So, in 2014 I went on an expedition, armed only with a visual image of my paternal grandmother’s birth certificate, her name, and the name of the town she was born in. I spent 10 blissful, amazing, adventurous days in Ireland alone. Trip of a lifetime!!
After sightseeing highlights such as the Titanic Museum in Belfast, Carrick-a-rede Rope bridge in Antrim, Giant’s Causeway, and Glenveah Castle, I headed south into the Republic of Ireland, looking for my long lost cousins I’d never met.
Guess what?? I found them!!
Guess how long it took me? 1 day! True story. It is a small town and I knew I stuck out like a sore thumb. It was easy to rattle off my grandmother’s maiden name and meet at least a dozen others with the same surname. After impromptu visits to several other families I met a man who knows everyone and sure enough he sent me to the right person. I wasn’t sure, and this wonderful couple welcomed me as if they had known me all my life – which it turns out, they had – I just didn’t know them. That trip, when I was 2? Yup, they had seen me then. They even recollected stories of my grandmother I’d never heard. She was their great aunt; I had no idea. By 7 pm, we were settling down to stories over a lovely cuppa tea, and catching up as if we had known each other forever.
So, it is possible and more than possible even, to have the trip/adventure of a lifetime and find your family. It’s the puzzle I love to solve. You know you’ve always wanted to see Ireland and see where your people are from. Come along with me and let me help you find them. We’ll have an amazing adventure on the way!