My grandmother came from Offaly and was born in 1891. She stayed until 1908 and immigrated to the USA. I would like to know what site to go to for a list of Catholic churches at that time where her & her family attended so I could find out more about her & my great grandparents. Myaunt said they might have come from Birr. Thank you, Pat pstory5909@aol.com

My experience with a County Meath parish priest: I had all of the correct info including the birth dates and parents' names and mailed with a fifty dollar donation in October 2000. Never hear a blessed thing. In the meantime my husband was successful in contacting the second cousins on the farm in Meath. He then went to visit the cousins July 2001 who took him to the priest. The elderly priest said when asked about my inquiry, "Oh, yes. I remember that one. I get so many but have no time to look". He then reached over and found my letter with the check and wanted to return it to my husband (who declined the check). The priest went on to say that my husband could look at the books because the cousins were still parishioners. I have to say for the most part while there in Ireland, the priests were very generous in allowing us to look at the original books. We always made sure it was at the priest's convenience and never at dinner (1-2 PM). We always called. Nora Hopkins FitzGerald Searching for Fahey/Hogan/Keane/Hopkins in Chicago Hopkins - Castlebar, Co. Mayo/New York City Searching in County Down for Grant/McManus/Morgan/Woods I w-mailed the Irish parish as I found their e-mail address on their web site to ask for the correct name/address to send a letter to reauest genealogical information and the amount of the usual donation for this service. I have never received an answer. Someone told me that it could take 1 year or more. If you find out the whys and wherefores please let me know. -----Original Message----- From: Mautrav@aol.com [mailto:Mautrav@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 5:04 PM To: IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [Irish-American] Writing to Parish Priest Evelyn, I should have said "maybe the check should be offered initially as a donation on receipt of info, rather than sending the check with the original letter. Maybe my experience was an exception. Maureen N

On 4/15/04 9:46 PM, "Irishcolleen45@aol.com" <Irishcolleen45@aol.com> wrote: > The elderly priest said when asked about my inquiry, "Oh, yes. > I remember that one. I get so many but have no time to look". I think that was the point. The priest's primary responsibility is the care of souls, not genealogical research. It's frustrating at times, because the only records may be in the parish books, and we may be miles away, but at the final count, it's not the priest's job to spend hours looking up old records for those who enquire. So many parishes have little or no clerical help, and even finding priests for all the posts can be hard at times, that we need to be sensitive to the fact that a harried rector may have no time to deal with what seems so urgent to those of us trying to trace our ancestors. -- We will not forget! www.remember-9-11.com www.ciarancummings.com

I w-mailed the Irish parish as I found their e-mail address on their web site to ask for the correct name/address to send a letter to reauest genealogical information and the amount of the usual donation for this service. I have never received an answer. Someone told me that it could take 1 year or more. If you find out the whys and wherefores please let me know. -----Original Message----- From: Mautrav@aol.com [mailto:Mautrav@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 5:04 PM To: IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [Irish-American] Writing to Parish Priest Evelyn, I should have said "maybe the check should be offered initially as a donation on receipt of info, rather than sending the check with the original letter. Maybe my experience was an exception. Maureen N ______________________________

Hi JD, The working webpage for Radió na Gaeltachta is http://www.rte.ie/radio/av_rnag.html , from which you can navigate to RTÉ's other sites. Also, if you'd like to listen to Irish language radio, hit RnaG on the far right of the top row of the site. Hope that helps, Jerry Kelly Na Gaeil Magazine (coming soon to an internet near you) ----- Original Message ----- From: "JD" <jedollard@comcast.net> To: <IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 4:48 PM Subject: Re: [Irish-American] My Book - On The WWW - Free To Read > I appreciated the come back for RTE' through Google Pat, but I had already > tried that and just did not work. Somebody had the right web page that > worked the first time I opened it and they posted on here several months > again. So its still needed out there from Ireland cyberland if you have it. > Thanks, Jd, Fianna Warrior Chief > > > > ==== IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List ==== > The IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List Website and Lookup Service > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ > Use this to unsub, change your subscription, links, etc. >

