I'm the genealogist in the family and I've been able to trace my ancestors in Ireland back to the early 1800s. I come from a long line of labourers and farmers. The only particularly interesting branch is my paternal grandmother's family who were Protestant and so had a bit more money (and a servant according to one of the census records) The family were gatekeepers/land wardens for a large estate. From what I've heard my granny was basically disowned by her family for marrying a Catholic, although it may have been for marrying below her station too. He was a fellmonger working in a tannery.
My maternal grandfather was variously a coal man and a barman among other general labour jobs. My granny stayed at home but I understand she worked on the buses in England before she was married.
3 out of 4 of my grandparents were dead before I was born, with my surviving granny dying when I was 11. I sometimes wonder how different I would be as a person if I had experienced grandparental love and stories and all of that.
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