Fitzmaurice/Fitzmorris DNA Project- Background

Background

In studying my Fitzmaurice family history, I was intrigued when I learned of the Fitzmaurice Lords of Kerry. Their ancestry can be traced all the way back to the Norman Conquests. What a wonderful tribute to my Grandfather, I thought, to be able to study and establish a link back to one of these people. I was dissapointed when I learned of the lack of Irish records available for study before the 1800's. I have another branch of my family that was French Canadian, and have used the Quebec Catholic Parish Records to trace ancestors back to the 1600's and to the original locations in France.

However, these same parish records do not exist in Ireland before 1800's and many parishes don't even have records back to the early 1800's. Being a part of Great Britain, the Catholic church was banned up until the late 1700's. Land ownership as well, was not as common in Ireland at that time as it was in the early English Colonies, so those types or record sources are not as useful in this case.

It was suggested to my by some fellow researchers at my local Family History Center that DNA research might be a good alternative, and this was how the project got its start. Although it is difficult to establish definite links, our DNA samples could potentially be compared to that of known Lords of Kerry descendants to prove a relationship in that manner.

Here is a link to a good website about the ancient Fitzmaurice Lords of Kerry. Click the table of contents link at the bottom of the first page.

http://www.fitzmaurice.info/home.html