Irish Tree, LLC has launched a family history research portal specializing in Irish ancestry, offering services starting at $299 with free consultations. The service aims to help individuals overcome the significant challenges of tracing Irish family lines, where millions of birth, death, and marriage records are missing or damaged.
Led by experienced genealogist Maureen Fitzpatrick, Irish Tree provides three service tiers: Basic for validating existing family trees, Starter for building initial frameworks, and Custom packages for specific research challenges. All packages include up to five hours of research for $299, with custom projects determined through free consultations. The service is accessible at http://irishtree.org.
Fitzpatrick, whose research experience dates to the early 1990s, emphasizes formal validation of client assumptions and original documented research. "Building a family tree can be a challenging endeavor regardless of nationality. Those with ancestors in Ireland face unique challenges due to millions of missing and damaged birth, death and marriage records," she said.
Client testimonials highlight the service's impact. One Milwaukee public relations executive used Irish Tree to complete her family tree before her mother's dementia progressed, resulting in historical photos and articles that brought significant joy. Another client solved a decades-old mystery about her family's Irish birthplace through an alternative obituary discovered by Irish Tree researchers, enabling a meaningful pilgrimage to Ireland.
Fitzpatrick's methodology developed before internet genealogy resources, involving extensive work at the Latter Day Saints library in Salt Lake City and public libraries nationwide. Her early use of CompuServe's "Roots Forum" in the 1990s connected her with a Northern Ireland genealogist, leading to dozens of research trips to Ireland. "My goal in establishing Irish Tree is to provide verifiable documentation of each client's family history, delivering happiness and satisfaction along the way," she explained.
The service addresses a growing market interest in genealogy while acknowledging the particular difficulties of Irish research. With approximately 70 million people worldwide claiming Irish ancestry, but many records lost to fires, floods, or administrative gaps, professional assistance can bridge historical divides. Irish Tree operates with ethical standards including confidentiality, integrity, and respect for privacy, according to Fitzpatrick.
This launch matters because it makes professional genealogy research accessible at lower price points while specializing in a historically challenging area. For individuals seeking connection to Irish heritage, the service provides not just documentation but emotional fulfillment through discovered family narratives. The business model reflects broader trends in personalized services and cultural heritage preservation, potentially influencing how genealogy services are structured and priced industry-wide.
