Introducing a Legend in Irish Genealogy Circles

Céad Míle Fáilte  and welcome to this week’s Letter from Ireland. Spring is in full bloom here in County Cork – the fields are turning that unmistakable Irish green, the first wildflowers are popping along the hedgerows, and there’s a buzz of activity in the countryside. Farmers are out ploughing and planting, and with the longer days comes a renewed sense of energy. How are things in your part of the world today?

I’m sitting here with a cup of Lyons’ tea in hand, I hope you’ll join me with whatever you fancy as we settle into today’s letter. This week, I’d like to introduce—or perhaps reintroduce—you to a true treasure in the world of Irish genealogy: John Grenham.

 

The Genealogist’s Genealogist: John Grenham

Over the years, many of you have shared your journeys into Irish family research—your successes and the inevitable frustrations that come with tracing elusive ancestors. One such message arrived recently from Tom:

“Mike, I’ve hit a brick wall with my Murphy ancestors from Cork. I’ve traced them back to the 1840s but can’t seem to go any further. Any suggestions on where to turn next?”

Tom’s message immediately brought one man to mind—the person who has helped thousands break through those brick walls: John Grenham.

If you haven’t come across John before, he’s something of a legend in Irish genealogy circles. His book, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors (now in its 5th edition), is widely considered the definitive guide for Irish family history research. Whether it’s parish records, land documents, census data, or those notoriously tricky Irish naming patterns—John knows it all.

 

A Lifetime Devoted to Irish Ancestry

What makes John’s work so valuable is his deep understanding of the unique challenges involved in Irish genealogy. Many of you will be familiar with the heartbreak of discovering that vital records were destroyed in the 1922 Public Record Office fire during the Civil War.

John has dedicated his career to helping researchers navigate these gaps—finding alternative pathways through tax records, newspaper archives, local histories, and more.

If you’ve ever attended one of his workshops, you’ll know the experience: a roomful of frustrated researchers suddenly breathing sighs of relief as he lays out clear, practical strategies for uncovering lost family connections. It’s truly something to witness.

His website, JohnGrenham.com, has become a cornerstone for anyone serious about Irish family research. It brings together civil and parish records, census data, and his own carefully compiled surname database—all in one searchable place.

 

A Green Room Collaboration

Back in 2019, we were delighted to connect with John—and that partnership has grown stronger over time. Since then, Green Room members have enjoyed free access to JohnGrenham.com, unlocking hours of saved time and frustration in their research journeys.

And now, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news:

We’ve arranged a series of six exclusive webinars with John himself—free for all Green Room members. Starting at the end of this month – and occurring monthly thereafter, he’ll be covering topics such as:

• Irish Surnames: Origins, development, and locations, including surnames of Norman and Planter origins.
• Territories: The origins and development of Gaelic kingdoms, Viking and monastic towns, parishes, and townlands.
• Church and Religion: Types of religion in Ireland, available records, and where to find them. 
• Civil and Land Records: Using historical maps and records.
• Tracking Occupants of a Townland: Tracing occupants of a particular townland from the 1700s to the 20th century using online and offline tools.
• New Developments in Irish Genealogy: Key advancements over the last decade and what’s on the horizon. 

Each session is a chance to learn directly from one of Ireland’s foremost genealogy experts—and even put your own questions to him.

 

Why Expert Guidance Matters

As we often say, researching Irish ancestry isn’t for the faint-hearted. The complexities of Irish history, the loss of many records, and the quirks of our language and administrative past can make it quite the challenge.

But having an expert guide like John can make all the difference.

One of his greatest strengths is the way he makes complicated research strategies feel accessible—offering practical advice whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been digging into your family tree for years.

Have you used John’s book or website before? What do you think of the webinar topics we have outlined above? What different specific topics would you love to see covered in the webinars? Send me an email or if you’re a Plus member, mention it in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

That’s it for this week.

Slán for now,
Mike