NEW BOOK RELEASE-NEW BOOK CELEBRATES LONG-BURIED STORIES OF BRAVE IRISH FAMILIES WHO LEFT IRELAND FOR CANADIAN SHORES, CONNECTING GENERATIONS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
February 16, 2023 (Toronto, Ontario). For immediate release—Kevin Lee and Tom Jenkins, authors of Shoeboxes: From Irish Roots to Canadian Branches are pleased to announce their Canadian media tour, from March 9 to March 22, 2023, at select locations across Southwestern Ontario.... Read more
The Family of Thomas Balfe and Sarah Kenny (click to read)
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The Byrne Family (click to read)
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The Cassidy Family (click to read)
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The Family of John Doyle (click to read)
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Why the title "Shoeboxes"?
The name of this book is derived from the type of box which, through the generations, was used as a storage place for precious documents, photographs and other memorabilia. Here were stored the photographs of baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings. alongside these were mass cards, sympathy cards and letters of condolence. in a way they were time capsules which serialized the life stories of families through life and, indeed through death. there are many cases where family shoeboxes, on both sides of the great Atlantic ocean, developed simultaneously and in parallel. there are cases where the contents of a Canadian family shoebox are replicated in a shoebox kept by long lost Irish cousins.
Apart from physical shoeboxes there are metaphorical shoeboxes stored away in the recesses of our minds. Classified, and stored in the folk memory of an immigrant class are stories and traditions of families which can be traced back to the old homeland. altered and embellished throughout the generations are tales which define the psyche, both of Irish Canadians, and their kinfolk who remained at home. in this book we tell the shoebox stories of over fifty such families.
Apart from physical shoeboxes there are metaphorical shoeboxes stored away in the recesses of our minds. Classified, and stored in the folk memory of an immigrant class are stories and traditions of families which can be traced back to the old homeland. altered and embellished throughout the generations are tales which define the psyche, both of Irish Canadians, and their kinfolk who remained at home. in this book we tell the shoebox stories of over fifty such families.
Meet the Authors
Kevin LeeA native of Rathdrum on the former Fitzwilliam-owned Coollattin estate in County Wicklow, Kevin Lee is an honours graduate in History and Geography from University College Dublin. As founder and chairperson of the Carnew Historical Society, Kevin lectures widely in Ireland and Canada on the socio-economic history of nineteenth century Ireland. His particular interest is Coollattin and that estate’s assisted programme of emigration from south County Wicklow to Ontario. This was the largest such programme undertaken during the Great Hunger. Kevin spent his working career as Principal of Colaíste Bhŕide, a second-level college in Carnew, County Wicklow. Significantly, the catchment area of this school is virtually identical to the core area of the Coollattin estate. Kevin and his wife Eleanor now spearhead the Coollattin Canadian Connection initiative, a cultural outreach that aims to reconnect Canadians with their south Wicklow roots.
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Tom JenkinsBorn and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Tom Jenkins is a descendant of Coollattin immigrants to Canada. He is a Canadian businessman with interests in the military, academia and innovation. Tom received an M.B.A. from Schulich School of Business at York University, an M.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto and a B.Eng. & Mgt. from McMaster University. He is Chair of the Board of OpenText Corporation, First Ascent Ventures and the World Wide Web Foundation. He is the former Chair of the National Research Council, a former member of the Board of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and was the 10th Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. Tom has received honorary degrees from Carleton University, McMaster University, Nipissing University, Royal Military College of Canada, University of Waterloo and York University. He has spoken internationally about computer science and business. Tom is an Officer of the Order of Canada and he is an Officer of the Order of Merit of Germany.
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Shoebox Readers Say...
“What a beautiful book. Thank you!” – Sara O’Toole, California, USA
“What a delight to meet you on your visit to Wales; and the wonderful gift of your book Shoeboxes–so well illustrated with many fascinating accounts from your research. – Jeremy Martineau, North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism, Wales
