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President Obama's roots - 28 Irish American relatives identified

Ancestry.com search reveals new members of Obama's American family

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 2:34 PM

Updated Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 5:12 PM

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Genealogy experts discover 28 new relatives for Obama

Read more: Obama Ireland visit prompts international tourist campaign

The online genealogy site, Ancestry.com has carried out a survey revealing 28 Irish Americans share the same Irish ancestor as President Obama. Just four years ago Obama learned of his Irish ancestor Falmouth Kearney who fled Ireland during the Great Famine and came to the United States.

Lead family historian Anastasia Harman from Ancestry.com explained how they came to find these 28 relatives. She said "This is part of a larger project…As sort of a micro study of Irish immigrants' impact on America, we wanted to pick a ship full of Irish immigrants that came during the potato famine and see how they impacted America."

Ancestry.com found that Kearney had travelled on the 903-ton ship Marmion and arrived in New York harbor in March 1850 with 288 other Irish emigrants. He was travelling with his sister and her husband, Margaret and William Cleary.

Virginia Dunham (75), one of Obama's relatives tracked through Ancestry.com said she's proud of her links to the president. Dunham, a retired secretary and art teacher is a Democrat and lives in Maumelle Arizona. She is a half-sister of Stanley Dunham, Obama’s grandfather.

She explained that she got to meet him briefly at his inauguration. She said "I hadn't seen him since he was a little, bitty guy…I just gave some things to his security…that I had carried to the inauguration."

These "things" included family photographs of deceased relatives which she wanted to share with Obama.

Dorma Lee Reese (83) from Tucson, Arizona found out she is related to the President. Reese told CNN that she's not a fan of her new-found third cousin.

She said "I appreciate the office. But I can't appreciate what he's done…I just think that we're in a bigger mess than we've ever been in."

Vietnam veteran Dean Dillard (63), a retired college instructor from Chanute, Kansas had similar views. He said "There's pride in family and being related to a president. And I recognize the historical significance of his election…However, I do not agree with his political positions."

He continued saying "He's welcome to come to any family gatherings…I don't have anything against him personally. I think he's to be commended for the achievements of getting elected."

Dillard was aware that he had connection to the President before his historic election. He knew that his mother was a first cousin of Obama's grandfather, Stanley Dunham.

On St. Patrick's Day, during the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's traditional trip to visit the White House, Obama confirmed that he plans to visit Ireland this May.

Obama said "I intend to come to Ireland in May…I'm expecting to go not only to all the famous sites, but also to go to Moneygall, where my great-great-great-great-great grandfather hails from."

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cpcpcp1 | Mar 31, 2011, 11:56 AM EDT

A lot of us would be so happy if you would just keep Obama in Ireland. You are so proud that he is going to visit Ireland. He definitely has the gift of gab. The only problem is that so much of what he says isn't true

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ronnie4u2o | Mar 25, 2011, 12:32 AM EDT

Obama is a joke on the American People. his wife said at a press confrence that Brock was not born here. Even his Grandmother from Kenya said he Obama was born in kenya she saw him born in Kenya at the time was British . Obama himself said i'm not American when he was running for Congress, and its on Record & on news Clip. Obama is not American Born and his religion is Muslim not Christian Pictures Show him Praying bending over with other Muslims in a Mosque But he Refused to go to a Christian Church and pray at a Christmas Service Obama said he didn't want to cause any hard feelings to Christians & Non Christians.But it was ok to Pray at a Mosque. Give me a Breake are we that Dumb he thinks we are. This Guy is a Fraud ! and should be impeached.no Politicians have the Guts to Press the Issue. its too Hot !

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DaveyBoy | Mar 24, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT

Onama is a joke! he is neither American nor Irish he is so far removed from Irish history he is muxlim and always attests to it and as far as alot of people are concerbed his mother says he traveled with her to indonesia who is to say he wasnt born their and his mother lied through her teeth and had a friend write the announcement of his birth in the papers to keep him in the states?

