Claire Bradley is a Dublin-based genetic genealogist specialising in ancestry from Ireland
I spent the last few days in lovely Kilrush, Co. Clare for their first genealogy conference. The theme was from the Great Famine to the 1926 census. Friday night featured a talk from Zoe Reid, Keeper of Manuscripts in the National Archives, followed by a talk from Catriona Crowe, who led the project to put…
Today is World Quaker Day. I’ve spent a lot of time studying the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland. Their records are phenomenal. So much so that I chose to write my Masters dissertation on them. The woman below is Dinah Wilson Goff (1783-1858), youngest member of a family who had 18 children. There are…
The latest edition of Fingal Studies is now out. This is the offical journal of Fingal Local Studies and Archives, published annually. The launch will take place on Saturday as part of the Fingal Festival of History, at which I’m also speaking. It’s my first time publishing an article in this journal and it’s a…
I’ve been a member of the Irish Genealogical Research Society for 14 years and spent a large subset of that time on the Ireland Branch committee and the Council which runs the organisation, only stepping back when I began my Masters. As a then young genealogist, who still had another full time job, I benefitted…
Now in its 10th year, Fingal Festival of History is part of the wider Dublin Festival of History and takes place over 26th September to 11th October next. There’s a fascinating array of talks, many of which are themed around the European Union to tie in with Ireland’s current presidency. I have two free talks…
Enrollment has opened for the next term of my beginner’s Irish genealogy class which starts on Monday 14th September for 6 weeks. Topics covered include the census, civil records, church records, an intro to land records and DNA. Places are limited. If you’d like to book, head over to Malahide Adult Education and pay online.
This post covers June, July and August. Most of these are in-person talks which won’t be recorded. June Starting your Family tree. Friday 12th June for Lansdowne and District Residents Association in Sandymount Community Centre at 19:30. Book through LADRA. Using DNA tests for family history. Wednesday 17th June for Mayo Genealogy Group online. July…
With the excitement about the release of the 1926 census on 18th April, you shouldn’t be surprised that most of April & May sessions are about it. Each one will be tailored for the area I’m speaking in. April (all about the 1926 Census) Tuesday 28th April in Swords, hosted by Fingal Local Studies &…
It’s not even Christmas yet but I’m prepping for January work. I’m kicking off 2026 with a talk called “Demystifying your Irish Ancestors” for the Phyllis Court Social & Family History Society. I won’t be visiting Henley on Thames in person so this members-only talk is on Zoom on Monday 12th January. On Tuesday 13th…
As part of an ongoing series for Family Tree Magazine, I’ve reviewed RootsMagic10. It’s one of the market leading softwares for family history. I was completely new to it so was able to offer a fresh perspective. My article is in the edition on sale right now, online and in shops. There’s also an online…