Céad Míle Fáilte    A Hundred Thousand Welcomes to you
 Waterford Origins
 ....always happy to help the Wandering Waterfordians find their way home! 

Hello there and welcome to Waterford Origins.

Tony Hennessy is a member of Accredited Genealogists of Ireland and  the founder of Waterford Origins which is a full service genealogical research and consultancy facility.  Tony offers various packages for  those of you starting out or needing help in the search for your Irish ancestors.
Waterford Origins specializes in the following - 
  • Creating bespoke Family Trees 
  • Genealogical research - all Ireland
  • Genealogy courses - University College Cork, University College Limerick.
  • Genealogy talks - National & International
  • One-to-one consultations

Tony prides himself on offering a personal service.  He values feedback from his customers and is always inspired by the tales and photographs that make up these wonderful trees.

Tony lives with his wife Caroline and three children overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Waterford’s Copper Coast.


Co. Waterford is situated on the south east coast of Ireland.  Waterford City,  the oldest City in Ireland, was founded by the Vikings 1100 years ago. Recent archaeological discoveries have shown that County Waterford has been inhabited for at least 9000 years!  I cannot guarantee that we can trace your ancestors back that far...but I do expect to make some new discoveries as we explore your roots. 

"I have discovered that people come to family history for many different reasons. For many among the Irish diaspora their Irishness and their connection to Ireland is deeply felt and an intrinsic part of their cultural identity. Documenting the link with the 'Old Country' underscores and validates that identity".

Tony Hennessy,MAGI, Founder of Waterford Origins

SPECIAL COMMISSIONS

A very special commission to work with 

Jane O Meara Sanders, a lifelong genealogy enthusiast, on the research, design and presentation of her family tree.  Jane and Bernie Sanders were guests of the Dalkey Book Festival 2017.  Jane's strong Irish roots placed her back in her family homestead in Co Cork.  Research was also undertaken by John Grenham M.A.G.I.

This photo shows Jane's husband, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, receiving an old postcard hunted down by Tony of the ship on which his father sailed as a Polish immigrant to America in 1921. 

A meeting of hearts and minds.

 

Another very special commission -  for Boston's Mayor, Marty J.Walsh  "Man of the People" checks out his own Irish roots before his homecoming to Connemara.  


Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh being presented with his Great Great Great Family Tree at the Boston ifest by Rachel Kelly.

September 2014      The Boston Globe

Mayor of Chicago Richard M.Daley receiving a present of his Family Tree from Cllr Mary Roche, Mayor of Waterford.  Chicago 2010

UPDATES AND NEWS

 In 2017 Tony was invited to become the Resident Genealogist at the Medieval Museum in Waterford City’s Viking Triangle where one is welcome to book a one-on-one consultation.

Tony teaches genealogy.  He is a Part-time Evening Lecturer on the NUI Diploma in Genealogy at University College Cork and also at the University of Limerick Certificate in History of Family & Genealogical Methods.  He also has run, since 2010, a successful evening course in genealogy in Waterford City.  He himself studied the subject in University College Dublin (1994-95) under the tutelage of Seán Murphy MA.

Traveller Family Tree 
completed on the day that the Irish State formally recognised Travellers as an ethnic group within the Irish Nation. 1st March 2017.

This is what a bespoke Family Tree might look like....

A sample of a bespoke family tree... a family heirloom..a unique creation.  Each tree tells its very own story.   

Waterford Origins also produce Great Great Great Family Trees.  We specialise in creating a wide  range of bespoke family trees to order.  

We understand that every family is unique and our family trees reflect this uniqueness. 

Every Family Tree that we create is tailor-made to suit each customer’s specific requirements.

 As you can see from his examples - Tony takes time and effort to combine old photographs, maps,  placenames, the people, their personalities, their stories into a highly personalised and creative family tree.

You provide the genealogical information and we create the Tree.  

Alternatively we can be commissioned to do the research for you.

Use the 'GreatGreatGreat' tab to explore the many types of Family Trees on offer. 


IMPORTANT NOTE - ALL FAMILY NAMES AND DETAILS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED ON FEATURED FAMILY TREES TO PROTECT CLIENTS' PRIVACY.


Tony's Local Evening Classes - back by popular demand... watch this space for e-courses in 2018 - reaching out to the world.

EVENTS - Field trips and talks - Power Clan Gathering 2016

Tony Hennessy sharing stories with the Power delegates at Dunhill Castle.

August 2016

Tony and Julian Walton chatting about all things 'Power'  with a delegate at Curraghmore, Portlaw.
August 2016

Images of old Waterford.