Merriman Research & Training

 The Sheehan Surname: Peaceful Warriors originating from the  Dál gCais in Munster Ireland The Sheehan name, from Gaelic Ó Siodhacháin meaning "descendant of the peaceful one," carries a rich history tied to Ireland's Munster province and the mighty Dál gCais tribe. Featured in genealogy radio discussions from Kilkee, it ranks among Ireland's top surnames, with deep roots in Limerick, Clare, Cork, and Kerry. This blog expands on transcripts, documents, and historical sources to trace Sheehans from ancient clans to a global diaspora.   Etymology and Early Roots Sheehan derives from Ó Siodhacháin, a patronymic where "Ó" means "descendant of," linked to "siodhach" (peaceful) or "siodach" (gentle). Celtic scholars question a purely peaceful origin, emphasising its Dál gCais sept status in Thomond (North Munster), extending across modern Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Kerry, and Offaly. The clan seated in Lower Connello barony, south L...

  The surname MacSweeney, rendered in Irish as Mac Suibhne , holds a prominent place within the historical study of Gaelic Ireland, not only because of its enduring regional associations but because of its close connection to the development of hereditary military service in the medieval period. As explored on The Genealogy Radio Show, the MacSweeneys are best understood not simply as a surname rooted in one locality, but as a lineage shaped by migration, martial profession, and political patronage. Their history provides an instructive example of how the institution of the galloglass influenced the movement of peoples, the distribution of surnames, and the emergence of new power structures across late medieval Ireland. Our show today can be heard through The Genealogy Radio Show: From Norse Gael Mercenaries to Gaelic Powerbrokers. Other shows of interest can be heard also at  https://rcb.ie/ The name itself derives from Mac Suibhne, meaning “son of Suibhne ”. The programme ma...

 The Kirby surname story, as told on the Genealogy Radio Show’s Surnames and Sources series, is not simply a tale of one family name. It is a small lantern held up to a much bigger landscape: Viking arrival, Gaelic assimilation, church lands, coastlines and riverways, and the way careful sources and statistics can turn fragments of the past into something you can visualise. You can listen to the Kirby show episode at Raidio Corcabaiscinn: The Genealogy Radio Show - The Kirby surname - surnames and sources Imagine the first layers of it the way the old writers do, in the language of wonder and warning. The annals call the newcomers “foreigners” and split them into “dark” and “fair” groups. The show notes how those labels are not as simple as hair colour, and may instead relate to armour, weaponry, or different Norse groupings, with one linked to Norwegians and the other to Danes. Either way, the point is that Ireland noticed them, recorded them, and remembered them, and those memori...

Our show yesterday examined the legacies of St Patrick, we found out lots of interesting facts about him and you can listen to all on The Genealogy Radio Sh

Meghan Markle's Irish Ancestral Roots could trace back to McCagues in Ballinasloe. However it looks more likely as our McCAGUE sources are about to reveal another surprise, but that would be telling. Meghan Markle's Ancestral Irish roots research on the BIRD and McCAGUE surname is now ready and what a journey for Mary McCAGUE raising her infant girls on the Island of Malta in Victorian Times. Mary McCAGUE is perhaps a Galway Girl, but we have to wait and see, there is still a lot of work to do http://www.clansandsurnames.com/genenews/

Recommendations - http://www.lornamoloney.com/recommendations.html  for Books for 2017 Conference May 14 -18, 2018 - Irish Family History Research - www.clansandsurnames.com

CLICK HERE   Register Now Online Trace your Irish Roots Our research week to help you trace your roots is open for 2018. It will take place from May 14-18, 2018.  This research week will help you research your Irish roots in any location of Ireland. The programme for 2018 can be viewed at  Clans and Surnames 2018 .  Speakers Please see our link for extensive profiles at  https://www.conferize.com/clans-and-surnames-irish-family-history-week-may-2018/speakers Day 1 of our schedule May 14: Beginning Our Research Journey See how your ancestors lived For 2018, we will have a full day field trip taking in Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Portumna Workhouse, and Portumna Castle. This practice-based family ancestry will help you put together family histories, genealogy projects and assist you in finding Irish family roots.  We offer a suitable package for a companion who does not take the programme should you wish to travel wit...

The Irish DNA Atlas Project Review Irish DNA The genealogy radio show will be reviewing the Irish DNA Atlas Project. To participate in this study, please see details below or sign up for our newsletter. What is it about? The Irish DNA Atlas Project is about Genetics and Genealogy. The study output has provided a genetic map of the people of Ireland. It is a joint effort from  Researchers from the  RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) and  The Genealogical Society of Ireland   HOW TO PARTICIPATE The Irish DNA Atlas is an ongoing study. If you have ancestry from a specific part of Ireland and you are interested in participating, please contact Séamus O’Reilly from the Genealogical Association of Ireland via   irish.dna@familyhistory.ie . Current Key findings Prior to the mass movement of people in recent decades, there were numerous distinct genetic clusters found in specific regions across Ireland. Seven of ...

Meghan Markle's Irish Ancestry - Descended from Kings Well after a week of searching and verifying and assistance through facebook genealogy member, and the McGoldrick family tree on line, I have found our elusive Mary Bird in the marriage record of one of her daughters, Harriet E. Bird or Hattie Bird, born in Malta in 1866 and marrying in 1893 and in the 1900 US Census and 1910 census online and others. Harriet E. McMinimon nee (Bird) born in Malta in 1866 died in 1945, Father, Thomas Bird, Mother, Mary McCAGUE.  It was the Merrill Paternal line who had the mother, Mary Smith. Citation  McCAGUE location are Monaghan, and Ulster. derived from Mac Thaidhg  from first name Tadhg, Poet.  Quite numerous: Monaghan & scattered in Ulster. Ir.  Mac Thaidhg , from first name  Tadhg , poet. A rare surname,  his rare and interesting  surname , of Gaelic (Irish)  origin , and a variant of the Old Gaelic patronymic MacThaidhg. ...  ...