For the Grass of a Cow

For the Grass of a Cow: Marion Tiernan’s Irish ancestors from County Meath to Saint Lawrence County, New York, 1820–1999

If you are an American of Irish descent or interested in Irish-American history, this book will amaze you with its depth and insight.

A captivating history of emigrants from County Meath to settlements along the St. Lawrence River, it is told in a clear and down-to-earth voice that will keep you turning pages into the small hours. (Read More)

The book explores how the Irish maintained their identity despite attempts to wipe out their culture, language, and religion, and probes the reasons behind the pre-famine emigration of the 1820s and what followed with the Great Famine of 1845.

The perils of an ocean crossing to Quebec and travel on the St. Lawrence are told in a riveting narrative woven seamlessly into the story of the formation of the townships where lands acquired from the Iroquois were surveyed and sold to settlers shortly after American independence. The story continues with details of life in the wilderness where the land was cleared to start new farms.

The historical discussion switches in the later chapters to a multi-generational family history. Marion Tiernan’s ancestors and many of their neighbors are introduced. Their journeys from home parishes in Ireland to the new settlements are carefully laid out. The final chapters continue their family histories down to the present.

If you are researching and writing your own family history, this book will serve as an excellent example and model.

The genealogy is extensive and well-sourced. You will discover how to get the most out of Irish and U.S. records from the early 1800s so often overlooked or underutilized: Irish Census fragments from 1821; passenger lists from the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company; and the U.S. Censuses of 1830 and 1840.

You will learn new ways to make your genealogical record of distant family members come alive by placing them in a compelling historical narrative. You will see how this approach invites your readers to connect the dots between historical events and circumstances and the lives of their own relatives.

If you are a descendant of Marion Tiernan, her ancestors, or their neighbors in St. Lawrence County this is your story.

You will discover your deep roots in both the Irish and American experience. You will value this book as a wonderful keepsake of your family history and share it with your children and grandchildren.

Editorial Reviews

“This book is a perfect amalgamation of historical and genealogical information worthy of readership. Mr. Carletta is not just a story teller.…What stands out is his clear and concise writing, excellent organization, and scholarly presentation. The book delves deeply into the history of County Meath and Northeastern America, the reasons for emigration, and the conditions faced by the emigrants on their journey to Saint Lawrence County and in the wilderness where they settled.” –Victor C. Pellegrino

“Excellent family history. The book contains extensive, well-sourced information on the author’s heritage as well as details about the historical and sociopolitical context of early 19th century Irish immigration that bring the genealogical information to life….this book…will be of interest to relatives of the author and the broader public alike. For the Grass of a Cow serves as a fine model that achieves a complete and interesting story by including carefully selected biographical material from neighboring families.” –Timothy Leonard

“…a must-read for genealogists wanting to include multiple generations and branches of their tree into one family history book.…Carletta’s background in sociology, his research, and his passion for social history enable him to put his ancestors into a context all family historians can learn from.” –Helen Parker-Drabble

An in-depth history of Irish immigrants to Saint Lawrence County, New York