
The Irish "Potato Famine" of 1845 resulted in the deaths of approximately 1 million people, but the subsequent emigration to escape the Famine resulted in a further decrease in population by another 3 million refugees. This emigration continued long after the 1850's into the 20th Century.
How did Irish Land Inheritance laws exacerbate the disaster? Well, it's complicated! Let's take a look.
Going back to the times before even the Norman Conquest in 1139, Irish lands were subdivided among all of the sons, legitimate and illegitimate, of the deceased patriarch under the Brehon Laws. As the population of the small Emerald Isle grew, the farming plots grew smaller and smaller.

England conquered Ireland in the 16th and 17th centuries, and under Cromwell, hundreds of thousands were driven off of their rich farmlands in Northern Ireland to the rocky western shores of Connaught, where the only suitable crop was the potato, which, oh by the way, originated in Andean South America (Peru and Bolivia). In fact, you could visit the Potato Park in Peru (Parque de la Papa), and learn all about how potatoes could save the world from famine today. But, I digress.
The blight that killed the potato crop in Ireland, was first found in America in 1843, took a ride on a ship to Belgium, and in 1845 was discovered at the Botanic Gardens of Dublin. Within a matter of months, it had spread across Ireland and destroyed the crops harvested that August.


After the Famine the practice of "subdivision" wherein the land was divided between all of the sons was changed so that only one child (son) could inherit the family farm. This meant that the other sons would have to find jobs and the daughters get married to support themselves. These younger children would receive financial assistance when possible (for education, emigration, and dowries). This led to further emigration and, not coincidentally, into many entering the clergy.
Modern day inheritance laws vary greatly around the world. In several countries the eldest son inherits ("patrilineal primogeniture") or it can be the oldest daughter (matrilineal). Sometimes it is the youngest son ("patrilineal ultimogeniture")! If you are trying to reason out why your ancestors moved, or didn't move, off of the family farm, research what the inheritance laws were in their country at the time!
One of the most exciting things about the pursuit of the hobby of Genealogy is the chance to learn more about so many varied subjects; history, geography, anthropology, the list can go on!
How's your tree coming? If you'd like some help, send me an email for a free evaluation/quote. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the Blaine Bettinger Autosomal DNA Analysis presentation for the Dallas Genealogical Society this weekend! https://dallasgenealogy.org/event/fall-seminar-3/
Thanks for spending time with me again!
Best regards,
Leslie Ryan
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
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Further reading:
Early Irish Laws (Brehon)
The Irish Famine
The Irish Famine and emigration
Peruvian Potato Park
Irish Farm Subdivision