When I first started posting my blog, I had no idea how much it would grow, the help I would receive from fellow genealogists, the grants I would be awarded, the historical events I would attend and the number of guests who would visit my blog. Who would have thought that as an Australian I could host a High Tea in a castle in Ireland or be the only Australian genealogist invited to the Launch of the Catholic Parish records in Dublin and meet the then Prime Minister/Taoiseach of Ireland?
I commenced researching my Prendergast family because my wonderful father James (Jim) Prendergast was losing his battle with Parkinson’s disease and wanted to know his heritage. I have never doubted his love or that he is watching over me. When I got upgraded to business class onboard my Malaysian flight to travel to Ireland to study at UCC, when people came out of nowhere in Ireland to help carry my baggage, and when I was upgraded from standard to deluxe rooms at several hotels, I knew my dad was there. I know he is smiling right now as he watches over my shoulder while I type this post.
In a race against time, I joined the Whitsunday family history group on February 14 2014, and was guided by some very knowledgeable family historians. Having discovered the UCC genealogy summer school online, I enrolled in the course and was interviewed by the amazing Lorna Moloney on Raidio Corca Bascinne live to air by phone from Australia – a nerve-wracking but exhilarating experience.
Building on the research my amazing mum Lorna Prendergast had recorded in her book ‘One Bloody Battle from Maurice to Madeleine that she printed for the family in 2000, and by accessing all the newly released web information, I was able to put together a plan to continue researching in Australia and to travel to Ireland to study at UCC.
To assist me financially to travel to Ireland, I was encouraged to apply for a RADF grant. When I was awarded my first grant, so that I was transparent and accountable, my husband Barry suggested I post a blog. He created my first blog and later the blog you are now viewing. To compile this blog, I research the topics by travelling to the repositories and locations where they are written both in Australia and overseas, take all the photographs (unless otherwise stated) and post the blogs from buses, trains, ships and planes. I zoom Barry and he checks that all the finer IT details are correct.
Instructions for using the blog.
The blogs are displayed in chronological order from 2015 until the most recent posts. Each post is stand-alone so you can click on whatever interests you, or you can read the journey from the start. To get started click on ‘Post 2015 until now.’ If you want to read my genealogy history, and about my academic studies, please click on the ‘Profile’ page. The ‘Introduction and instruction’ page you are reading now. If you would like to add a comment, these are warmly welcomed. I love to share information regarding the wonderful Prendergast family.
Families of Ireland 