The O'Dochartaigh Research Center is back in Michigan

Nov. 6, 2009 - PRLog -- O’Dochartaigh Clann back in Michigan!!


Hello Michigan O’Dochartaighs (Doherty, Dougherty, Daugherty),

Among the moors, glens and mountains of Ireland the ancient line of the O’Dochartaigh clan began.  Henceforth, the clan sprouted, stretched and prospered first within its homeland, and then beyond in Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.  Not everyone of Irish descent belongs to a clan.  We are very fortunate to do so.  A clan has roots far back in time and branches that spread beyond every barrier of country, class or creed.

Wherever you are from and whatever variation your O’Dochartaigh name may have taken, you have a legitimate blood right that marks you as an offspring of Dochartaigh, of the ‘Race of Connail’, son of Nial, who was the greatest High King of Ireland.  Our ancient story is your story and the heritage is yours.  Let him who may deny this claim, furnish worthy proof against the age-old traditions and records of the Gael, as well as the ongoing research of the O’Dochartaigh Family Research Center.

Nearly 30 years ago a small group of dedicated volunteers, led by Patrick Dougherty, had a vision of a worldwide O’Dochartaigh organization.  That vision, with a lot of hard work, helped them to do just that, and eventually establish a family research center in Ireland, plus orchestrate the largest family reunions that Ireland has ever seen.  Thousands of clan members have benefited from this organization.  It’s time that you visited or contacted the center, too.

Which you can easily do!  The O’Dochartaigh Family Research Center has moved back to Michigan, where it began over 30 years ago.  It has been in Ireland since 1984 and is now located southeast of Grand Rapids.  Its doors are now open and “Irish do need to apply”, that is, O’Dochartaighs of every spelling are welcome.

“Our center promotes, funds and participates in the research of our family’s history, tradition and lore.  Searching for the roots of our great clan is a top priority,” states Patrick Dougherty, founder and research director.  “Our family members are spread over the entire world and are seeking their family connection within this great clan.  Our research center empowers clan members to combine efforts, money and genealogy discoveries that makes the work much more enjoyable, fruitful and rewarding.  Genealogy is no longer a lonely job that takes a lifetime of searching.”  Patrick continues, “What’s more, the genealogy and family history that we have assembled is a monumental gift to future generations.”

“We want our research center to be a hub for collecting genealogical data, personal information and family stories derived from the centuries of O’Dochartaigh ancestry.  We want it to be a place of uniting with other family members.  One of our goals is to construct a master O’Dochartaigh genealogy database, which will contain every O’Dochartaigh and their genealogy.  It will become a living depository for promoting solid, sound research for the present O’Dochartaigh families, as well as a legacy to future generations.”  (Patrick Dougherty)

Cameron Dougherty, of the O’Dochartaigh Clann Association, adds, “Because of the phenomenal success and growth of the research center a sister organization was established called the O’Dochartaigh Clann Association.  Through the Association, information is communicated all around the world (and it can come to your mailbox and inbox, too).  Regular newsletters and e-newsletters are mailed and emailed to keep our members informed and to share in the Association’s discoveries.  Plus, there are clan websites that are getting packed with wonderful information and impacting collaboration.  The Association has benefited from over 20 years of very active members who financially support and participates in the running of the organization and who are the lifeblood of its mission.”

Now the Research Center and the Association are only a half-mile apart from each other, already dynamically enhancing the success of each.

Both of them ask you to feel free in contacting the Research Center with your genealogy in-hand and the Clann Association with any questions.  There are multiple methods of contact.  You may use whichever one you’d prefer.  See the information below.  Also, please visit our websites for more information.  You will see the current projects we are working on and get to know some other family members.  Most of all, you will see what people can do when they work together and support each other.  

Slainte from Patrick and Cameron


O’Dochartaigh Family Research Center   O’Dochartaigh Clann Association   
c/o Patrick Dougherty                                             c/o Cameron Dougherty
4277 Wilson Ave SW                                             4078 Bruce Ct SW
Grandville, MI  49418                                            Grandville, MI  49418
Phone:  (616) 805-5219                       Phone:  (616) 534-8032
Email:  pfdougherty@comcast.net                       Email:  odochartaigh@comcast.net
Websites:  www.odochartaigh.org and www.odochartaighclann.org

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We have formed this member-run organization to share resources and genealogy information in order to learn our entire common family history, discover our ancestors and the forgotten stories of their lives.