Tracing an Irish ancestor in Africa is an uphill struggle, but perhaps because of that it is an interesting subject.
Donal McCracken’s presentation takes us through the steps in researching Irish ancestry in South Africa in the years before World War One. As Irish migration to South Africa after World War One was rarely more that 200-300 a year, Donal McCracken shows how the early period is the most productive for the genealogist.
About Donal McCracken
Born and educated in Ireland, Donal McCracken is Professor Emeritus at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Professor McCracken is a historian who specialises in environmental history, media history and the Irish diaspora in Africa.
He is widely published. His most recent works are, Napoleon’s Garden Island: Lost and old gardens of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean, Kew Publications, London, 2022 and, You will dye at midnight: Threatening letters in Victorian Ireland, Eastwood Books, Dublin, 2021. He is currently deep in research for his next work which will be a history of Ireland's gentlemen's clubs.
The talk was presented via Zoom by the Ireland Branch of the Society in January 2025. It is now released for all members to view by kind permission of the author and speaker.
You must be a logged on paid up member to view the recording. The link to it can be found under the Members heading above.
