June 1995                 IRISH AND SCOT NEWSLETTER


FOR YOUR INFORMATION - From time to time you will see in the newsletter what may look like
misspellings.  Example: connexion for connection, colour for color, musick for music, etc. These
are not misspellings.  They are usually in a text that is taken and quoted from a specific text and
the spellings are the European spellings.  Because they are direct quotes the spelling is left in
tact.  As a friend, (and a very knowledgeable researcher) once said, "I don't write 'em I just quote
'em.  :D

Be advised that in the heraldic sense
there is no such thing as a "FAMILY CREST" or a "FAMILY COAT of ARMS".  The crest or Coat
of Arms was presented to an individual not to a family.  The crest of the son of a nobleman was
different from the crest of the father.  In many cases the differences might not be readily
noticeable to a casual observer but they often pointed out the position of the son within the
family.  If you receive any advertisements from any companies offering you your "Family Crest" or
"Coat of Arms" please be careful before you buy anything.  This is a definite "BUYER BEWARE"
situation.  A few of these companies are actually being investigated by the Better Business
Bureaus in the various states, while others simply go out of business and re-open with a different
name to avoid investigation.  Make sure you are dealing with a reputable firm before you
purchase any of these items.  Ask for references, check with the Better Business Bureau, etc.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Q. - Can you get a death certificate from Ireland if all you have is a name, death date and place of
death?

A. - After January 1, 1864 the death certificate will be in the General Register Office, Joyce
House, 8-11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2. Download the log from March 31, 1995 for more
detailed information about the General Register Office.

Q. - Where would be the best place to find death records for Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland?

A. - Write to The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1 Martha Street, Glasgow, Scotland,
G1 1JJ.  For a more detailed descrition for Beginning Scottish Research download the logs from
May 5 & 12, 1995.

Q. - What is the "Mathesons Report"?

A. - In 1892 Sir Richard Matheson did a report for the Queen of England using the Irish Birth
Indexes.  Any surname which had 5 or more entries in 1890 in all of Ireland was included in the
report.  While 1892 is later than a lot of us are searching, it still shows approximate places in
Ireland where your surnames might be found.  For a more detailed explanation of the Matheson
Report please download the logs from April 21, 1995.

Q. - Do U.S. libraries carry Irish telephone books?

A. - That depends on the size of the library.  Irish phone books are available for purchase from
AT&T if you want to have your own set.  Contact the AT&T Sales office for more information.


NAMES OF THE MONTH

This month the Irish surname taken from EDWARD MacLYSAGHT's book IRISH FAMILIES Their
Names, Arms & Origins, SciPrint Limited, Copyright Irish Academic Press Limited, ISBN #
0-7165-2364-7 is:

O'BEIRNE       Though the pronunciation of this name is very similar to O'Byrne there is no
connexion between the two septs (however, in Co. Kildare O'Beirne is found as a synonym of
O'Byrne).  O'Beirne belongs almost exclusively to Connacht.  One branch, allied to to the
MacDermots, and the other leading Roscommon families, in the thirteenth century displaced the
O'Monahans as chiefs of a territory called Tir Briuin between Elphin and Jamestown on the Co.
Roscommon side of the Shannon, and they appear as such in the "Composition Book of
Connacht" (1585); and in 1850 there was still an O'Beirne of Dangan-I-Beirn in that territory.  The
other branch possessed territory in the adjoining county of Mayo, north of Ballinrobe.  At the
present time O'Beirnes are chiefly found in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim.

While no O'Beirne has left a lasting mark on the history of Ireland several distinguished
themselves in the service of France in the eighteenth century.  The sept has produced one or two
interesting characters who may be mentioned here.  Thomas Lewis O'Beirne (1748-1823), though
reared a Catholic (his brother was a Parish Priest in Co. Meath) became a Protestant Bishop of
Meath in 1789; and Henry O'Beirne (b. 1851), an Irish emigrant, was well known in America on
account of his writings about the Texas Indians, among whom he settled permanently.


