The Island Wave Podcast with Jack Johnston - Irish Family Historian

We are excited to share this special episode with you. Our Producer, Kamaile, chats with Irish Family Historian and Cousin, Jack Johnston of County Tyrone, Ireland. Joining Kamaile for this episode is her mom, Hawaiian Family Historian, Noelani Phillips. 

We learn about Jack's journey as a historian, his work to connect sides during the troubles; He also helps clear up and shed light on some family legends. We hear about the connection made between Jack and four generations of Kamaile's family. The family had no knowledge of their link to Ireland until Kamaile's Great-great-grandfather confessed to his son that he had changed his name and run away from home in Ireland. That son, Kamaile calls Tutu Man, returned to Ireland in 1976 to meet his family. This trip would influence the trajectory of Jack's life as he then focused on his career as a historian.

Jack has corresponded with cousins all over the world, which produced some books so is now Author of; The Clogher Story and The Johnstons of Aughendrummond and Annagarvey.

According to the US Census Bureau, over 30 million Americans can trace their roots back to Ireland. Be on the lookout for the annual St. Patrick's Day sale from Ancestry DNA.

Family Members can request a transcript and video recording of this show by sending an email to theislandwavepodcast@gmail.com ~ Mahalo