2 comments about Irish-English/English-Irish Easy Reference Dictionary, New Edition.

1. It is very easy to use and it can be a life saver when you are not sure about a certain word as you are learning irish.It contains about 24,500 entries. This is the main irish dictionary that I use. :) Although, it is best to buy this with an Irish course or at least have some knowledge about the pronunciation of irish words because the pronunciation is not listed with the word. But has proved to be very very useful, helpful, and invaluable as I learn about Gaelic Irish!



2. This is my first dictionary for learning Irish, and so far it's been pretty good. It is fairly complete in terms of entries, and often has examples of how words are used. It doesn't have pronunciations, which is a bummer on the Irish side but, in some ways, even more so on the English side because when I want to look up the Irish word for "live", for example, so I can talk about where I live, there is also an entry for "live" as in live music. So I have to go back and forth a bit. But overall I like this dictionary.

No comments about Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide.

2 comments about Irish Family Names Map (Collins British Isles and Ireland Maps).

1. Our Irish heritage group searched high and low for this item for years and years. The single mounted copy that we had was a source of endless fascination for members and for visitors when we set up at the local highland games and other festivals. It is also a good, basic map of Ireland and its counties. We bought two.
   Note to the Scottish: Collins publishes a similar map for Scotland with clan crests instead of coats of arms. A must buy for any convener or clan commissioner.



2. The map is a must for anyone who is tring to put together a family tree. It is well laid out and clear. Gives one a solid grasp on where the family lived/originated. I found it very helpful

3 comments about Clans and Families of Ireland: The Heritage and Heraldry of Irish Clans and Families.

1. A beautifully illustrated and well written guide to the origins of the 200 most popular surnames in Ireland.

   Also included is history of the Irish race in all it's forms, this alone is worth the price of the book as it will allow anyone to form a clear understanding of Irish history, cutting away all the myths and confusions that surround the Irish and their origins.

   This book is an essential read for anyone with Irish ancestry or any one with an interest in Irish History and you will find yourself dipping into it again and again.




2. i got this as a gift for my husband (a Reilly) and congratulate myself on the purchase! The historical background is EXCELLENT - enabled me to understand the different ethnic roots of the Irish and also the complexity of the Catholics vs Protestants, etc. In addition, the description of the mass exodus of the Irish to foreign lands was great, the author detailing the emotional background exquisitely. Finally, it was a lot of fun looking up the origins of Irish last names. The crests of each clan is shown in colour.

   If I have a complaint, it would be that the significance of the crest of each clan was not discussed along with the origin and history of each clan. If that was included, this book would be 100% perfect, instead of 95% perfect.




3. The price of this book was good - but there was nothing new in it - and it did not have 2 of my Irish lines in the book- so no help for my research.

5 comments about The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small (Third Edition, Expanded).

1. The third edition of this work is definitely the best. It contains the index to the entire 28 volumes in the series, which covers every county in Ireland. The second edition was published earlier, and does not contain the complete index to the series. The third edition has all the family history information from the second edition, PLUS the complete series info. This book contains the largest collection of Irish Family Names, locations and arms ever put to print.



2. This book covers a huge range of Irish names, however only provides minimal information on each and coat of arms for the select few. It provided the same information that is easily found on the web.



3. A great book giving information on Irish Family names and regions they are found in. A very useful book for those doing Irish family research.



4. This book is a huge disappointment. All it lists is surnames and if any a short sentence about the name. For instance Moylan: an old irish family.
   
   Totally a huge waste of money.



5. I must borrow the words of another reviewer of this great book, this book of Irish Families is currently the best work of it's genre available!! I have found MANY of Mr. O'laughlin's books to be of such great importance with my Irish research.. but this one takes the cake! He is so dedicated to his work and it shows. This book offers 20,000 Irish family names, 700 illustrated coats of arms, ancient maps and illustrations and so much more. I found the step by step guides for tracing Irish family roots amazing!!! Thank you Thank you, Mr O'laughlin!!!!!

5 comments about The Surnames of Ireland.

1. If you are looking for a detailed family history, this is not the book for you. But it does list thousands of surnames found in Ireland along with three or four lines summarising origin and location. It also includes many rare and exotic sounding names which you will not find in any other book. This book is a starting point only and the serious researcher should also have "Irish Families" and "More Irish Families" by the same author if he is looking for detailed information.