SNIPPET: By the 1920s, the Broadway stage had lost much of its popularity to moving pictures, and Irish-Americans made a major impact on the screen. The most distinguished of all Irish-American film actors and perhaps the preeminent actor of his generation was Spencer TRACY, whose long career spanned nearly four decades. TRACY began acting in college theater productions, then appeared in summer stock, eventually reaching the Broadway stage in the 1920s. When sound was introduced to feature movies in 1927, his expressive voice made him a natural for that medium, and in the 1930s he established himself as one of Hollywood's most versatile stars. He won consecutive Academy Awards for his portrayal of a fisherman in "Captains Courageous" (1937) and a priest in "Boys Town" (1938), both fine dramatic performances. TRACY's real forte, however, was the subtler art of comedy. Teamed with Katharine HEPBURN in a succession of films, most notably "Woman of the Year" (1942) and "Adam's Rib" (1949), he played to perfection that most universal of male roles, the husband, his face a mobile mask of humorous wisdom, his voice effortlessly scaling a range of emotions. No one conveyed better the sense of being the lone sane presence in a world spinning toward madness; and in his best moments, such as the classic scene in "Woman of the Year" in which he struggles valiantly to remain calm during his bride's disastrous first attempt at preparing breakfast, TRACY's artistry is such that we forget we are watching a performance and feel instead that we are glimpsing an unguarded moment in the life of an actual man. He was not alone in helping to alert filmgoers to the virtues of the Irish character -- the energy, wit, and toughness of James CAGNEY; the suave, relaxed crooning of Bing CROSBY; the musc! ular acrobatic dancing of Gene KELLY; the delicate gentility of Maureen O'SULLIVAN and Grace KELLY, etc. Born in Milwaukee, WI, in 1900, Spencer Bonaventure TRACY had one of the most successful careers in the history of film. Throughout his 74 films, he displayed tremendous versatility in roles ranging from Fr. FLANAGAN in "Boys Town" (1938) to Clarence DARROW in "Inherit the Wind" (1960). After serving in the navy during WWI, he returned to college where he took up acting, meeting actor Pat O'BRIEN in the process. In the early 1920s he began acting in NY where he caught the eye of producer George M. COHAN from whom he received both mentoring and roles in major Broadway productions. With his reputation established, TRACY went to Hollywood where he signed with Twentieth Century Fox in 1930. In his first film, "Up the River" (1930), director John FORD gave him the lead opposite Humphrey BOGART. TRACY went on to win consecutive Oscars for his roles in "Captains Courageous" and "Boys Town," and earned many more nominations in the years that followed. His romance with Kathar! ine HEPBURN, both on- and off-screen, gave his roles an extra depth.

Father Magee's suggestion is an excellent one. A professional genealogist can actually save you time and money. From what I have been able to gather, Catholic priests are as overburdened with responsibilities as ours because they have a clergy shortage, too. Plus it takes a pro to know where the records are. One of the most appreciated Christmas gifts I ever got from my daughter was a genealogist's report on my County Louth ancestors. At 83, I certainly didn't need any more fancy robes,perfume or doodads to dust. It's not cheap to have research done, especially with the rate of exchange, but can you think of a better present?. My son and daughter will meet their new-found cousins this Summer , and the Lord willing, I hope to next year when my brand-new knee replacement is healed. All you lucky people going to Ireland this year, enjoy yourselves. I was on a bus tour there last year and the people are unforgettable. Old people are treated with respect, and I will never forget the times I was given a little extra consideration and respectfully called "Mother". And the rest o' yez, who are stuck at home, too. Save your money for a grand time later, and good luck to everyone else who is researching! If you are Catholic, too, maybe a prayer or two to St. Patrick would not be amiss! Pat Littlefield

Hi Pat, Thanks for the site about military cemeteries. I found a cousin of my Mom's buried in Texas. We had just been talking about that family and we didn't know the death date. Mary Kay in So. Wisconsin

CASEWORKERS We braced our wits with morning coffee, the lyric taste of small talk rising in our mouths, and a conspiracy of laughter spread among us. What a crazy way to make a living ... a kind of tender deceit that won't admit the truth, we said, and Tenth Street, choked with the wrecks of love, kept heaving at the door. The phones wept, and the waiting room splintered into countless desperate eyes, the work of some delirious cubist. And you: "Someday I'll move to a villa on the south coast of Spain." "It gets like this," I said. "Seeing others buckle, you wonder if the time will come when one more plea for help will send you screaming into traffic. Got a light?" "Yes," you said. "But I keep it under a basket, away from the rain." We stretched, yawned, and scratched our bellies like soldiers in a trench who are used to the war. But our frailty bled, and I clung to the absurd, the blessed folderol of salvation, and watched the tumble in the sultry dusk of sparrows (dear God) the sparrows. -- Thomas Alan ORR, "Hammers in the Fog," (1995/Restoration Press, Indianapolis, IN), copyrighted material posted by permission.

To add another thought/suggestion to the initial email posting. I was able to find the website first where my Grandparents' Church - the same church where my parents also got married. I emailed the pastor, seeking the cost of attaining a copy of their marriage certificate. He was most generous with his time and efforts, that when I sent the payment for the certificate, I also included a donation in memory of my grandparents and father. So some parish priests are most understanding, and then some are so busy, they simply do not have the time to search the records. However, this priest helped me to connect to grandparents that I had never met for which I was most grateful. Eileen/MA ----- Original Message ----- From: <Mautrav@aol.com> To: <IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 05:04 PM Subject: Re: [Irish-American] Writing to Parish Priest > Evelyn, > > I should have said "maybe the check should be offered initially as a donation > on receipt of info, rather than sending the check with the original letter. > > Maybe my experience was an exception. > > Maureen N > > > ==== IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List ==== > The IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List Website and Lookup Service > http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ > Use this to unsub, change your subscription, links, etc. >

Evelyn, I should have said "maybe the check should be offered initially as a donation on receipt of info, rather than sending the check with the original letter. Maybe my experience was an exception. Maureen N

