Irish Tree, LLC has launched a new family history research portal specifically designed to help individuals trace their Irish ancestry, offering services that begin at $299 with free initial consultations. The service addresses significant challenges in Irish genealogy research, where millions of birth, death, and marriage records are missing or damaged, creating obstacles for those seeking to document their family history.
Led by experienced genealogist Maureen Fitzpatrick, whose research experience dates to the early 1990s, Irish Tree emphasizes formal validation of client assumptions alongside original, documented research. The company offers three service tiers: a Basic package for those with existing family trees seeking record validation, a Starter package for building initial family frameworks, and Custom packages for overcoming specific research obstacles. All packages include up to five hours of research for the $299 base price, with custom scopes determined through free consultations available at http://irishtree.org.
This service matters because it makes professional genealogy research accessible to more people while addressing specific historical gaps in Irish records. For individuals with Irish heritage, the inability to locate vital records can create permanent gaps in family narratives and cultural identity. Irish Tree's approach combines traditional research methods with modern accessibility, potentially helping thousands reconnect with ancestral histories that might otherwise remain lost.
Client testimonials illustrate the service's impact. One Milwaukee client reported that Irish Tree completed her family tree before her mother's dementia progressed, delivering photos and historical news articles that led to meaningful family discussions and a memorable road trip. Another client credited the service with solving a decades-old mystery about her family's Irish birthplace through an alternative obituary discovery, enabling her to visit her ancestors' homeland. These examples demonstrate how professional genealogy services can provide emotional closure, cultural connection, and intergenerational understanding.
Fitzpatrick's methodology is rooted in decades of hands-on research experience, beginning before internet accessibility when she frequented the Latter Day Saints library in Salt Lake City and public libraries nationwide to examine microfilm records. Her early use of CompuServe's "Roots Forum" in the 1990s connected her with a Northern Ireland genealogist, leading to numerous research trips to Ireland. This background informs Irish Tree's commitment to verifiable documentation, ethical practices, and client confidentiality.
The launch of Irish Tree represents a significant development in making specialized genealogy services financially accessible. While numerous online platforms offer automated family tree building, Irish Tree provides personalized research addressing the particular documentation challenges of Irish ancestry. For an industry often associated with high costs and lengthy timelines, the $299 entry point could expand who can access professional genealogical assistance. As more people seek connections to cultural heritage, services like Irish Tree that combine affordability with specialized expertise fill an important niche in preserving family histories that might otherwise fade from memory.
