Book about Irish praised

Historians and genealogists are praising the new perspective of “The Uncounted Irish,” published by P.D. Meany, Toronto publishers. Written by Margaret E. Fitzgerald and Joseph A. King, the book breaks new ground on the topic of Irish immigration.

The authors, who are siblings, challenge much about the Irish that has appeared in textbooks. They point out, for example, that the Irish settled in rural America and Canada in much greater numbers and earlier than past historians have reported.

Readers may be surprised by the extent of Irish settlement in the original Thirteen Colonies, and in such states as Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas and California. Also documented is a little-known Irish American invasion of Canada in the 1860s from U.S. soil.

Especially interesting is the story of how a large contingent of Irish, especially from County Cork, successfully adjusted to a wilderness life in New Brunswick in the first half of the 19th century, and how they learned the lumbering skills which they took with them into Maine, Michigan and finally into the Pacific Northwest.

In addition, there are chapters on the history of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and on the part played by Irish women in the labor movement of the 1800s.

“The Uncounted Irish,” which contains an extensive surname index, is available by mail from P.D. Meany Publishers, Box 534, Port Credit, Ontario, Canada L5G 4M2, and from Irish Books and Media, 1433 Franklin Ave. East, Minneapolis, Minn. 55404-2135. The cost is $36 plus shipping.