2. There are a lot of names here, but very little information - only one sentence on my family, which I already knew. I expected more information or at least a source to go to for more background. OK for generic research only for rare names.



3. I have used this book repeatedly for my personal studies of Irish Gaelic. It is the definitive work on the subject. It goes so far as to indicate modern (often shortened) Gaelic spellings alongside of the originals so that a name's devivation is evidant. So too are inventions (ie. late-Norman) and borrow-names (ie. Nordic or English) indicated. What did not make it here, appears in the suppliment More Irish Names. Definately not for researchers of their family history (try McLoughlin), but rather the study of the nominclature, the Irish language, or entomology.



4. an excellent book in general, but a very short on native Irish Antrim county names; sometimes confusing them with Hebridean Scottish ones. And God help you if you have an obscure Irish name.. it will not be there.



5. an excellent book in general, but a very short on native Irish Antrim county names; sometimes confusing them with Hebridean Scottish ones. And God help you if you have an obscure Irish name.. it will not be there.

5 comments about Saxons, Vikings, and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland.

1. The book, "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts," is a fantastic "read," and not just for quasi-amateur genealogists or DNA-obsessed readers like me. Because it is down-to-earth and includes just the right amount of technical vocabulary, usually well-defined, it will suit the popular taste and those who love a taste of mystery, science, and suspense. As a member of the Hawley Society, a group dedicated to researching the Hawley surname and the descendents of one Joseph Hawley who left England and arrived in America possibly around 1630, I found the answers to some nagging questions about the movements of my ancestors, where they came from and how they dispersed. The "story" was enlightening, exciting, and exhilerting--but informative, most of all.



2. Although there was some very interesting information in this book, there was not nearly as much as I had hoped for. Not an easy read. Perhaps it's the subject, not the author.



3. This is in general an interesting book, thoroughly researched and presented mostly in an concise, easy to follow format. Occasionally Sykes tends to over-explain his methodology in research and the prose becomes a bit tdeious. Personally, I find the stories of the people more compelling than the science of DNA study and while there is some of that you must slog through a fair amount of data to get to the human story. All in all I'd recommend this book although I am still waiting for an author who can better make the lives of our ancestors come to life in a compelling and thoughtful manner. Sykes research results offer few surprises from the genetic makeup of the people of the United Kingdom, and serves primarily to substantiate the history we all learned in school. As my own heritage is English, Scottish & Irish I found some insight into my background but little new. The WASP appellation is now supported not only by conventional history but by genetics as well.



4. _Saxons, Vikings, and Celts_ by Bryan Sykes is the author notes on page one the first book of its type, one on the genetic history of Britain and Ireland (which he refers to as the Isles throughout the book), using DNA as the main source of information. Having looked at much larger issues in the human past he wanted to "dissect the intimate genetic make-up of a smaller region," to look at the truth behind some of the popularly held ideas and myths about the Isles.
   
   Throughout the centuries monarchs have used myths and legends about the origins of various peoples to justify their leadership and to bolster their policies. Several kings used Arthurian legends to justify their reign, believing the Britons, personified by Arthur, to be the truly indigenous people of the whole of Britain and the later Saxons "treacherous imposters," despite evidence for Arthur's very existence being on shaky archaeological ground (questions about him were raised at least as far back as the early 1500s by Renaissance scholar Polydore Vergil). Edward I said he was merely fulfilling Merlin's prophecies in his campaigns in Wales and Henry VII used Arthurian myth effectively in his defeat of Richard III.
   
   In a complete about face, Henry VIII, after his bitter break with Rome, instead pushed forward the idea that the original Britons had been wiped out and the English were in fact the linear descent of Saxons, who of course now were no longer vilified but lionized as "strong, self-confident, and adventurous," who had triumphed over the weak Britons and who possessed the stout spirit of Protestant independence of the Teutonic Germans.
   
   What began as part of a declaration of religious independence from Rome transformed into a "virulent doctrine of Saxon/Teutonic racial superiority over the other inhabitants of the Isles," one that was to have far-reaching consequences. The Teutonic Myth and "Teutomaniacs" encouraged racist and divisive policies against the Welsh, Scots, and Irish, a mind-set that only began to fade with Germany's enthusiastic embrace of the myth themselves.
   
