The Great Hunger, a Genealogist’s Retrospective

The year 2022, marks the 175th anniversary of one of the worst years (1847) of the Great Hunger in Ireland. “Black ‘47” culminated in the highest number of Irish migrants as they moved within Ireland to find relief. Those who received assistance or who could afford it emigrated abroad, as hunger and disease spread. In their flight from famine, many refugees arrived in Canadian towns, cities and the surrounding countryside, swelling the number of Irish to unprecedented numbers.

Part 1. The Great Hunger: A brief overview of the famine (what caused it, the circumstances that exacerbated the famine in Ireland, which parts of Ireland were the most affected)

Part 2. The Response: The domestic and international response to the famine (poor houses, parish, county and international relief, taxation, and the landowners’ dilemma)

Part 3. The Repercussions: The effect on the Irish population (mortality, emigration - assisted, voluntary and forced, migration within Ireland and the resulting social and economic upheaval nationally and internationally).

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Melanie McLennan

Melanie has been working as a genealogical researcher part-time for eleven years with her company Ancestral Tapestry. Specializing in Irish, United Kingdom and Canadian records, she has assisted many clients with her knowledge, methodology and analysis skills, her research library and her enthusiasm for family history research. Her fascination with genealogy grew out of tracing her own roots in Counties Armagh and Cork, as well as England and Quebec.

She is currently studying with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College) where she has completed her intermediate levels with distinction. At the conclusion of this program of study, she will have earned certification in both Canadian and Irish records (PLCGS - Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies).

Member, Association of Professional Genealogists and APG Ontario Chapter

Member, Ontario Ancestors (formerly Ontario Genealogical Society)

Life Member, Ulster Historical Foundation

Life Member, Presbyterian Historical Society Ireland

Chief’s Commissioner for Canada, Clan MacLennan

Ancestral Tapestry, Genealogical Research:  melanie@ancestraltapestry.ca