Next Meeting Saturday, September 20th 2025, 1:30 PM
at The Gaelic League, 2068 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216
Please join us for the monthly meeting of the 2025 - 2026 season featuring Cathy Cottone as our featured speaker. Reminders for this meeting will be emailed out to members as the date approaches. Zoom invitations are sent out to members only due to capacity limitations. Non-Members will be charged $10.00 to access our Zoom presentations.
"Beginning Irish Genealogy"
Discovering your Irish ancestry begins with research here in the United States. Before diving into Irish records, it's important to trace your ancestors’ paper trail—documents that offer clues about their origins in Ireland.
Vital records such as birth and baptism certificates, marriage licenses, naturalization papers, and death records can shed light on where your ancestors came from and help guide your journey across the Atlantic.
This program will introduce you to valuable resources and examples from these records, followed by a discussion of key Irish websites and databases to explore once your search takes you overseas.
I’ve been following my own ancestors’ paper trail since 1991, and I hope the insights I’ve gathered will help you uncover that “golden nugget” in your own research!
Cathy McCarthy Cottone began her genealogical journey in 1991 after inheriting her grandmother's Bible—a treasure trove of family history.
Her heritage spans England, Ireland, Croatia, Finland, and Norway.
For over two decades, Cathy has served as a genealogist at the Lyon Township Public Library in New Hudson, Michigan, assisting patrons in uncovering their family roots.
A dedicated member of the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan for more than 22 years, Cathy has also contributed as a board member and former editor of The Irish Tree.
Her guiding motto? “Genealogy Before Housework.”
