Three Genealogy Talks/Workshops led by Dr. Noreen Higgins-McHugh

For Local History buffs and aspiring Family Historians who are excited about bringing the past to life, the Thomas MacDonagh Museum, Cloughjordan offers exceptional opportunities over the summer to attend three Genealogy Talks/Workshops led by Tipperary historian Dr. Noreen Higgins-McHugh.

These Genealogy Sessions will take place on Saturday mornings from 10.30am to 1pm and incorporate both lecture and workshop components, each part lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Participants will bring a laptop to access various genealogy online sources. Beginners welcome; Cost €15 per session; Limited places; All three sessions on sale now via Eventbrite and email enquiries to info@macdonaghmuseum.ie.

In ‘The Lives of our Ancestors in the 1926 Census’ on Saturday 20 June, Noreen explores the cultural heritage of previous generations listed in the newly released1926 Census via the 1937-38 Schools Folklore Collection. Participants will learn about previous generations in their family – their traditions,  music/songs/games,  stories/folklore and everyday practices.

In ‘Graveyards & Death Customs’ on Saturday 18 July. Noreen helps participants to locate the birth, marriage and death certs of their ancestors. Death rituals such as the wake, prayers, funeral rituals, grave location, types of headstones, ‘passion’ headstones, wording on headstones, gravestone epitaphs will be discussed.

In ‘Heritage At Risk – The Stories of Your Ancestors’ on Saturday 15 August as part of Heritage Week, Noreen “will help participants explore the storytelling aspect of genealogy, which is the first and most important step in tracing your family tree”.

Dr Noreen Higgins McHugh, PhD, MA, BEd is the author of Tipperary’s Tithe War, 1830-1838 (Tipperary, 2002) and A Guide to Tracing Your Tipperary Ancestors (Dublin, 2018). She has also contributed numerous articles to various historical journals. She is secretary to the County Tipperary Historical Society, based at Tipperary Studies, The Source, Thurles.