   The pendulum seems to have swung the other way again - albeit with considerably less racist overtones -with a virtual Celtic Renaissance and the rise of the "Celtic brand," as people throughout Scotland, Wales, and Ireland but also among those of British descent in America enthusiastically buy "Celtic" jewelry, play "Celtic" music, and celebrate "Celtic" holidays, all this despite the fact that the notion of the Celts as separate people and the idea of any similarities between the Welsh, Scots, and Irish didn't really arise until the 1700s. Nevertheless, this hasn't stopped concepts of being Celtic from serving as both political rallying cry and tapping into feelings of displacement and affinity with aboriginal peoples.
   
   Sykes wanted to cut through all of these myths. To what degree are the people of the Isles really Saxon or Celtic (or in the north Viking)? Are these purely cultural movements, myths put forward by kings to serve political ambitions, or is there some grain of truth to these eagerly embraced (and exploited) beliefs?
   
   Sykes wasn't the first to begin delving into the origins of the British people in a scientific manner. Even at the height of Saxon mania in the Victoria era, one individual, a barrister by the name of Luke Owen Pike, was questioning notions of racial superiority and purity and the very idea of the complete extermination of native peoples by invaders, putting forth the way-ahead-of-his-time notion that what would result would be the creation of a hybridized racial mixture, one in which the indigenous component would generally predominate. Although amateur naturalist John Beddoe struggled to come up with an impartial system of classifying physical appearance into different groups and early work with human blood groups (the famous types A, B, O, and AB) went a long way towards removing prejudice and human error from investigating the origins of various populations in the Isles, it took the discovery and analysis of DNA to make real strides. The blood groups studies were a "blunt instrument," lacking the finesse of the detailed findings of later DNA work and unfortunately tempted researchers to either fabricate arguments to explain their findings or were often so broad in outcome as to justify preconceived notions.
   
   Sykes and his team used two tools. One was mitochondrial DNA (or mDNA), which has two outstanding properties for its use to analyze the human past. First, it mutates twenty times faster than regular DNA (by comparison the rate of nuclear DNA mutation is so low that we are virtually all the same), and second all mDNA comes only from the mother, who got it from her mother (men do not pass down mDNA). Amazingly, at any time in the past, be it 100 or 10,000 years ago, there was only one woman alive at the time from which you have inherited your mDNA from.
   
   This of course only tells the female side, what about the male? For that Sykes looked at the Y-chromosome, found of course only in men. It is a mirror image of the inheritance pattern for mDNA and fortunately does vary enough genetically over time to be useful in a study.
   
   So what did the study reveal? Is evidence of Saxon, Viking, and Celtic culture in the Isles the consequence of large-scale immigration or instead the result of indigenous people copying and adapting new styles, perhaps imposed by a small conquering minority? To vastly oversimplify this wonderful book, overall the genetic structure of the Isles is "stubbornly" Celtic, if by Celtic one means the people who were here before the Romans and who spoke a Celtic language. While the people of the Shetland and Orkney Islands do have a substantial Viking genetic presence (40% and 30% respectively), surprisingly 10% in the east and 5% in the north of England owe their genetic heritage to Saxons, Danes, or Normans, "only denting the Celtic substructure." There is also no genetic evidence of any large-scale Celtic immigration from central Europe to the Isles either.



5. I read the 2007 US edition of the 2006 UK book aka "Blood of the Isles: Exploring the Genetic Roots of Our Tribal History".
   
   The author-scientist chases the matrilineal and patrilineal genes of the UK and Ireland in order to compare his statistics with history books - which are in for a couple of revisions.
   
