From Tyranny to Freedom: Irish Contributions to the American Revolution

Saturday, April 18
Lecture (In Person and Online): 2-3 p.m.
Reception (In Person): 3-4 p.m.

It's estimated that upwards of 50% of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War were Irish immigrants. Many Irish also served in the British Army. Torn between loyalty to the British Crown, economic stability, and opportunity, the Irish made a lasting impact during the war and post-war settlement in the American colonies. Join Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb to learn about the incentives offered to the Irish from both sides of the conflict, how to research their military service, pensions, bounty land, and identify their origins in Ireland.

Register below:

Online

In Person

Note: All registrants will receive a recording of the event after its completion. Members save 10%. This event will take place online and in person at American Ancestors' headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. For information on visiting American Ancestors, click here.

This event is presented in partnership with the Irish Genealogical Research Society.

About the IGRS

The Irish Genealogical Research Society is a learned society, established in 1936. The primary concern back then was to gather surviving copies of materials which had been lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in Dublin in 1922.

The IGRS’s journal, the Irish Genealogist, has been published annually since 1937. The core of its unique reference library was formed at its foundation, and the collection has been greatly expanded since. The library is widely recognized as the world’s largest and most important collection of Irish genealogical material held in private hands.

Despite it being a learned society, the IGRS is also a welcoming one, aiming to help those starting their family history experience. It has members in various countries across the globe, including Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and the USA.  Its Ireland Branch serves members throughout the island of Ireland, while there is also a group for those living in the London and South-East of England.

As well as through the journal, members are kept informed by a regular newsletter, a monthly e-bulletin, the website (www.irishancestors.ie) and social media posts. Online lectures, mainly hosted by the Ireland Branch, are open to members and non-members, while there is a growing collection of lecture recordings. The annual general meeting is held online.  Since 2020 the Wallace Clare Award has been presented annually, celebrating outstanding long-term contributions to the development of Irish genealogy worldwide.