Let Leo Look

About

      I am Leo McTiernan, a resident of the City of Boston, Massachusetts my entire life, and have been performing genealogy research for over twenty years, primarily  in Boston, Massachusetts, New England, Canada and Ireland.

    Like so many others, I initially became interested in my family history years ago, and after an interesting encounter while staying in a London hotel one day.  I came upon the hotels' concierge, a fellow by the name of  Tiernan O'Rourke.  He and I exchanged some familial information, realized that we both had our Irish ancestry in County Sligo, Ireland, and he then proceeded to inform me that he felt that "we may be related" in some way.  He explained to me that the "Mc" of my surname simply means "son of", and that the McTiernans' are a Sept of the Clan O'Rourke. Tiernan O'Rourke  was an Irish king, from whom many McTiernans are descended. As a second generation Irish American, I quickly realized that I knew little, or nothing, about my Irish genealogy and ancestry, or even about my own family history in Boston, Massachusetts. This chance encounter has changed my life. My curiosity about my own ancestry had been piqued, the search for my family history was on !

    My genealogy journey has led me to utilize DNA testing to aid in discovering  "lost" family in Ireland, England, British Columbia, Canada, Australia and all across the United States, including some found even in my home state of Massachusetts!  Along the way, I have become very familiar with many genealogy resources. Click here to see some  LINKS  that I have found to be quite useful.

    Whilst researching my own family, I have had the opportunity to act as an Associate in a worldwide genetic study project.  As a direct result of this DNA testing project, I have come to discover my Australian connection to  Sir Edward McTiernan.  Additionally, previously unknown cousins from County Sligo, Ireland,  came to be discovered, one of whom,  Thomas McTiernan, still resides upon the land where my great-great-grandfather had a farm over 170 years ago!  These genealogical successes have enabled me to make connections with my own ancestral past, as well as connecting with living cousins, not previously met.  Our clan reunions were the first time in over 150 years many of our family had been together.

    This love of genealogy research has encouraged me to assist others in their own pursuits of family history, and obtain my Irish citizenship.  Initially, I performed this as an interested hobbyist for friends and relatives.  As time passed, and requests for my genealogical services increased, I chose to conduct this genealogy research service professionally.

    Why should you hire a professional genealogist ?  How would you go about the process to hire a professional genealogist ?

      I make several Irish genealogy research trips each year to Dublin, and other counties.  In addition to traveling the country,  performing research at the County Heritage Centres, libraries and parishes, I conduct research at the National Library of Ireland,  Land Valuation Office  National Archive of Ireland,  Church of Ireland Library  and General Record Office.  As a part of my Irish genealogy research trips, I will be happy to look into some of your family history research problems while there.

    Genetics, as applied to genealogy research,  can provide great clues in aiding your family history projects through DNA testing.. I can assist you in coordinating, administering and analyzing your DNA testing results. This can be done with fellow researchers, sharing your same surname, with  its' spelling variations, or simply individuals who feel they may possibly share a genetic link with yourself and others. Consider starting, or becoming a part of, a surname project. 

    Additional services I can provide, in addition to those genealogy research services already mentioned, include producing Virtual Family History Tours.  Virtual Family History Tours are provided for those of you who are interested in knowing, and seeing, where your ancestors lived, in and around, the Boston, Massachusetts and New England areas.  I can research where your family had their homes, travel to these locations for you, and digitally photograph the homes, gravesites and places of work  These can be done as a combination of still photographs, and film clips, as requested.  Exact locations, when available, of  homes, birthplaces, Neighborhoods  and grave markers, using maps and Global Positioning System coordinates (GPS),  of these familial sites can be provided for those interested in visiting these same sites at a later time.

    My prior life experiences include nearly twenty years working as an Analyst in the private sector, and several years spent as an Investigator in the public sector.  Combined, this experience has prepared me well with exceptional analytical and problem skills. Let Leo Look for your family history in Boston, Massachusetts, New England or Ireland. I'd like to be able to help you discover as much about your family, past and present, as I have had the pleasure to do with my own, and for Others.

      Please feel free to Contact me if you have any questions.   

  leo@letleolook.com