   I find the results very rewarding to read, no matter of how much expendable information on his field work quest may be appreciated or not. (There are worse books in this aspect.) What bothers me is what he is NOT really indulging in. Because that has dire consequences in the reader's thinking processes. As a few reviewers have pointed out already, there isn't one mother's and one father's line of genetic inheritance only, but many many more. I would like to be more precise: The number of ancestors doubles with every generation. Calculating with some 20-25 years for one generation, no calculator will be able to depict the number of zillions of ancestors for not even the earliest times considered in this book. In fact, all ancestors will feature many times in every person's family tree. For easy counting, any human who produced a surviving line of descendents in the year 0 is a multiple ancestor of EVERY human living today. Not only in "the isles". On earth. In other words, putting individuals in separate units of so-called clans is a new level of racism, which may be called geneticism. Please be aware that this ugly word "racism" doesn't need to have the connotation of intended bad feelings and behavior towards a group of people. (That will follow more or less intense automatically.) Literally, it means the belief in / the doctrine [of the existence] of races. As a geneticist, Bryan Sykes knows perfectly well, that there aren't any races. Yet, he replaces this construct with another: The belief / the doctrine [of the existence] of clans. So maybe it should get called "clanism". That in science language will be "racism" again, as the Arabic/Semitic root word "ras" means head, in this context origin of a group of people. Many well-intended reviews on this site confirm the misleading ways, this book has been written in. Readers easily think, they belong to two clans. In reality, they belong to EVERY genetic clan. But only two are contemporarily measurable. That is indeed racism on a sophisticated 21st century level. Constructed sense of identification not by ethnic looks, but by constructed genes. Brian Sykes even points out, how much people seem to feel to belong to each other out of nowhere after realizing their clan connections. That these are one or even two out of a complete line of re-connection of the entire humanity in by far less than two millennia, is completely not realized. Feeling connected to one particular group means to feel disconnected to all other groups of the same category. And yes, out of hand, I would have to get in a science fiction mood to draw some conclusions, of how that may turn out ugly for society. I don't know yet. But humanity WILL find out, as humanity's meme pool is programmed to turn EVERY constructed line of separation into the ugly parts of history books. Most certainly, already, this construct PREVENTS a feeling of a healing complete belonging to EVERYONE, as we have the respective potential knowledge for that today. Ironically, Bryan Sykes references the 19th century German linguist (Friedrich) Max Müller who was more or less involuntarily responsible for the belief in races, with all its later ugly consequences to this very day. I wonder, wether Bryan Sykes may go down similarly in history...
   
   As for his history revisions based on genetics: Most certainly, his findings merit some attention. However, contrary to popular belief, we cannot be SURE about the absolute validity of the conclusions drawn from the hard genetic facts - again: of two lines of heritage out of all of them, which are virtually indefinite. The only thing, his work is able to say, is which of these two lines were able to dominate all others. In this context, it is important to realize the misconception to say that the others are extinct. For they are all still in us, just not measurable with current science. Bryan Sykes' work may point into a general direction. Or it may not. Or it's a mix of both. Because according to the chaos theory, the smallest events are able to cause the most grave consequences futher down the time, in this case distortions of gene pools. Brian Sykes even makes a special point about the Genghis effect, i.e. one ruler being able to cause millions of descendents even via the single measurable patrilineal line. Only the tip of the iceberg, what may cause those distortions: differing copulation habits (spouse picking) according to e.g. visual ethnicity, social status, cultural customs such as marriage systems, free love, rape society, religious abstinence etc. Add political factors, such as slow or sudden genocide, prohibitive marriage laws based on groups; the average number of kids per family according to peer group. Also consider that absolute numbers and proportion of society may change differently along the centuries. Last not least, the fertility rate of different genes play a role. I wonder, wether different pictures of revised history may emerge, depending on considering representative DNA-samples of human remains of certain centuries. Maybe, a future book with the title "The Bones of the Isles" will tell us a completely different scenario. Don't get me wrong: Bryan Sykes' (and other geneticists') work is important as a step, maybe even a milestone towards an ever better overstanding of history. This book however tells history with a few pieces of the puzzle only, but presents itself as the entire picture. That way, the author gets in line with those historic historians/scientists who are listed by later colleagues as having thought wrongly because of certain respective contemporary thinking.
   
