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The Origins of the Scots-Irish & How to Find Those Families

The Origins of the Scots-Irish

The historical roots of what it means to be Scots Irish go back to the 17th century. During that epoch, substantial numbers of Scottish (as well as English) families removed to the northern part of Ireland during the so-called Plantation of Ulster. Between 1717 and 1776, 250,000 Scots-Irish immigrants (also known as Scotch-Irish or Ulster Scots) arrived in the British Colonies of North America. During the colonial and Early National periods of U.S. history, the Protestant Scots-Irish were known for settling deep into the Appalachian regions of the South and the Midwest, despite the risks, thereby extending the boundaries of settlement for the New Nation. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 3.2 million Americans today identify as Scots-Irish and the actual number of persons with that heritage may be as high as 20 million.

Genealogy at a Glance: Scots-Irish Genealogy Research

If you happen to be one of the descendants of the colonial Scots-Irish, genealogist Brian Mitchell has the perfect introduction to the subject for you. Genealogy at a Glance: Scots-Irish Genealogy Research.

This installment in our popular series of laminated research aids divides the subject into manageable pieces. Mr. Mitchell fleshes out the historical background of the 17th-century Ulster planters and 18th-century emigrants in greater detail. The bulk of the publication then concerns itself with passenger lists, places of origin in Ireland, family names, source records (church registers, census substitutes, and estate records), and record repositories. Interspersed throughout, the researcher will find references for further research, case studies, and key websites for Scots-Irish genealogy.

Scots-Irish Genealogy Research is the second title by Brian Mitchell in this series. Previously, he authored “Genealogy at a Glance: Irish Genealogy Research.” Mr. Mitchell is also the celebrated author of A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland, one of the most widely used tools in all of Irish family history.

Other Research aids for the British Isles