Hi Chuck,
I have been working on genealogy for a couple of years now.  My mom and aunts didn't know the County in Ireland, but when I obtained a few death certificates, I found a couple that said Co. Kerry.  Then, on the death certificate of one of my grandmother's cousins, her mother's place of birth was listed as Tralee, Co. Kerry.  (I have other branches with links to Co. Tipperary and Co. Kilkenny that are mentioned in obituaries from the late 1800's.) 

When we traveled to Ireland last October, I took along the pages of my report listing the names and dates of birth for my great-great-grandmother and her children, who came to the USA around 1885.  Tralee was in our path so we stopped at the library to see what resources were available.  They suggested we go to the office of the Catholic church.  The woman there was very skeptical -- I think they have a lot of people coming in looking for their roots -- but since I had my report and assured her that I did have one legal document saying "Tralee" she agreed to pass my request on.  She said I should call in a few days to see if there were any results.  I think I was almost as skeptical as she was...

Imagine my surprise and joy when I called and heard she had found eight records for me -- baptismal records for the children and marriage certificates for my great-great and great-great-great grandparents!  We made a quick trip back to Tralee from Ennis the day before we were heading home.  There was a small fee -- worth every Euro! -- and we were also able to get more info from the library.  It was a thrill to visit the street where they had lived.

I once heard from another researcher that when they mentioned their roots to the owner of the B&B where they were staying, they were taken to the church in the next village and ended up finding records. 

It's a long shot, but take copies of whatever info you have along.  There are research centers in some of the counties; many records are located in Dublin.  I hope to do more research the next time I go back.  Maybe by then I will have gathered more details on my other branches.

Best of luck to you!

Chuck,

If you haven't already found the site,familysearch is a great resource. As well, try this link. Most of my family comes from Northern Ireland, Co Armagh and Antrim. However those two links shouuld start you on your way.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

Slan Beo,

Bit Devine

-- Edited by CowboyCraic at 17:34, 2007-05-28