From Robert Bain's "The Clans and Tartans of Scotland", Fontana/Collins, Glasgow and London, 
c1968 ISBN # 0 00 411117 6

BRODIE

CREST BADGE : A dexter hand holding a sheaf of arrows, all proper.
There is also a hunting tartan.

ORIGIN OF NAME: Placen me, Morayshire.
PLANT BADGE: Periwinkle.
MOTTO: Unite.
GAELIIC NAME: Brothaigh.

From earliest times the Clan Brodie was associated with the province of Moray.  In the I2th
century King Malcolm IV is said to have confirmed their possession of land there, and Michael,
Thane of Brodie, received a charter from Robert the Bruce two or three years before the battle of
Bannockburn. 

During the I3th, 14th and 15th centuries the family name appeared frequently in the charters of
the period, and John of Brodie assisted the MacKenzies against the MacDonalds at the famous
battle of Blair-na-park in 1466.  In I550 Alexander Brodie and over a hundred others were
denounced rebels for attacking Alexander Cumming of Altyre. 

The family continued prominent in local and national affairs and Alexander Brodie of Brodie, born
in 16I7, was a Senator of the College of Justice.  He represented the county of Elgin in
Parliament from 1643 and in 1649 he went to Holland from Parliament to treat with Charles II and
to arrange for the conditions of his return to Scotland.  He was cited to London by Cromwell to
negotiate a union between the two kingdoms, but he avoided employment under the
Lord-Protector.  He died in 1679.

Alexander Brodie of Brodie, born in 1697, was appointed Lord Lyon King at Arms in I727.  He
died in 1754.  Throughout the long history of the family the Brodies became connected through
marriage with many of the greatest families in Scotland.  Brodie Castle in Morayshire is the seat
of the chief.


DID YOUR IMMIGRANT ANCESTOR REALLY COME IN THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND???

I always just assumed (as probably many of you have) that my G.Grandfather came in through
Ellis Island.  For me it seemed a natural conclusion.  After all, every generation since he came
here (including myself) was born in New York City. 

However, while reading my book "Out of Ireland"  Published by, Elliott and Clark Publishing 1994
ISBN # 1-880216-25-6 the authors, Kerby Miller and Paul Wagner, state: "Castle Garden, a
former concert hall in New York City, used for immigrant processing from 1855 until the opening
of Ellis Island in 1892, the period of the heaviest Irish immigration".

Now, since Ellis Island didn't open until 1892, (and my g.grandfather came in 1864) he couldn't
have come in at Ellis Island.  He would have come in through Castle Garden.  So I immediately
wrote a letter to the New York Library inquiring where those records would be now.  The following
is the answer I received.....and I quote:

"The Castle Garden records are New York Passenger arrival lists.  We have passenger lists for
the years 1820-1910 at this Library, but we cannot check passenger lists, as this can be
extremely time consuming.  In order to check passenger lists you will need to have a fairly precise
date of arrival, meaning at least a month and a year, preferably a day, month and year.  There is
no index for Irish immigrants, or at least nothing comprehensive for the 1860's.  In fact, there is
no general passenger list index for that period that has been compiled yet.  Sometimes you can
obtain a date of arrival from a naturalization record.  There is a naturalization index which covers
records from courts located in New York, Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties for the years
1792-1906.  You should be able to obtain this naturalization index and the passenger list for the
date of arrival (if you locate it in the naturalization index) through your Local Family History
Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We have enclosed a list of the Family
History Centers located in Florida". 

The above response was dated September 28, 1995.

 
And from Our Friend Linda ....

A new museum for Scotland
By the end of the century, Scotland will have at last a museum dedicated to telling its unique
story.  Extensive collections of material assembled over 200 years will illuminate the history of the
country as well as its natural, geological and industrial resources.  Many of the treasures in the
new museum will be displayed properly for the first time and in a Purpose-built building.

This will be a museum to inform, educate and entertain Scots and visitors alike and, above all, a
museum of which Scotland will be proud.

