Family tree research for students

Transition year students at Coláiste Mhuire Ballymote Secondary school have been researching their family history.

Genealogist and Local Historian from Galway, Martin Curley has been working closely with the TY students over the last number of weeks. The work shop was funded by the Ballymote Heritage Group and allowed the students to learn about their family history, looking back at surname origins. They presented their findings last Friday.

Martin says: “The feedback has been positive. The students were interested to find family connections. At the beginning of the course I asked students what they wanted to achieve from the sessions and the main theme was that they wanted to see who they were related to and to see where them came from and what brought their families to the area.

“For TY students the year is all about work and research and this project was the perfect fit.”

Some of the students have been able to look back at their family history from more than 200 years ago using a basic family tree method, marriage records, immigration records and census records. They have uncovered valuable information. One student learned that his Great- great Grandfather was killed in the First World War. Within smaller communities like Ballymote, Martin believes it is easier to find out about family connections.

Some students even learned that they are distant cousins.