Meet our newest student blogger, Debbie Dale! We sat down with Debbie and did a little Q & A to learn more about her.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I currently live in a small town called Hermiston in Eastern Oregon.  The town is very close to the desert but I’m happy to say I’ve made my difficult peace with the sagebrush.  I’m originally from Washington State, where I’d always been able to view tall green trees and water from the Puget Sound.  

I moved to Hermiston to help care for my 98-year-old grandmother who lives with severe dementia.  It’s hard work but also rewarding.  I do have time to pursue genealogical interests, however, because I’m not the only caregiver.

Tell us about your educational journey thus far.

I’ve been a student at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies for several years, working towards two certificates in American Records and Irish Records. I have a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington and spent ten years in that field before moving to Hermiston. 

What genealogy topics are you most interested in?

Almost anything related to Ireland.  My current research is in County Waterford with a branch of my mother’s family, although the women in my direct maternal line came from the island of Inis Meain, in the Aran Islands off the coast of Galway Bay.  

I would like to specialize in Irish immigration to the United States, but I’m interested in other areas, too, such as Irish domestic servants in the U. S.

I enjoy writing and am currently working on a narrative history of my great grandmother, the daughter of Irish immigrants who lived in Boston.  One of my favorite things to do is scroll through old newspapers, and I have spent many hours doing just that. 

Thanks Debbie!

Look forward to more from Debbie in her first blog post about our course Irish: Land Administration Records.