RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2013
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Many people who are tracing their ancestry hope to find a link to a king or queen somewhere in their lineage. Did any of your forebears come from the Emerald Isle? If so, perhaps you may have a connection to one of the ancient noble pedigrees in Ireland. Whether or not you do, you may enjoy reading William Randolph McCreight’s O’SULLIVAN (Ó SÚILLEBHÁIN), THE EARLIEST IRISH ROYAL FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY. His new third edition of the book is now available.
Both a genealogical and historical account of the O’Sullivans, McCreight’s work is based on research compiled from archaeological, linguistic, and DNA evidence. By combining results from these resources, McCreight believes that the O’Sullivans may be the oldest documented royal family on record, stretching back to 170 AD.
The author begins with the first person called Sullivan and sets the stage for his genealogical study with data that place the O’Sullivan fortunes and misfortunes in historical context. At the height of their power in Ireland, the O’Sullivans controlled hundreds of thousands of acres and occupied thirty-two castles, primarily in the counties of Kerry and Cork. Like many others who resisted the English invasions of Ireland, numerous family members moved to France, Spain, and America. McCreight follows six of these lines as they spread out abroad. For example, the family of Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare, who is known for his epic march to Leitrim Castle in 1603, went to Spain. A Gallic descendant was Patrice MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, who became the second president of the Third French Republic.
Naturally, the author provides information about his American O’Sullivan progenitor, who arrived in Virginia in 1655. One of McCreight’s ancestors fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. His more immediate forebears operated a number of hotels in South Carolina. From his Carolina origins, the author tracks his pedigree back thirty-one generations.
Since the book explores the historical background of the family from the immigration of the Gaelic Celts to what became Ireland to their expatriation in other countries, it supplies general information that will be of interest to persons fascinated with the early chronicles of the Emerald Isle. As a result, individuals do not necessarily need to be tracing their ancestors in order to enjoy the story of O’SULLIVAN (Ó SÚILLEBHÁIN), THE EARLIEST IRISH ROYAL FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY.
The attractive colorful illustrations on the soft covers of the 179-page work are an indication of the many intriguing photographs, drawings, and maps scattered throughout the narrative. Also scattered throughout the text are reproductions of paintings, documents, and signatures. Divided into two parts (historical and genealogical), the publication contains a preface, eight and a half pages of endnote sources, and a full name index.
To the book's price of $29.95, buyers should add the cost for postage and handling charges. For U. S. postal mail, the cost is $5.50 for one book and $2.50 for each additional copy; for FedEx ground service, the cost is $7.50 for one copy and $2.50 for each additional book. The volume (item order #8355) may be purchased by check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa from Clearfield Company, 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 260, Baltimore, Maryland 21211-1953. For phone orders, call toll free 1-800-296-6687; fax 1-410-752-8492; website at www.genealogical.com.