articles and books listed here.”
In short, the book is an alphabetical listing by surname of books, monographs, and periodical papers. References range from articles of just a few lines to multi-volume book sets. The introduction set for how citations are listed for article and book references. There is also listing of abbreviations and sources for the reader to refer back to as necessary. There are hundreds of family names listed here and probably and uncountable number found within the pages of the listed references.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Abbreviations and Sources
Listings of Family Sources
Placename lndex
Sources for Irish Family History can be ordered from Family Roots Publishing; Item #: FLP012; Sale Price: $27.16; Reg. Price: $31.95.