   In addition, I was a bit disappointed, as I thought, this book would use hard evidence genetics to enlighten certain controversial issues. Such as: Were the early "Britons" really black skinned and some of these derived from Egypt? Books suggesting one and/or the other include David MacRitchie's 1880s two-volume classic Ancient and Modern Britons: Volume One (Ancient & Modern Britons), Ivan Van Sertima's 1980s African Presence in Early Europe (Journal of African Civilizations) and Ralph Ellis' 2006 Cleopatra to Christ (Jesus was the Great Grandson of Cleopatra) / Scota, Egyptian Queen of the Scots (Ireland and Scotland were founded by an Egyptian Queen) [Two Books in One]. Though I find the last of these three generally not that good a book, Bryan Sykes actually confirms at least the part of heritage from northern Iberia. (Ellis suggests northern Spain as the stepping stone of migration from Egypt.) Sykes goes a bit into the issue of phenotype, but only very tentatively. Briefly mentioning a rare sub-saharan clan in the UK (not by more recent migration). Ultimately, he shies away from this hot potatoe. Speaking of more recent migrations: Obviously, he leaves out supposedly visually distinctive more recent migrants. Why can't they have ancient British genes as well? Do they HAVE to be more recent migrants? May there be common clans among ancient and more recent migrants on the next larger level? Arbitrarily, he stops with the borders of Europe to identify clans. That is HIS artificial parameters, not the one of the genes, which don't care about constructed political boundaries. And is the focus on the countryside genes really adequately representative?
   
   Last not least, either the Celts or the Picts may have managed to dominate the other via these two measurable gene lines, as is visually and/or genetically obvious in other instances, e.g. with one genetic line in the Black Jews called the Lemba in southern Africa. Most certainly, it will help to read the previous books by the author, in which he attempts to describe his clan mothers and fathers visually. (The Seven Daughters of Eve and Adam's Curse: A Future without Men). In one aspect, he seems to be completely mistaken: He avers, the megalith culture would be "a purely Atlantic phenomenon, owing nothing at all to the Mediterranean world." At least, he is mentioning Atlantic Africa as well, which other books studiously ignore. However, even the very orthodox history book of 1977 Megalith Builders devotes entire chapters to Maltese megalith temples and other megalithic structures of pre-dynastic Egypt, Syria and elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
   
   The bottom line is: This book is worthy to read, but please don't get pulled in by the construction of yet another separation, the so-called genetic clans.

4 comments about A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland, Second Edition.

1. t' de flo' wid y



2. Now in a new and expanded second edition, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland by genealogical expert Brian Mitchell has added maps detailing the location of Roman Catholic parishes in all thirty-two counties of Ireland, and Presbyterian congregations in the nine counties of Northern Ireland. A complete geographical picture of the three major religious dominations in Ireland during the middle years of the 19th century is another newly added feature. An invaluable reference and guide for doing genealogical research for an Irish ancestry, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland continues to be an indispensable, core addition to personal, professional, and genealogical society reference collections.



3. Now in an updated second edition, genealogy research expert Brian Mitchell's A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland is a very straightforward, accessible reference, presenting maps of each Irish county. Each county has five maps: one depicting the Church of Ireland parishes, one showing the baronies and Church of Ireland dioceses, one of the poor law unions and parishes included within probate districts, one of Roman Catholic parishes and dioceses, and a fifth set of maps for the nine counties of Northern Ireland shows Presbyterian congregations. Since civil registration for everyone in Ireland didn't begin until 1864, A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland is an extremely useful reference for tracing ancestors who lived prior to 1864. An invaluable contribution to genealogical reference and resource materials.



4. This book doesn't give me all the answers I needed, but it has been a trememdous help in getting closer to finding my Irish Ancestors. Worth adding to my bookshelf.

5 comments about Tracing Your Irish Ancestors, Third Edition.

1. Tracing Your Irish Ancestors by professional Irish genealogist John Grenham is specifically written and designed to be used by researchers at all levels of experience, from the novice beginning to the seasoned professional. Organized into three major sections, Part 1 surveys the most basic genealogical sources for researching Irish ancestry; Part 2 provides a more advanced application of genealogical research project tools and resources; Part 3 is a reference guide to a comprehensive range of materials that include county source lists and church records. Also very highly recommended as a reference work for Irish-oriented genealogical researchers is the second edition of Brian Mitchell's A New Genealogical Atlas Of Ireland (080-6316845, $20.00).



2. This handy paperback is the first place to start for Irish research.

   Irish ancestors can be very elusive due to a variety of factors. Don't get frustrated - get educated. You CAN hunt your Emerald Isle ancestors successfully when armed with the knowledge in this book.

   While covering all of the standard civil, church, census, and land records, Grenham's book also covers wills, deeds, newspapers, directories, and other less-used records. The final third of the book is a county-by-county reference guide describing extant censuses and substitutes, available local histories, monumental inscriptions and other sources for each county.

