I was saddened to learn of the death of Paul McGrath. Paul was the staff genealogist for the Canadian family history television show “Ancestors in the Attic” (now in its third season) on History Television. Paul suffered a heart attack in Scotland working on an episode of the program. He passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. He was 49 years old.
I had an opportunity to listen to Paul speak last May after the banquet at the annual conference of the Ontario Genealogical Society. He gave a delightful talk, describing some of the lighter moments from behind the scenes of the filming of History Television’s successful genealogy program, now in its third year of production. "Ancestors in the Attic" has filmed all over the world to try to prove or disprove family legends, re-unite lost relatives and highlight some of the best and unique genealogical resources in the world. Indeed, Paul was in Scotland working on an episode of the program when he was stricken and passed away.
Paul McGrath was a professional genealogist and researcher who specialized in exploring early Ontario and Toronto roots. He also served as Chair of the Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and a Director of the Friends of the Archives of Ontario.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/) or the Canadian Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.ca/?sc_lang=en0). Condolences for the family may be offered at http://www.eganfuneralhome.com.