The museum will be one of the most important public buildings to be built in Scotland this century. 
Situated at the west end of Chambers Street, adjoining the existing Royal Museum Of Scotland. 
It will stand at a Point where Medieval and Victorian Edinburgh meet, in the midst of some of
Europe's most distinctive architecture.

Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral, the National Library of Scotland, Greyfriars
Kirk, the University of Edinburgh as well as the existing Royal Museum are among the historic
landmarks in this part of the city.

The five floors of the new building will be mainly devoted to exhibitions but will also boast a range
of excellent visitor facilities, including a restaurant with an outstanding view across Edinburgh's
unique skyline.

A tower at the corner of Chambers Street will be clearly seen along the approach roads and will
act as a beacon for visitors.

In 1991, the Trustees of the National Museums Of Scotland held an architectural competition
which attracted more than 370 international entries.  The winners were a London-based team,
Benson & Forsyth.  The museum is scheduled to open by 1998 with 7000 square meters of
exhibition space.

In the United States, contact Lindsay Heam, 212-685-0113 or Allen C. Bud Howe, II, 12906
Kanes Road, Glen Arm, MD 21057. C a I l: 410-592-5349.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Information on Irish Genealogy Books.


FAMILY PRODUCTS FROM THE SHAMROCK & THISTLE
234 Division St. NW Olympia WA 98502 USA

We thought you would like to hear about some of the heritage items and books of Irish
Genealogical Records  which we carry in our store, which are also available through mail order.

HERALDIC SCROLL AND MAP OF FAMILY ORIGINS - BY MULLINS OF DUBLIN
776 Irish Coats of Arms in Full Heraldic Colors, surround a map of Ireland with county and name
locations. Shown also are the arms of the 32 counties. A stunning wall decoration that unfolds to
28"x 40".                                     

lRISH FAMILY NAMES MAP BY BARTHOLOMEW
A full color pictorial map with locations of names and Gaelic septs and principal Hiberno-Norman
families, indexed and surrounded by full color shields. Folds out to an attractive wall poster of 
28"x 40"                                          

GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MAP OF IRELAND
A charming sepia toned Irish Map depicting Meath, Ulster, Connaught, Leinster, and Munster as
they existed under Milesian Kings palaces of Kings, ancient cities, territories possessed by Irish
Chiefs from 11th to 17th Centuries, and more. Unfolds to
24" x 36"                            

IRISH GENEALOGICAL RECORDS

IRISH RECORDS: SOURCES FOR FAMILY AND LOCAL HISTORY
by James G. Ryan.  One of the most comprehensive resource guides available. Records are
arranged alphabetically by country, and each chapter gives a  brief history, followed by census
records, Church records, and other documents such as newspapers and wills.  This volume gives
the family historian a working knowledge of historical events that have shaped genealogical
research and is an excellent guide for filling out the family tree. Large format hardcover, 
562 pp. 

DIRECTORY OF IRISH ARCHIVES  edited by Seamus Helferty and Raymond Refausse.  A
valuable introduction to the many scattered location of primary source material, this first directory
of its kind for Ireland covers 150 repositories and organizations which hold records of historical
significance.  Paper, 112 pp., 

HOW TO TRACE YOUR IRISH ROOTS  by Nora Ni Anghousa.  Starting with information about
what to do at home, this informative but easy-to-read book describes the process of tracing
records through Churches, libraries and other record offices.  Also listed are Roman catholic
dioceses and parishes, Protestant parishes, and useful addresses. Paper, 68 pp. 

