Tips from an Irish Geneologist
Behind the Scenes with Noreen Maher: Unlocking Irish Family Histories
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Noreen Maher, renowned Irish genealogist, to get a glimpse into the heart of her work—and her love for connecting people with their Irish roots. It’s not just about tracing names and dates; for Noreen, it’s about bringing family stories to life.
“I treat each case as if it were my own family,” Noreen tells us. “I still get excited when I find a piece of the puzzle. I’m like a dog with a bone—I don’t give up!”
Her clients span the globe, wherever there’s an Irish diaspora, and her approach combines meticulous research with a deep respect for oral histories. “As anyone who’s started family research knows, the stories you’ve heard from older relatives whet your interest. Oral history is just as important—often more interesting—than document searching, though the two complement each other beautifully.”
Why Hire a Genealogist?
You might think that with so much information online, you can handle your family research yourself. But Noreen is quick to point out the challenges:
“It’s not as simple as Googling names. You need to know the reliable sources, understand what exists in Irish records, and be aware of the quirks of Irish surnames and place names. Local knowledge is invaluable—and let’s face it, we’re all time-poor. Outsourcing your research makes sense.”
Her advice for beginners is clear: start with what you know, work backwards, and separate facts from theory. Pick one line of the family at a time, and always verify information. Family anecdotes are gold, but they’re just the beginning.
Getting Started
Noreen encourages anyone starting on a genealogy journey to:
Interview family members: Come prepared with questions about parents, grandparents, occupations, and life events. Listen carefully, and don’t prompt answers—different relatives may tell the same story in surprising ways.
Gather family documents: Birth, marriage, and death certificates, pension books, wills, photos, letters, and family bibles are treasure troves of information.
Stay organized: Keep detailed notes, whether digitally or on paper, and maintain a system to avoid mixing up dates or names.
Be flexible with names and dates: Historical records often show varying spellings or ages. Use them as guides, not absolute truth.
Use the internet wisely: While there’s growing Irish material online, anyone can post information. Stay cautious, avoid unverified online family trees, and always cross-check facts.
A Case Study: Finding Aunt Mary
One story perfectly illustrates Noreen’s detective-like approach. Years ago, her father’s cousin asked her to track down a grandaunt Mary who had gone to America and reportedly been murdered by her husband. The challenge? No married name, time period, or husband’s name—just that she was in Montana.
Noreen began with a known starting point: Mary Maher, daughter of Jeremiah Maher and Mary Gleeson. Using family and public records, she discovered Mary had remarried and become Mary Fitzpatrick Roach. Her next step? Local connections.
Through the Montana Historical Society, Noreen uncovered newspapers and commemorative booklets detailing Mary’s life. Mary had been a prominent businesswoman, running a restaurant and boarding house in Glasgow, Montana. Newspaper reports even described her as a “sturdy” woman who could physically eject unruly customers! While definitive proof of her husband’s involvement in her death remains elusive, Noreen’s research revealed a vibrant, fascinating life.
“It’s always worth looking beyond online sources,” Noreen emphasizes. “Check the facts. Family stories are the spark, but research is what brings the full picture to life.”
The Heart of the Work
For Noreen, genealogy isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. “I love connecting people with their Irish homeplace. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone meet their history for the first time, or discovering stories they never knew existed. That’s why I do what I do.”
From tracing census records to digging through local newspapers, Noreen Maher shows that uncovering Irish family history is as much about the journey as the destination. Her work reminds us that every family story has its place in the tapestry of history—and sometimes, a dogged determination is all it takes to bring it to light.
For Noreen, genealogy isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. “I love connecting people with their Irish homeplace. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone meet their history for the first time, or discovering stories they never knew existed. That’s why I do what I do.”
From tracing census records to digging through local newspapers, Noreen Maher shows that uncovering Irish family history is as much about the journey as the destination. Her work reminds us that every family story has its place in the tapestry of history—and sometimes, a dogged determination is all it takes to bring it to light.
We partner with people like Noreen to help people in the quest to not only complete their family trees but experience the land their ancestors lived and worked on. To see more of our offerings, please go to irishfamilyheritagetrust.com