Since doing this interview series, as me only being a beginner in genealogy for 3 years, I am finding these interviews a huge learning experience and I'm receiving so much positive feedback from them, so thank you to all that read & take part in them. Claire is one of 2 people I've met from the online genealogy community having met her at Back to Our Past in October 2019. This is my interview with her
1. Introduce yourself:
Claire Bradley - part-time professional genealogist, part-time many other things!
2. What got you into genealogy?
A school project aged 12. I questioned my 3 living grandparents and got the bug, then picked it up seriously when I was in college.
3. What interesting things have you learnt about your ancestors?
One of my ancestors was a Home Rule MP for Limerick. My most exotic ancestor is a Welsh gg grandmother! I also have a number of military men.
4. Is there any source that you've used in your research that usually might be overlooked?
House of Commons Parliamentary papers which is not just about what goes on there but also details of river pilots, postal service, petitions
5. What are you currently focusing on in your research?
My current personal research is on a family called Ure and trying to link together all people in Ireland with that name. I'm also working on a fascinating genetic genealogy project with Middlesex University in the UK.
6. What difficulties have you come across in your research?
The paucity of Irish 19th century census records is a continual thorn in my side. Also a lot of my ancestors were urban dwellers so they don't appear in sources like Griffiths Valuation or the Tithe Applotment books.
7. What would you say to people starting out in genealogy?
Ask lots of questions of everyone older in your family. Use props like photos. Maybe even say wrong things so that people will correct you "Grannie was in the GPO in the Rising, wasn't she?"
Thank you to Claire fort taking part and if you haven't already please follow her on Twitter and like her page on Facebook & stay tuned for my next interview this Friday!
1. Introduce yourself:
Claire Bradley - part-time professional genealogist, part-time many other things!
2. What got you into genealogy?
A school project aged 12. I questioned my 3 living grandparents and got the bug, then picked it up seriously when I was in college.
3. What interesting things have you learnt about your ancestors?
One of my ancestors was a Home Rule MP for Limerick. My most exotic ancestor is a Welsh gg grandmother! I also have a number of military men.
4. Is there any source that you've used in your research that usually might be overlooked?
House of Commons Parliamentary papers which is not just about what goes on there but also details of river pilots, postal service, petitions
5. What are you currently focusing on in your research?
My current personal research is on a family called Ure and trying to link together all people in Ireland with that name. I'm also working on a fascinating genetic genealogy project with Middlesex University in the UK.
6. What difficulties have you come across in your research?
The paucity of Irish 19th century census records is a continual thorn in my side. Also a lot of my ancestors were urban dwellers so they don't appear in sources like Griffiths Valuation or the Tithe Applotment books.
7. What would you say to people starting out in genealogy?
Ask lots of questions of everyone older in your family. Use props like photos. Maybe even say wrong things so that people will correct you "Grannie was in the GPO in the Rising, wasn't she?"
Thank you to Claire fort taking part and if you haven't already please follow her on Twitter and like her page on Facebook & stay tuned for my next interview this Friday!