Kiss Me, I'm Welsh, Irish... Or something else?

Kiss Me, I'm Welsh, Irish... Or something else?

by Liv | Published on February 15th, 2008, 1:14 pm | Life

I'm super-stressed right now.... I've got so much on my plate, I can't even fathom vacation right now. This last week, I thought, by applying for the passport; much of the stress would be lifted off my shoulder. In turn, now I'm stressing about the passport being approved, or showing up in a normal time. Should I have gotten the express delivery, etc.... I'm about to rip my hair out. 4-6 weeks, I must have been out of my mind!

Oddly enough, out of this whole process of digging through birth certificates and other documentation it's come to light some odd genealogy research. It appears, via either my great-grandfather, or my great-great grandfather is where I get my European descent. I'm not really all that certain what it is... From basically what I've gathered via family, and memory, my father's side of the family is from Wales.

Okay. Who isn't right?

But no one knows for sure. My grandfather died when my father was 12 making his birth date likely in the late 1800's. We know that in 1860 my Great-Great Grandfather was just a child, and that he was on the U.S. Census with my Great, Great, Great Grandfather.

On the 1860 census his wife is called Hannah and he is listed with our ancestor, Phineas, who is just a baby.

If you're pondering why I'm contemplating the birth-place of dead relatives it all comes down to this. While I highly doubt we'd be lucky enough to do so, if That child was born in Ireland, not Wales, (apparently quite common) and I could prove it, then my father who by blood could claim citizenship could become a Irish citizen. Or at least that's the way I understand it. The whole process only goes back 2 generations, and this guy... my father's grand-father is could be proven of Irish descent would entitle him, then myself, then my children to gain Irish Citizenship and a European passport.

The problem is... according to dad, Grandpa never even had a birth certificate.... So the tracks go cold so to speak, although I'm kind of new to the whole genealogy research thing.

Several people online have done it, but obviously they have relatives who've kept much better records then mine. I think it's great that a country welcomes back it's people. Too bad more countries don't. I find it funny that someday, perhaps the grandchildren of Mexican immigrant's might "want" to migrate back to Mexico, but can't. I just find the whole thing fascinating, that we do all we can to separate ourselves, and then someone like myself ends up interested in going back to the country their ancestors left 200 years ago.

I'm sure, Great Grandpa is rolling over in his grave..

[A Person]

But no one knows for sure. My grandfather died when my father was 12 making his birth date likely in the late 1800's. We know that in 1860 my Great-Great Grandfather was just a child, and that he was on the U.S. Census with my Great, Great, Great Grandfather.

If you're pondering why I'm contemplating the birth-place of dead relatives it all comes down to this. While I highly doubt we'd be lucky enough to do so, if That child was born in Ireland, not Wales, (apparently quite common) and I could prove it, then my father who by blood could claim citizenship could become a Irish citizen. Or at least that's the way I understand it. The whole process only goes back 2 generations, and this guy... my father's grand-father is could be proven of Irish descent would entitle him, then myself, then my children to gain Irish Citizenship and a European passport.

No. Sorry.

You can claim Irish citizenship if one of your parents was an Irish citizen. If you were born in Ireland, with one Irish parent then you would be Irish. If you were born outside Ireland and had one Irish parent, the parent would have to register you in the Foreign Births Register. Your GGGrandfather didn't register your GGrandfather so he isn't/wasn't an Irish citizen. The trail stops there.

It's not that difficult to immigrate to Ireland. Until a few years ago it was a net exporter of citizens and there are shortages in many areas. "Computer Systems Managers, Computer Analysts, Computer Programmers, Computer Testers" are on their lists of eligible occupations.

But you will likely find the Catholic derived laws difficult to live under. While things are becoming more liberal (anti-homosexuality laws were rescinded after protests to the European Court of Human Rights and transgender equality is recognised) Ireland is not very tolerant of anything un-Catholic.

[BecauseHeLives]

But no one knows for sure. My grandfather died when my father was 12 making his birth date likely in the late 1800's. We know that in 1860 my Great-Great Grandfather was just a child, and that he was on the U.S. Census with my Great, Great, Great Grandfather.

If you're pondering why I'm contemplating the birth-place of dead relatives it all comes down to this. While I highly doubt we'd be lucky enough to do so, if That child was born in Ireland, not Wales, (apparently quite common) and I could prove it, then my father who by blood could claim citizenship could become a Irish citizen. Or at least that's the way I understand it. The whole process only goes back 2 generations, and this guy... my father's grand-father is could be proven of Irish descent would entitle him, then myself, then my children to gain Irish Citizenship and a European passport.

No. Sorry.