   One of the outstanding features of the book is the Catholic parish maps for each county. These were drawn by the author's father and give the date of the earliest records available for each parish.

   A researcher with Irish heritage must be as indefatigable and adaptable as their own Irish forebears were in order find them in the existing records. This book is one of the tools you need to start with.




3. I live in Ireland and I bought this book about October, 2001. It's an updated version of the 1993 book. Having looked through many books in libraries, I found this to be the ultimate guide to Irish genealogy. I have succeeded in tracing my family back to the eighteenth century from information about parish records, census records etc, as John lists them so well. It gives details of sources county by county in chronological order. The church record listing is also excellent. This is definitely the Irish genealogy bible.



4. This book is a great help for anyone trying to trace an Irish ancestor. It is very well organized, giving the reader both general information and information specific to localities. Many internet sites are listed. I would highly recommend this book to any Irish researcher.



5. I am so pleased with this book, as I just discovered my roots are with the Irish. Such a wealth of information, I am so impressed.
   from a Scottish born native, now USA citizen.

5 comments about O'Baby: The Irish Baby Name Book.

1. I found this book to be quite helpful and full of information. I did expect it to be bigger, as in a physically larger book, but for it's size it is chock-a-block with names.

   The book is divided up into sections so that you can find a name based on Irish animals, myths, saints, legends, etc and dark, light or red hair. Then there is a complete name listing from A to Z, a list that translates Irish names to English and another that does English to Irish.

   What I especially liked was that the author gave you the Irish name, often an alternative spelling (ie. older or more tradish Irish), how to pronounce the name, whether it is for a boy or girl and Anglicanized alternative spelling(s). Each name has a short story about where it came from, what is it's meaning and any other names it is related to.

   This is a great reference guide and enjoyable to simply read, too.




2. This charming name book will assist parents in choosing the appropriate Celtic name for their baby as it provides an extensive list of evocative Irish names. But why an Irish name? For some reason, this musical language and the magical legends of Ireland have become very popular in the Anglo-Saxon world and further afield. The introduction discusses trends in the giving of names and mentions the most popular current Irish names. The chapter Little Dark One provides a cursory history of the settling of Ireland by the Celts and then lists and explains suitable names for dark haired people, such as Darcy, Douglas and Duane. In the chapter The Fairest Of Them All there's mention of the Tuatha De Danaan and a discussion of names like Barry, Finbar, Kelly, etc. Red haired people are treated in the next chapters, where some of the more common names are Rory and Rowan, whilst the next chapter deals with names deriving from the root words for light or brightness; these include Aidan and Keegan. A Celtic Menagerie provides names that are connected with animal names or qualities: here you will find Colm, Conan, Conor, Oscar and Ronan. In the chapter titled The Green Isle, names derived from plants are given, including Darren and Tyrone. Warrior names in the next chapter include Casey, Fergal and Kane. Wednesday's Child provides names for less worthy traits, like Doran, Etain and Kennedy. Banshee names include Bevin, Cliona and Una, while names invented by authors include Fiona, Gulliver, Imogen and Vanessa. The next chapter discusses and lists the retranslation back into Irish, of popular Anglophonic names and also provides a list of Irish names with their English translations. The A - Z index lists all the names and their meanings/histories alphabetically and is followed by a calendar of saints' feast days. This interesting read and valuable reference work concludes with a thorough index.



3. Only mildly accurate, the clumsy mix of true Gaelic forms along with Anglicizations leaves me a bit put off. This might make it useful to many, but it is not at all formal in structure. There are also some names with variations given that are just ridiculously old. Noone uses the root 'dub' in place of 'dubh.' Some truly ancient names are included, but their selections are random. It appears to be mostly gloss from a few limited sources.



4. I ordered this book and was going to return it because it is such poor quality but it wasn't worth the return postage. I put it in the recycling bin instead. Seriously! I was surprised to see so many good reviews that I felt it was my duty to report otherwise. Try doing a web search if you are looking for Irish baby names rather than wasting the money on this book. You can see by my signature that we went a different route entirely (this was not caused by the terrible quality of the book, however! We decided our surname was good enough).



5. This was a really well laid out book. We found one of our girls names in there (Keira) and quite a few others that made it to the list. In the end, the other daughter received a Russian name ;-)
   I've given this book to another Irish friend expecting twins.