Willie’s story featured in History Ireland

A short piece about my grandfather’s life and death has been published in the Personal History section of History Ireland. The section “aims to capture the individual histories of Irish people both in Ireland and around the world. It is hoped to build an extensive database reflecting Irish lives, giving them a chance to be heard, remembered and to add their voice to the historical record.”

My piece about Willie Diggin is titled “An Odd Coincidence.”

William Diggin

Willie Diggin, about 1920.

I’m grateful to Nick Maxwell of Wordwell Books for shepherding the piece. Disclosure: I subscribe to History Ireland, which offers excellent online, print and podcast presentations about — yes — Irish history.

This latest piece adds to the body of work I’ve published about my grandfather, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and a 12-day series on this blog titled “Willie’s Emigration Centennial.”

My genealogy and history research related to his life has culminated in a book, “His Last Trip: An Irish American Story,” which was published in December. I am happy to report the book has been accepted for the archives of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and the Heinz History Center. I am waiting to hear from additional libraries and archives.

Contact me via the blog if you are interested in obtaining a copy.