Happy St. Patrick's Day

Might as well start off with Shamrocks.

Shamrocks

One of the findings of my Genealogy search is that I'm part Irish although I've know this for most of my life. It was always my understanding that my Great-Grandmother (McGovern) was the Irish connection. But after researching the family I found that McGovern, although it is an Irish name, is not the family name. My Great-Grandfather, Frank P McGovern was born in Ohio. My Great-Grandmothers maiden name was Duffin and her father, Michael Duffin (mother was Sarah McNeill) was from Glenarm, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. My Great-Grandmother was born in Garron Point, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Looks a lot like this:

Garron Point

There are also several family crests.This is one of many.  

Duffin

On the third Saturday of March the town of Murphy's California celebrates our Irish Heritage. I planned to go today, it's just down the highway a bit, but with the storms we've had last week the town is probably butt deep in snow. Guess I'll wait until next year. 

Ironically, the Kautz family winery is also in Murphy's. You've probably not heard of the Kautz winery unless you've followed this blog for some time, but you might have heard of Ironstone Winery. Even though this Kautz family is not related (at least I've not found a connection, yet) I urge you to support them. Buy Ironstone wine, be happy. 

OK, enough selling wine. 

Going back to genealogy, that one connection (my Great-Grandmother) added 46 people to my family tree. Two of which I found out were witnesses when I was baptized so many years ago. 

So, eat Corned Beef and cabbage, drink some green beer, and celebrate with those of us of Irish Heritage. 

Just in case you missed this:

The Chicago River

One last memory is that my Great-Grandmother believed in the "little People". Leprechaun's. 

Want to see Leprechaun's? The Sci-Fi Channel all day Leprechaun movies. 

Erin go Bragh....................