Find your irish ☘️family

Several million people all over the world can trace their ancestry to the West of Ireland—and millions more wish they could!

Whether Irish blood runs in your veins or not, my mission is to open you to one the most exceptional places in the world — where the vast Atlantic ocean washes along the wild west of Ireland.

Through honouring the profound story of the generations who called this place home and understanding the cultural identity of the diverse communities who live here now, I work with passionate volunteers and advocates to provide you with an authentic connection to our unique home (see some of the heritage projects I have managed below).

Drop me a line at historyandheffron@gmail.com for any questions on how I may be able to help you on your journey of Irish exploration!

 
 

SCHOOL COLLECTION

Ancestry has just published the largest Irish collection of National School Records—from primary schools in Mayo and Sligo.

  • National School Records Collection comes from a collaboration between Ancestry.com and Dr. Liam Alex Heffron. The original school records are held in the respective schools across Mayo and Sligo, private or public collections. When combined with Ancestry's existing collection of school registers sourced from The National Archives of Ireland, Ancestry is able to offer the largest online collection of historical Irish School Registers.

  • These unique records include roll books, registers, exam results and supplementary rolls dated from 1857 to 1928 from primary schools in counties Mayo and Sligo—the main focus being on North Mayo and West Sligo.

  • As part of the National School Records Collection project in partnership with Ancestry, participating schools are offered complimentary access to Ancestry Institution, giving free access to over 60 billion historical records worldwide — including the registers and roll books from your own school. This free access is our way of thanking schools for their help in preserving and sharing the history of Irish education.

    Apply for Free Membership to the NSRC

ACCESS THE COLLECTION (ANCESTRY MEMBERS)

PARISH RECORDS

St Cormac’s Society is publishing a unique archive of collections of local history publications, family records, online catalogues and finding aids, from the counties of Mayo, Sligo and Galway.

  • As Chairperson and founder of St Cormac’s Society, I have overseen the heritage charity’s work in the preservation and promotion of the heritage of the various parishes in counties Mayo and Sligo. We are proud to now host an online digital archive of local history which showcase the various projects our members have been involved in.

  • Church of Ireland Parish Registers (North Mayo,) 1757-1872

    Mapping The Mayo And Sligo Loyalist Compensation Claims, 1921-1923

    Digital Survey of Moygownagh Old Graveyard (Co. Mayo)

    Military Service Pension Collection – applications from members of Moygownagh Company IRA, Co, Mayo

    First modern parish-based heritage map of North Mayo and West Sligo

    “Echoes of Our Past’ Heritage Library of Media Recordings

FREE ACCESS TO OUR ARCHIVE

GENEALOGY & HERITAGE CONSULTANCY

Whether you’re beginning your family tree, seeking a lost connection, or gathering documents for Irish citizenship, my research combines deep historical expertise, specialist partners and exclusive access to the largest collection of Irish school and parish records.

  • Dr. Liam Alex Heffron, M.A., Ph.D

    As a professional historian, writer, and genealogist from County Mayo in the heart of the West of Ireland, my career has been devoted to recovering hidden histories and making them meaningful to families today.

    • 📜 Academic Authority: Ph.D. in Irish history (University of Galway), specialising in community life in the centuries leading up to and during the Irish War of Independence & Civil War.

    • 🤝 Affiliations & Recognition: Member of the Irish Association of Professional Historians; Heritage Partner with Ancestry.com, founder and chairperson of St Cormac’s (Heritage) Society; former Mayo GAA History Officer.

    • 🌍 International Expert: Invited expert speaker at the European Parliament on cultural and population loss in rural Europe;

    • 🎥 Genealogy Media Consultant: Contributed to BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? and RTÉ’s The Battle for Rural Ireland and Claire Byrne Live; Irish radio programmes.

    • 📚 Writer & Storyteller: Weekly columnist for the Western People newspaper, Hollywood and Heffron Substack and author of No Revolution: Igniting War in North Mayo, 1917–1923 and ‘Moygownagh ‘C’ Co. IRA’ in Spirit of Revolution; Ireland from Below, 1917-1923.

    Most recently, in collaboration with Ancestry.com and in partnership with schools throughout Mayo and Sligo, we curated and digitised over one million primary school records, now forming the largest online archive of its kind in Ireland.

  • 🔎 Contextualised Archival Research

    • Tailored searches across Irish, British, Canadian and U.S. archives.

    • Academic background understanding of historical records.

    • Meaningful family heritage reports with context and narrative.

    👨‍👩‍👧 Genealogy Consultations

    • One-to-one Zoom consultations to review your family history.

    • Guidance on interpreting records, spelling variations, and local context, especially in the Irish context.

    • Advice on tracing lines further back or connecting with living relatives.

    🛂 Irish Citizenship Support

    • Approved partner with Irish and American Immigration lawyers.

    • Identifying records needed to prove Irish descent.

    • Document packages prepared for Irish citizenship and passport applications.

    • Guidance on supplementing gaps with historical evidence.

  • My work is about more than names and dates. It is about restoring connection — between you and your ancestors, between the Irish diaspora and the communities they left behind.

    Together, we will not only uncover where your family came from, but also bring their world to life: the schools they attended, the farms they worked, the parishes they prayed in, and the villages they called home.

    Begin Your Search

    Step 1. Email me your genealogy or heritage enquiry.

    Step 2. I’ll review the details and will see how I can assist you, which may involve a clarifying conversation.

    Step 3. I will provide you with a quote based on available records. If you are happy to proceed let’s go!

    Step 3. We begin the search — and bring your Irish story back into the light.