A major conference on genealogy taking place in Galway, Ireland this month will hear of new research in which genetic links can be traced through surname lineages. The Galway County International Genealogical Conference will take place on Saturday March 19 and Sunday March 20 in the Oranmore Lodge Hotel. The conference will provide a wealth of information for local historians, family historians, genealogists, or anyone trying to trace a family tree.
The event will hear experts speak on a wide range of topics from local interest to cutting edge DNA technology which has allowed researchers to trace DNA sequences in surname groups. Dr Patrick Guinness will discuss this work, and reveal how some Irish surnames are recognised as the oldest DNA-proven linkages in Europe.
US genealogists Anne Rodda, George Handron, and Dennis Aherne will discuss Irish-American links, the Poor Law Union records, and the use of the Internet as a tool in family history research. Other subjects up for discussion include census records, civil records, estate records, school records, Encumbered Estate Court Rentals, clachán settlements, emigration records, Irish Police Ancestry, Valuation Office Records, maps and mapmaking, nineteenth century Ireland, placenames, the National Archives, the National Library, the Connacht Rangers, the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, the big houses of County Galway, and lesser used genealogical sources.
A panel of experts will also be available to provide advice and assistance to those who have specific genealogical or family history queries. Many local and national historical and genealogical organisations, along with specialist booksellers, will have stands at the conference.
Anyone who can be in Galway next week is invited to contact Karen Smyth of Galway East Tourism at (091) 850687, or via e-mail at info@galwayeast.com, or contcat Marie Mannion, heritage officer with the Galway County Council, phone (091) 509198 or e-mail mmannion@galwaycoco.ie
