Can I trace family members in any part of Ireland?
With volunteers in each of the 32 counties, global members have access to an unparalleled level of local information regarding history and heritage. Ireland Reaching Out has a wealth of resources regarding the heritage and culture of local Irish communities.
Where can I go to begin tracing my Irish family tree?
Ireland Reaching Out, or IrelandXO is an award-winning Irish charity and genealogical website, which shows people of Irish descent how to research their family tree heritage. It also connects members of the vast Irish diaspora to each other and to people living in their place of origin today.
Information is organised by the civil parish, with the aim of bringing information that is very local, to a connected audience that is very global. A key part of IrelandXO.com is the XO Chronicles, a completely free family history-sharing platform where members can add, edit, and share information about their ancestors and the events that shaped their lives. With more than 20,000 additions from Ireland Reaching Out members, this is a valuable tool for those seeking more information about their ancestry. Members can preserve their own family stories for future generations. Should members of the diaspora wish to visit their ancestral homeland, Ireland Reaching Out volunteers may also welcome them home and show them around places of interest that may be relevant to their ancestry such as homesteads, cemeteries, and places of worship.
What’s the best free online genealogy course?
Alison has some wonderful courses that will help you research your ancestry and chart your family tree. Learn basic guidelines for delving into the past with the short course Genealogy Research and Family History or for expertise in exploring your Irish roots, An Introduction to Irish Family History is packed with useful tips from the experts in the field. If you are interested in a career in the field of ancestral genealogy, we recommend the Introduction to DNA and Genealogy. These free online genealogy courses will help you find the answers you seek and save you hours of fruitless searching.