Researching Irish Footprints in Ontario’s Past
Summary DetailsLength: 60 minutes
Attendees will learn how to:
Summary: Discover the lives of Irish immigrants in 19th-century Ontario. Learn how they settled, worshipped, and built communities while facing hardships and leaving lasting legacies. Explore records, case studies, and strategies to help you trace both Protestant and Catholic Irish ancestors in 19th-century rural and urban Ontario.
Audience Level: Intermediate
Requirements: Projection for computer on a large screen; internet connection
Content: 4-page PDF handout
Outline
The Irish were among the largest immigrant groups in 19th-century Ontario, arriving both before and after the Great Famine. This webinar begins with an overview of Irish migration into Upper Canada and Canada West, highlighting rural farming families and urban labourers. Special attention is given to the religious and social communities they built, from Catholic parishes and schools to Protestant congregations and Orange Lodges.
Two case studies bring the story to life: Edward Irwin, a Protestant Irish farmer in Peel County, and the O’Reilly family, Catholic famine refugees in Toronto’s Cabbagetown. Their experiences reflect the contrasting challenges and contributions of Irish immigrants.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand Irish settlement patterns across Ontario.
- Recognize the role of religious and social communities in immigrant lives.
- Use land, census, parish, and institutional records to trace Irish ancestors.
- Connect Canadian records to possible places of origin in Ireland.
By combining history, case studies, and research strategies, you'll discover how to uncover the Irish footprints in your own family’s past in Ontario.
Book This Webinar NOW!
Click HERE to have me present this webinar either through your group’s virtual meeting platform or my StreamYard platform. Includes 45-50 minutes of instruction plus 10-15 Q&A session, PDF handout and a limited time (one year) webinar recording.