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DaveyBoy | Mar 24, 2011, 11:21 AM EDT

he is such a false man his "Irish Roots"? they are from family far removed so he has no bearing nor has he even thought about it. He is muslim garbage by far more than any descendant of real Irish family. He doesnt care what happens to ireland and his third cousins shouldnt even want anything to do with him because he wouldnt care about them just to get their votes

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irishjan | Mar 24, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

It is interesting that NOW the president wants to visit Ireland and his "roots" when for the past 3 yrs he has not even acknowledged that side of his family. This is a person who considers himself "African Amercian", when he is truly mulato by birth. All the talk is about his African father who deserted him & his mother... there was little acknowledgement of his white side of the family. As for the issue of his birth certificate and proof of his nationality...why is it that he received tuition funding for his undergraduate degree as a "foreign-Indonesian student" if he was supposedly an American citizen? As a 2nd generation Irish American who has been back to Ireland many times, I feel that the Irish are better off without this person in our family tree... personally, I am insulted to think that NOW he wants to consider himself something other than black and suddenly become Irish! He also wants to travel there in May, but at who's expense?? Remember, when he travels with Mochelle, they take ALL their friends with them at OUR expense.

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krisdaly | Mar 24, 2011, 02:06 AM EDT

Hussein Obama is a Muslim and not a believer in the Gospel of Peace. This is why he continues on a war footing and is the puppet of Satan the Prince of Darkness!!!!

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Squiredarling | Mar 23, 2011, 07:31 PM EDT

I returned from Ireland yesterday, March 22. On Monday the 21st, I met with the Chairman of the Limerick County Council and the leaders in Ireland are very happy that the President of the United States is going to visit Ireland. They asked if anyone knew the President to ask him to visit Limerick. It would be great publicity for the City and County. Of course his being eight times removed from his "Irish Heritage" is less important than him being President of the United States. The Irish are happy when an American President visits, but they are concerned who is paying for all the security. Thses are tough times in Ireland and the country has a depressed economy. They are looking for a boost.

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pmunited | Mar 23, 2011, 12:43 PM EDT

It is hard to believe that there are still people who think President Obama was not born in the US, despite there being proof offered by the State of Hawaii. We have far more important issues that really need tackling: High unemployment, Decaying infrastructure, Climate change, Continued reliance on oil from an unstable part of the world, Growing poverty, 2 Wars in places where we are not wanted, etc. Instead politicians seem more interested in trivial issues such as Michelle Obama encouraging people to eat healthy food and are not prepared to tackle the real issues.

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peterson | Mar 23, 2011, 12:37 PM EDT

Hope his visit is brief !!

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mayoman | Mar 23, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

ChiChione: Well done. You're absolutely right.

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ChiChione | Mar 23, 2011, 10:47 AM EDT

Why are the "birthers" still trying to be believed? They are truly very sad people. There is so much proof that President Obama was born in Honolulu, HA that it is mind boggling why it is doubted! First of all, as a small child Obama travelled with his mother to Indonesia. Hello! You need a passport to travel internationally!!! In order to obtain a U.S. passport you must submit your BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!! As a 10 year old he travelled back from Indonesia to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. Again, travelling on a U.S. passport!!! There are two birth announcements in Honolulu newspapers!!! Do the "birthers" think that the President's family fore saw that one day he would be President of the United States and decided to fake his birth place? My God, how idiotic these "birthers" really are! The only real agenda of the "birthers" is to get recognition.

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cathy/marty | Mar 23, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT

Maybe Barry was born in Ireland ???

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carrickcourt | Mar 23, 2011, 09:39 AM EDT

Now is there "legitimate" birth cert for the last President Bush from Connecticut? He likely was born on a small island in Long Sound Sound which is technically not part of the USA.

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bcoc1124 | Mar 23, 2011, 01:19 AM EDT

Give me a break! You birthers are nuts!

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SAbikermama | Mar 22, 2011, 06:46 PM EDT

How unfortunate for the Irish. He's certainly not someone to be proud of in my estimation. Seems as tho he has "roots" everywhere. Too bad he can't provide a valid birth certificate.

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