Tuesday 3 July 2012

The tragedy of modern Irish genealogy

Irish genealogist John Grenham has a great blog post with many home truths online at http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/irishroots/2012/07/02/why-cant-we-all-just-get-along/#.T_LQUlxn5Z8.twitter - essentially pointing out the tragedy of the cat fighting within the Irish genealogical establishment. Everyone wants the product, but no-one can effectively access it because everyone else thinks they own it, and no-one wants to give way. It's almost childish. It is unfortunately also embarrassingly, excrutiatingly, typically, very Irish.

As John says, the real victims are those trying to do their research - the very groups these communities are supposed to be trying to help. As the demand for Irish resources continues to grow exponentially, let's hope the trenches don't get any deeper.

I recommend they all head to Bewleys for a session - there's no better place to wake up and smell the coffee. Martin McGuinness shook hands with the Queen last week. And if they can do it...

(With thanks to @8thRDF)

Chris

Check out my Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)

2 comments:

  1. I suppose a reporter could dryly say: The reason why the Queen and Mr McGuinness shook hands was because they both agreed it was a good idea.

    (I suppose part of the point of the article is that others also of the Emerald Isle could find it in themselves to do likewise...)

    Mark

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  2. Another peace process? It might just work...! lol

    Chris

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