Book Review: The Irish Inheritance
M. J. Lee, a “Print on Demand” book, paperback, 319 pages.
This is an interesting book in a series about Jayne Sinclair, a former police detective who has now turned herself into a genealogical detective. Jayne has retired from active police work but retains her contacts therein and now pursues private contracts seeking out long-lost ancestors for pay.
In this book, Lee interweaves an exciting tale of genealogical discovery with the story of two comrades in arms who form part of the famous Easter Rising in Dublin, Ireland in 1916. Chapters alternate between the present and the past as Jayne slowly uncovers the origin of her client’s family.
Jayne pursues the genealogy aspect as most researchers would do, with some uniquely creative efforts. She is an excellent interviewer and digs deeper and deeper into each potential clue. During her travels, Jayne is pursued and physically harassed by modern-day IRA hoodlums and another dark personage, keen to terminate her and her investigative efforts.
Our two young Irish soldiers experience the Easter Rising, one of the most devastating events of the Irish drama of the 20th century. They march, they gain weaponry, they are involved in an assassination, they join the Dublin uprising at the General Post Office, they dodge British bullets and penetrate roadblocks, they find love, and eventually they are captured and imprisoned. One of the young men finds a form of redemption by returning the effects of the assasinated British soldier to the soldier’s family. Their saga is incredibly close to the actual historical events. All the while, the critical clues of the artifacts are carried along with the story.
So, for those of us who are died-in-the-wool genealogists, this book is a wonderful recreational read. A time to relax from poorly crafted websites and flawed search mechanisms; a time to set aside those dusty volumes of ancient, barely legible records. A time to merely enjoy a genealogical adventure.
M. J. Lee has written several books in this series. I certainly plan to read others.
Ron Gilmore
Last Updated: November 21, 2024
Email: rvg3@me.com
Website: https://rgenealogy.ca