Hi Evelyn, Offering a donation to the parish seems to be a good idea. I made the mistake once of enclosing a check for the "donation" and got no reply, but the check was cashed. Maybe the check should be offered later. Maureen N

Just be sure to include a kind offering for the church and I am sure you will receive better service. No kidding, I was told this was customary. jd

I appreciated the come back for RTE' through Google Pat, but I had already tried that and just did not work. Somebody had the right web page that worked the first time I opened it and they posted on here several months again. So its still needed out there from Ireland cyberland if you have it. Thanks, Jd, Fianna Warrior Chief

Evelyn Bayna <ebayna@ucsd.edu> wrote: >Hi, All: >Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about writing an effective >letter to the Parish Priest in Ireland to request genealogy information >on Irish ancestors? I would like to find out some information before I >go to Ireland this summer so that I could find gravesites or cousins >that might still be around. > >My GGgrandmother, Mary Mahony was born in Ardkilleen, Co. Cork on April >20, 1873. Her parents were John Mahony and Mary Drummy. They also >had two other children that I know of; Johanna b. March 13, 1865 in >Coolenagow and a son Daniel Joseph b. April 18, 1884. I could not find >him listed in the Civil Registration at familysearch.org but did find >both of the girls. He immigrated to the US and I did get his SS >application that listed his mother's maiden name and a cousin remembered >an Uncle Daniel. We found his buriel plot in Calvary Cemetery in >Waltham, MA and I searched him out using the plot card. > >I found on line that the Parish should be Enniskeane and Desertserges >with the addresses for the : >Very Rev Sean McCarthy PP >Enniskeane, Co Cork >023 47162 > >and > >Rev Edward Collins CC >Ahiohill, Enniskeane, Co Cork >023 39167 > >Thanks for any help that anyone may have. >Evelyn > > > >==== IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List ==== >The IRISH-AMERICAN Mailing List Website and Lookup Service >http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrishAmerican/ >Use this to unsub, change your subscription, links, etc. > >The banner on your email caught my attention for two reasons: 1-I myself am a priest and 2) I have been working on Irish family records for a long time Inj this context I would make several observations. One, the priest is not ordained to do geneological research and record finding. 2) go to a person who has that expertise which the priest does not have. Spend a few euros and hire a professional geneologist to do geneology and let the priest do what he does shepherd his flock, visit the sick, bury the dead, pray the Mass and care for the people of Ireland. I hope your search is profitable Father Magee -- Very sincerely yours Father George P. Magee, O.S. __________________________________________________________________ Introducing the New Netscape Internet Service. Only $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. New! Netscape Toolbar for Internet Explorer Search from anywhere on the Web and block those annoying pop-ups. Download now at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/search/install.jsp

Hi, All: Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about writing an effective letter to the Parish Priest in Ireland to request genealogy information on Irish ancestors? I would like to find out some information before I go to Ireland this summer so that I could find gravesites or cousins that might still be around. My GGgrandmother, Mary Mahony was born in Ardkilleen, Co. Cork on April 20, 1873. Her parents were John Mahony and Mary Drummy. They also had two other children that I know of; Johanna b. March 13, 1865 in Coolenagow and a son Daniel Joseph b. April 18, 1884. I could not find him listed in the Civil Registration at familysearch.org but did find both of the girls. He immigrated to the US and I did get his SS application that listed his mother's maiden name and a cousin remembered an Uncle Daniel. We found his buriel plot in Calvary Cemetery in Waltham, MA and I searched him out using the plot card. I found on line that the Parish should be Enniskeane and Desertserges with the addresses for the : Very Rev Sean McCarthy PP Enniskeane, Co Cork 023 47162 and Rev Edward Collins CC Ahiohill, Enniskeane, Co Cork 023 39167 Thanks for any help that anyone may have. Evelyn

Here is a great new resource for anyone searching ancestors who were veterans and buried in national cemeteries: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 Please be warned, this is a new site and data is being updated daily. Plus, it is very slow, due to great demand, so have patience when it is loading. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton

> > >Does anyone still have that streaming connection to RTE' > Using Google, I found: http://www.rte.ie/radio/ -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton

There is such a book, but it goes only through 1968. A supplement goes to 1978. They only give name, date and page of entry in the Times. The subscription database has a keyword search and links one directly to a scanned image of the page and item found, so is much superior - it extends up to about 2001 as well. Paul Keroack, a librarian in Connecticut

Thanks to everyone who replied to the list and to me personally with suggestions on accessing the above archives to do some geneological research. I have put several in my favorites; there were some wonderful suggestions. I had forgotten about the Godfrey Library in Middletown, Ct. They have a wonderful online library of databases. N Y Times, L A Times, other papers, US censuses, Otherdays , etc etc. Some time ago it had been touted by members of several lists. It costs $35 for a 1 year library card. I signed up today and have been having success on one difficult branch of the family living in and around New York City. Thanks again. Maureen N (Chicago suburbs)