This book started out being about a nameless family from Ireland that settled in the Gulf coast of Texas around 1840.
When my mother brought the binder over containing information on my Irish ancestors I had no idea just how obsessive I would become with everything Irish and the life of John May and his wife Mary Riley May.
After six months of wasting my time searching geneology records incorrectly I finally settled down and put my mind in first gear for I was motivated!
I want to share the research because I truly believe for a Historical fiction novel to be believable and compelling you must get the research right.
The Irish culture faccinated this spoiled, pop culture brain soaked slug to the point that I felt I had to share it with any one that cared to read.
The first thing that captured my heart and mind so strongly was the passenger ships.
The voyage to America could last 63 horrific days or more.
I cannot imagine being on a ship for 63 minutes much less 63 days.
Many immigrants died during the travel to the land of hope.
Children were born on these " Death Ships" as they were so eloquently called.
So many people looking for a better life and risking their lives to make it happen.
As I searched through the many passenger lists from the 1800s a few
interesting facts stood out to me.
A young single girl from 12 years old or older would be called a spinster.
Many of the records will show the husband and not even name the wife by her given name, instead she is listed as wife.
A man without enough money or goods on board was written in as a laborer.
I once read in a book somewhere can't remember who said it but its so true.
" You cannot know who you are until you uncover where you came from"
Here are a few links that I found quite helpful in my search.
http://www.cyndislist.com/ships.htm Cyndies list.com
ttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ote/ships/ The Olive Tree Geneology
http://www.slpl.org/slpl/gateways/article240117840.asp St. Louis Public Library
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