SYMBOLS OF IRISH HERALDRY EXPLAINED by Heraldic Artists.  A short introduction to
heraldry, explaining the significance of emblems, symbols and heraldic devices found on
European coats of arms.  Well-known Irish heraldic symbols are also explained against the
background of Celtic Mythology. Paper 100 pp., 

THE SEARCH FOR MISSING FRIENDS:  IRISH IMMIGRATION ADVERTISEMENTS PLACED
IN THE BOSTON PILOT, VOLUMES 1 (1831- 1850), 2 (1851-1853) and 3 (1854-1856) edited by
Ruth-Ann M. Harris and Donald Jacobs.  The Missing friends column was a standing feature of
the Boston Pilot, providing readers a means of advertising for friends and  relatives and assisting
thousands of immigrant searches across the country.  These volumes present a chronological
transcription of these ads during the years indicated. The key information provided in the ads
county, township, and parish of origin, ports of entry and destination, age, occupation, etc.  make
this an important source of Irish immigration information.  Each volume is hardcover,
approximately 700 pp., 

THE UNCOUNTED IRISH IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES  by Margaret Fitzgerald and
Joseph King.  Intensive research challenges previous assumptions about Irish immigration,
revealing forgotten areas of Irish American social history. New World branches include New
Brunswick, Mirimichi, Wisconsin, Texas, Iowa, and California.  The Fenian attempt to establish an
Irish Republic in Canada is also recounted.  Sections on place names, St. Patricks Day
celebrations, Irish-American presidents, and indexes to surnames and places make this a
comprehensive and invaluable book.  Hardcover, 300 pp., 40 illustrations and b/w photos, 

THE BOOK OF IRISH FAMILIES GREAT AND SMALL.  The largest compilation of Irish family
names and coats-of -arms ever bound together under one cover, this massive work draws upon
the vast manuscript collection of the Irish Genealogical Foundation.  Thousands of  names and
hundreds of coats-of-arms not found in any other work make this a hallmark in the field of Irish 
family studies.  Also provided are concrete steps, helpful addresses, recommended sources, and
explanations of terms and administrative divisions.  Its main appeal, however, is its pages and
pages of brief family name histories and  b/w illustrations of coats-of-arms.  Large format, 310
pp., hardcover 

SPECIAL COUNTY RECORDS

COUNTY LONGFORD AND ITS PEOPLE. A major source of information on Longford families
during the 19th century, with over 10,000 householders and nearly 7,000 servants and lodgers
listed.  an accompanying map is based on  the ordnance survey, Paper, 214 pp., 
FAMILIES OF CO. KERRY; FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE 20TH CENTURY by Michael
C. O'Laughlin.  This new work focuses on Co. Kerry, providing 1700 family surnames either
locations and origins.  A substantial introduction provides a wealth of historical information about
the invasions and settling of the county, from the 12th through the 20th century.  For each name
there is a brief description compiled from the massive resources of the Irish genealogical
Foundation.  Maps, household listings, a bibliography and index of surnames and place names
all contribute to this excellent new source for Co. Kerry research, Clothbound, 250 pp., 

SURNAMES OF DERRY The richness and variety of Derry surnames are part of its dynamic
history.  Brian Mitchell attempts to identify the origins of all names in the Foyle Community
Directory, including Gaelic-Irish sept names, Scottish clan names, names based on English place
names, and new arrivals.  Paper, 165 pp., 

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS.
If you would like to order any of these products, we accept VISA, MASTERCARD, AND
DISCOVER -NOVUS. Send card name, number and expiration date. Include $3.00 for shipping
and handling in the continental USA. For UK & Europe add 30%  for Air, Pacific Rim add 40%  for
Air, South America add 30% for Air. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for
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Shamrock & Thistle 234 Division St. NW , Olympia WA,  98502, USA  You may place phone
orders between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Saturday.  Phone
360-357-9543 or respond by email to shamrock@halcyon.com.


Another tip from Linda:
Book description: Ireland Census Index, CD/ROM
Book ID: 197                  Dept: CD-ROM

Ireland Census Index, 1831,1841
Each record contains township, county and state of all heads of household. Also included are the
page numbers of the record in the actual census and the surname soundex code. Over
50,000,000 Americans now have Irish ancestry. This index to County Londonderry for 1831 and
County Cavan for 1841 is a valuable beginning for research in the Emerald Island. #197. 

How to order this book...
http://www.genealogy.com/blairs