You can claim Irish citizenship if one of your parents was an Irish citizen. If you were born in Ireland, with one Irish parent then you would be Irish. If you were born outside Ireland and had one Irish parent, the parent would have to register you in the Foreign Births Register. Your GGGrandfather didn't register your GGrandfather so he isn't/wasn't an Irish citizen. The trail stops there.

It's not that difficult to immigrate to Ireland. Until a few years ago it was a net exporter of citizens and there are shortages in many areas. "Computer Systems Managers, Computer Analysts, Computer Programmers, Computer Testers" are on their lists of eligible occupations.

But you will likely find the Catholic derived laws difficult to live under. While things are becoming more liberal (anti-homosexuality laws were rescinded after protests to the European Court of Human Rights and transgender equality is recognised) Ireland is not very tolerant of anything un-Catholic.

Sounds like they need a few good missionaries in that place. Looks like I could qualify.

[A Person]

Missionary positions are not very rewarding.

[Liv]

You're right... I guess, the previous generations would have had to claim it prior to birth....

Oh well...

[Serendipitous]

Missionary positions are not very rewarding.

Are you suggesting checking out Rick Steves' Europe Through the Backdoor?

... ...

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

You know, all through my childhood, I was told that because my Dad was English, that I could claim British citizenship if I so chose. Only on my later years did I learn the awful negation of that. Because Dad had become a naturalized American citizen before I was born, I have no claim to British citizenship. My sister, who was born while our Dad was still in the Royal Navy, was eligible and took advantage of the rule to claim her birthright a few years back. She said that if I ever want to change my nationality, she will be happy to sponsor me.

Bummer...

[A Person]

The rules are different depending on whether you are a citizen by birth or by descent

My sister, who was born while our Dad was still in the Royal Navy, was eligible and took advantage of the rule to claim her birthright a few years back

Because your father was a citizen on 'Crown Service" your sister is entitled to British citizenship as if she were born in the UK - her children would be able to claim citizenship by descent if her husband was also British by birth.

You would be able to claim citizenship by descent only if BOTH your parents are citizens by birth. Dual nationality is irrelevant - unless your father became a naturalised US citizen before 1948 when the rules changed.

But anyone can always emigrate to another country. It's not that difficult, you just have to want to enough to make it happen.

[Liv]

But anyone can always emigrate to another country. It's not that difficult, you just have to want to enough to make it happen.

Now here's a can of worms...

Okay... So lets I go on vacation to England, and love the place.... Say I decide I want to live there and work there... What's A.P.'s super simplified plan for Liv to get in over there?

.... I have absolutely no skills besides complaining.... only 1.5 years of community college... (well and 2 weeks at Western Carolina... but that's a whole 'another story), and very little funds....

I can't buy my way in.....

I'm to dumb to get in on the "I'm a doctor and scientist, list."

Most of the education opportunities, and other visas have passed since I'm now 31 and too old to be a benefit to any country....

About the only way I see to legally em migrate is to obtain a job first... and when you're just "average" like 90% of America... then why would someone there hire someone from here... .especially when they're required to hire people there first...

Anyways, I await thy wisdom on this... because honestly... this was my argument a while back when Matt was talking about illegal immigration (Mexicans) and I thought... Hell... If I can't get the hell out of America, how can people possibly say to themselves that (poorer, perhaps less educated) Mexicans need to go about migrating in a "legal fashion"....

[A Person]

OK I lied when I said 'anyone'. It's not that easy to immigrate to the UK unless you can get an MBA then you're in, for some reason they think that's better than a PhD

Like most countries they have a point system. 75 points and you're in. MBA 75 points, PhD 50, Masters 35, Bachelors 30; Earnings: $32k - 5, $80k - 35

Otherwise, you're stuck with being a domestic or nanny, unless you can get a cmpany to sponsor you or accumulate enough cash to start a business.. You can of course retire there provided you have an income of $50Kpa

[Liv]

See... thats my point when I hear people say "Why don't them there mexican's, get in line and wait... and do it legally..."

Other then our lovely Lotto system, If I can't emmigrate, how are we to expect them to immigrate legally??

I've looked at the possibilities, and without going back to school and trying to move when I'm 50.... the only possibility appears to be securing a job...

Which might be tangiable.....

But excessively difficult.

I guess the bigger question here... is why is immigration so tight with the U.S.? Would thousands of Americans suddenly go work there if the legally could?

I understand controlling immigration, but why do major economic powers control immigration.... especially in this case where both countries (ok England..) speak the same language, have generally are on the same economic level, and both share similar beliefs in other aspects of politics?

What purpose does it serve, other then to seperate blood lines?

[Serendipitous]

I saw this pic this morning and thought of this thread: