Am I of Irish decent?

Question

Going by my mother's maiden name and my fathers last name, I should be German/Scottish. Well names of Americans have gotten jummbled over these 200 years, can I actually trust last names?

I cannot afford to pay someone to look up my geneology. So I can't go that route.

The reason I ask if I'm of Irish decent is because I have a VERY strong connection with Irish culture and heritage. I mean ever since I was very small I've loved everything Irish. I've been to Ireland and I didn't nesscearly feel at home but I felt like I'd been there before (strange I know). I "feel" I am of Irish heritage, so am I? Can I go by that? A "feeling"? Is that right?

I know all of my grandparents and great grandparents and they know nothing but of America. I've searched online and come up to a dead end in America.

I'm just an American Mutt huh?

Answer 1

Haley, you are a step ahead of most people, by knowing that you CANNOT trust last names.
Second... to me, paying someone to look up my genealogy would be like paying someone to go on vacation FOR me. I can't imagine doing that. (and I have done some professional work for others.. so that isn't entirely accurate either).
http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/
The internet is a great tool for finding HOW to trace your lineage. You can do it yourself, as many already have done.
The cool thing about genealogy is that it is based in method, and "proof", not speculation. Makes it much more accurate, if done well.
As for feelings... enjoy it. You might find out that you do have an Irish ancestor and can claim it legitimately. I live in the Dallas area, and today my "feeling" is that I might be related to some fish somewhere.
Have fun, and dig in.

Answer 2

Though the names of Americans have gotten a bit jumbled lately, if you know that one of your parents is German, and the other Scottish, then you are just that, a combination of the two. It is very good that you feel a strong connection with Irish culture, because even if you are not Irish, it is very easy for anyone to feel at peace there due to the friendly atmosphere and the natural beauty of the place. So if you know that you're Scottish and German, then unless one of your parents is half Irish, it is unlikely that you are Irish. But maybe I'm wrong, as you said, names in America have been jumbled up quite a bit, which can happen through marriage, so who knows you may be Irish. I am half Irish, my great grandparents were born in the Republic of Ireland, but due to marriage to a Northern Irishman my last name is Northern Irish instead of what it would've been had my grandmother not married. Hope this helped lol.

Answer 3

The Latter Day Saints maintain an on line web site that is free to the public: http://www.familysearch.org. Additionally, US Census records from 1790 to 1930 are available both online and at any public or university library with a government document section. Turn of the century census records list both the individual and his or her father's and mother's birthplace, which, in many cases, is a state in the Union.

Don't assume any particular ethnic background by looking just at your mother's maiden name and your dad's last name because this might be misleading. Likewise, your gut feelings need to be verified by written evidence.

Answer 4

I don't know what you "searched" online but you quit too soon! Genealogy is about researching dead ancestors. Since you have the information you need where you next begin searching is census images which are available 1790-1930.

I really got a grin at what Wendy said about paying someone to vacation for her, and just now feeling like a fish, hahaha!

(Want to know a secret for getting 10 times the housecleaning done in a short time? LOUD bagpipe music.)

Answer 5

What do you mean, you can't afford to pay someone?? You've got the internet, and the desire to know. Take the initiative, and dig deeper. You CAN do this. All it takes is a little determination. That's coming from an American person of Irish decent. Go for it baby!

Answer 6

it could be because you are Celtic. there were Celts in Scotland as well. i would think you would know if you are because the Irish are a proud people but still not one of the nationalities that were favored. and a great many Irish were here because of the Famine. Start with the name you feel is Irish and go from there.

Answer 7

If you are looking for accuracy, then you can't go by how you "feel." If you just want something to make a connection to, though, then sure!

One thing I suggest is to ask around your family for more information. Ask your parents who their parents and grand-parents were. Where did they come from? If they don't know, then ask your aunts and uncles and cousins. Perhaps some of them have more information. You can even try doing a search online for a little more information, though it costs to get a full geneology done, as you obviously know. Try doing your own detective work, though, and you may find you have more facts than you realize.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Do you have any living relatives you can ask?

My family changed their name completely when they came into the country because they couldn't get a visa with their name on it, so you can't necessarily tell. I have all kinds of people telling me "you are from Germany!" because of my last name and I just kind of say sure, ok, because my mom's side of the family is German, but my dad's side of the family where the name came from is Russian.

Answer 9

no,
ur of irish heritage if u KNOW u have a grandmother or family in ireland
just because u have a kinda irish name means nothing

Answer 10

ask your parents or grandparents or even great-grandparents if they are alive, they might know or try googling your last name to find a family tree/maybe your relatives have one.