Ryan Tubridy recently visited Galway County Council Archives and the Local History section of Galway County Libraries at Island House, in a search to undercover some of his family’s history. Ryan was working with Mint Productions on the television programme Who Do You Think You Are? This is a six-part documentary series which explores the big picture of Irish history in the most simple & intimate manner: more than 200 years of Irish experience are seen through one person and their family tree. In each episode, a popular Irish personality traces their roots, and the journey through generations of ordinary lives reveals extraordinary stories.
Ryan discovered during his visit to the Archives that his grandfather, Dr Sean Tubridy (1896-1939), whom he never met, was a dispensary doctor in Lettermore. Through prior research carried out by the Archivist, Patria McWalter, in the minutes of the Board of Health & Public Assistance, Hospital & Dispensary Committee (GC6/) preserved in the Archives numerous references to Dr Tubridy, particularly between 1922 and 1924, were found. Ryan further learned from the 1901 census, available on microfilm, that his great-grandfather, Patrick, a school teacher, was from Co. Clare. This was the first time Ryan had firm confirmation of the family’s Clare origins.
To learn more about the Tubridy family history we’ll all have to tune into the programme which will be broadcast on RTÉ 1, in the Autumn.
In the meantime, if you wish to learn about your own family’s history why not explore the wealth of information and sources available at the Local History section of Galway Library or in the Archives.
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