Genealogy Jottings

My local genealogical society in Highlands Ranch, Colorado continues to seek ways to engage its members. This year they are setting up some Special Interest Groups that will gather outside regular club meetings to work on topics that might not be of interest to all members.

One of these is an Irish study group. I decided to join. The first meeting is today at the Highlands Ranch Library.

A couple of years ago, I learned through DNA testing that my maternal great-grandfather was Irish. His name was Richard Ryan, and his parents immigrated from Ireland during the potato famine.

I have two lines of Irish ancestors to research:

1. Richard’s mother, Jane Lawless, came over with her family from County Louth. I have located baptism records there for her and her siblings. Her parents were Thomas Lawless and Bridget Hamill who were born about 1800.  I would like to learn more about their families and trace their lines back further.
2. Richard’s father was Daniel Ryan who was born in Ireland about 1829. I know nothing about his family. Other people named Ryan who are buried in the cemetery near where Jane and Daniel were married came from the diocese of Cashel & Emly in the Irish counties of Limerick and Tipperary.

DNA testing tell me I should have ancestry in County Cork. So where did Daniel Ryan come from? He has such a common name, and so far I have been unsuccessful in finding his origin in Ireland. Should I be looking in Limerick, Tipperary, or Cork?

I hope this study group can introduce me to some Irish research records and techniques. We will meet once a month until the end of the year, and I would like to uncover some new family information by then.