Strategies for Irish Genealogy Research
Irish genealogy research can be challenging due to the lack of standard government records, multiple jurisdiction names and family naming conventions. Learn strategies to maximize your Irish research success, including finding facts that make an Irish ancestor unique, locating a place of origin in Ireland, and determining the basic types of Irish records that are available. A case study example will also be used to demonstrate these techniques.
Speaker: Cindy Patricki
Cindy Patricki has been doing family history research for over 27 years. She is a former Genealogist and Department Coordinator for the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix and currently works at Tempe Public Library.
In 2014, Cindy attended the Irish Research Course at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, and last year, she virtually attended the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy’s Genetic Genealogy Course.
Cindy has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from ASU and previously worked as a computer analyst. She is a past Vice-president of the Arizona Council of Professional Genealogists, and past Program Chairperson for the Paradise Valley Chapter of the Family History Society of Arizona. Cindy has given lectures to various genealogy organizations around Arizona and enjoys sharing her love of genealogy with others.
This April 11th meeting will be hybrid meeting so you may attend in person or via Zoom. You will have to register if you will attend the meeting via Zoom.
The virtual doors open at 12:45 pm so everyone can get setup.
The business meeting starts at 1:00 pm and the guest speaker approximately 1:30 pm, after a 5 minute break.
In-person meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church located at 12225 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. (click here for map)
Upcoming Membership Meeting Programs
- 2026-09-14 – Janna Larson – Probate Records
Date: September 14, 2026
Title: Probate Records
Speaker: Janna Larson
Description: Few other sources so clearly state family relationships as probate records, and they can usually be depended upon to be accurate. The lecture will cover the steps in the probate process and provide examples of the many kinds of documents that may be created along the way. Suggestions are given for finding the records in various court offices. Items to note as you study the papers are highlighted and thorough abstracting is emphasized.
Biography: Janna Larson has been an avid genealogist since 1981. She has ancestors who were English, Irish, Scottish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch. Belgian and German. Some came in colonial times; others came in the 1850’s. She has extensive experience with many types of research. She holds a BA degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Before becoming a genealogist, she worked in manufacturing administration. Her father was in the foreign service and she has lived in and visited many foreign countries. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Janna has been a member of the Family History Society of Arizona since 1982. She has held many offices in the Society, including President, Vice President, Chapter President, Treasurer, Seminar Chairman and Membership Chairman. She has taught beginning and advanced genealogy classes at Phoenix College and many locations in the Phoenix area.
In 1991 she indexed, compiled and published the second edition of Will Hall’s “Bennington Genealogy” an 840 page book and published a quarterly newsletter, the Bennington Bulletin. She edited the “Easy Guide to German Genealogy” by Marianne Southworth. She is a co-author of the Family History Society of Arizona’s “Seminar Planning Guide.” In addition, she has had several articles published in the scholarly genealogical journals including The American Genealogist and The New Hampshire Genealogical Record.
Handout: Pending – Check back later.
IN-PERSON MEETINGS are held at the First Presbyterian Church
located at 12225 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. (click here for map) – will open in new tab in your web browser)
Please arrive after 12:30 pm to sign up for classes, SIGs, or the 2027 Seminar, ask questions of a Board Member or Committee Chairperson, etc. Note: We will not be offering coffee at this time.
The short business meeting will start at 1:00 pm sharp followed by our featured speaker.
FROM DUPLICATE BOOKS TEAM
Books will be available for purchase at the meeting.
Jill Mitchell, Elaine Wright, and Della Jones
WVGS Duplicate Book Sales team
Please bring Aluminum Cans & Plastic Bottles to the
Membership MeetingWe appreciate your efforts to collect these items and dropping them off at our Membership Meetings. We especially thank you for collecting from your neighbors and friends. Please be sure to let these helpers know the best way to help us collect and recycle.
Remember, bring them to the church, NOT the Library!Not These Only Clear Plastic 
These are NOT accepted and need to be hand picked out of the collection or the whole bag will be rejected.
Please, only CLEAR plastic bottles.ALUMINUM CANS &
CLEAR
PLASTIC BOTTLES ONLY
Drop-offGuidelines for dropping off Aluminum Cans/Clear Plastic Bottles:
- Place aluminum cans and clear plastic-water/soda bottles in separate bags.
- Cans do not have to be crushed, but should be rinsed and empty.
- Water bottles can take up less room if they are smashed before putting the cap back onto the bottle.
Please, NO glass, prescription bottles, milk bottles, or food cans as these items need to be hand picked out. Also, NO bags with holes, as any item not rinsed may leak.
Aluminum Cans + Clear Plastic Bottles == $$$ for WVGS