Research

Much of the joy of writing Galway Bay came from the amazing stories and facts I discovered through more than 30 years of reading texts of all kinds in libraries big and small. I found wonderful local histories, typed lovingly in manuscript form, in local libraries in Ireland and in collections of papers such as those in the Chicago History Museum.

This research forms the foundation of Galway Bay. And now with the advent of the Internet these institutions are accessible online, though I found great inspiration in visiting them and actually touching history.

Libraries and Special Collections:

Ballinasloe Library (Co. Galway, Ireland)

Chicago History Museum

Galway County Library (Ireland)

City University Graduate Center Library

National Library of Ireland

Newberry Library (Chicago)

New York Public Library

Quinnipiac Great Hunger Library – Lender Family Special Collection Room

Chicago Public Library-Harold Washington Branch, Special Collections Division

Columbia University Library

University College Dublin – Folklore Collection

University College Galway – Folklore Collection

U.S. Library of Congress

U.S. National Archives

Genealogy Resources:
When I began my research I worked with microfilm and handwritten records. Of course now the Internet offers incredible access. Here are a few popular websites in the US which can help trace your ancestors.

Ancestry.com

The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation

Chicago Irish History

Ireland has done an amazing job of computerizing their genealogical records. Here’s a way to connect to the County Genealogical Centers.

Tourism Ireland has a helpful guide called Tracing Your Ancestors in Ireland. Visit their website Tourism Ireland for more information.

Monuments:
The Great Starvation is commemorated in inspiring ways at many places now. Among those I have visited:

The Irish Hunger Memorial Battery Park City, New York

The Irish Memorial Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia

Irish Famine Museum Strokestown Park, Co, Roscommon, Ireland

Grosse Ile and the Irish Memorial Historic Site of Canada