Well, the new Irish series of Who Do You Think You Are has just aired on RTE1 last night 9thSeptember 2018. The first episode featured Damien Dempsey, well known Singer/Songwriter from Dublin. He traced his paternal and maternal family and the research took him from Dublin during the Revolutionary period to Massachusetts in the USA. We were delighted to have been asked to help out with our genealogy services.
Anne-Marie Smith of Into The Past Genealogy Services, Raheny, Dublin, had the privilege of tracing some of those ancestors for him and appearing on the programme. It was an emotionally charged journey for Damien (Damo) tinged with some sadness to find one ancestor in Letterfrack Industrial School. Other members of his family were prolific during Ireland’s fight for freedom and independence, who fought gallantly and paid the price. Some even left Ireland during the 19thcentury and he re-traced their footsteps and their journey during the programme.
Tracing your ancestors can be a roller coaster of emotions and a very eventful journey! It can take you to any corner of the world and give you an insight into how your ancestors lived, worked and in some cases fought or died for their country. It can bring closure for some people, and can fill in the many blanks in a family tree. Ultimately it defines Who You Are and where You came from and can often explain where those characteristics or traits in your own personality came from – perhaps from a distant ancestor!
If you would like to trace your ancestors and take the ‘journey of a lifetime’ then contact Anne-Marie Smith, Into The Past Genealogy Services, Raheny, Dublin 5, or email ams.intothepast@gmail.comYou can also visit our website at: https://www.intothepast.co/
Enjoy the Journey!