Statement of Scope:

 

This pathfinder is about the Great Irish Potato Famine.  A famine is defined as an extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.   A great famine took place in Ireland in from 1845-1850.  As a result of the famine, more than one million Irish people died and more than two million immigrated to the United States.

This pathfinder is for fourth grade students who are studying immigration.  It is also intended to assist teachers by providing them with background information on the famine and the wave of immigration that followed.  

Introduction:

Great Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1850 killed about one million Irish people and caused millions more to leave Ireland. The famine began after a plant disease destroyed potato crops, the chief food of the Irish poor. Most historians agree, though, that British mishandling of the food shortage turned it into a tragedy.  Some of the Irish were tenant farmers, who paid as rent most of the crops and animals they raised. But many of the Irish were landless laborers who worked the fields in exchange for a small plot on which to grow potatoes. Most Irish families lived on potatoes and little else.

Despite the blight, other crops thrived in Ireland. But the food was shipped elsewhere to be sold. In 1847, the worst year of the starvation, nearly 4,000 shiploads of food left famine-stricken areas in Ireland for English and Scottish ports.

From the World Book On-line Reference Center.

Here are some things to consider as you use this pathfinder:

·        What was life in Ireland like in before the famine?  

·        How did such a large population come to rely upon a single crop for its food? Can you imagine eating only one kind of food?

·        Could the famine have been avoided?

·        What was England's role in this famine?

·        What was life like for the Irish immigrants in the United States?

 

If your ancestors come from Ireland, there is a good chance that they came here as a result of the famine.  Today, there are approximately 34.5 million Irish Americans (from the U.S Census Bureau). That is almost nines times more than the population of Ireland today!

 

Table of Contents:

 

Keywords and Subject Headings

Dewey Classification Numbers

Encyclopedias and Research Tools

Books (Fiction and Non-fiction)

Websites

Non-print Resources (CDs, DVDs etc.)

Teacher Resources

 

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Keywords and Subject Headings:

 

Famine

Ireland

Famine -- Ireland

Ireland -- History -- 1845-1852

Ireland -- Immigration and emigration

United States -- Immigration and emigration

Irish Americans -- United States

Irish Americans -- History

 

 

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Dewey Classification Numbers:

 

Immigration and emigration                       

304.809

Emigration from Ireland to the US               

325.415

Famine                                                   

363.8

Potatoes                                                 

635

The History of Ireland (1800-1899)             

941.5081

United States (1845-1861)                         

973.6

 

 

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Note: Some of the links below require a Burlington County Library card.  If you don’t have a library card, you can apply for one on-line or in person at your local library.  To apply for card on-line ask your parents to click on this link:

 

 

Encyclopedias and Research Tools:

 

World Book Online – The World Book Online is available at Burlington County Library branches or online through this link with a library card. When using the encyclopedia try using the search term “great Irish famine”. 

 

Gramadach Lexicon—an Irish /Gaelic Dictionary - By using this on-line dictionary you can learn a word or two in Gaelic the language of Ireland.

 

Kids Search Ebsco (k-5) -  A Kids Ebsco Search is a one-stop site for kids, kindergarten through 5th grade, with links to magazine and encyclopedia articles, information on animals, a dictionary, and pictures. It is available at Burlington County Library branches or online through this link with a library card.

Altapedia Online - This online atlas will show you a map and facts about Ireland.

CIA Worldfact Book -  The CIA Worldfact Book contains interesting facts about Ireland. It also has maps and a picture of their flag.

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Books:

All books are available through the Burlington County Library System.  The links below will take you directly to the library on-line catalog. With your Burlington County library card you can reserve the book on-line.  If you don’t have a library card, you can apply for one on-line or in person at your local library.  To apply for card on-line ask your parents to click on this link:

 

 

Fiction:

The Long March: the Choctaw’s gift to Irish famine relief by Mary Louise Fitzpatrick—In 1847 the Choctaw, themselves impoverished, raised $170 (the equivalent of more than $5000 today) to aid the Irish, then in the middle of the great potato famine. For ages 9-12.

 

Fiona McGilray's story : a voyage from Ireland in 1849 by Clare Pastore—They left their homelands during the worst moments in history - and arrived in America ready to reach for their dreams. These are their stories.

 

          Small beauties: the journey of Darcy Hart O’Hara by Elvira Woodruff—Darcy Heart O'Hara, a young Irish girl who neglects her chores to observe the beauties of nature and everyday life, shares "family memories" with her homesick parents and siblings after the O'Haras are forced to emigrate to America in the 1840s. For grades 2-5.

 

 

Non-fiction:

The Irish American by J.F. Watts - traces Irish history from its Celtic roots through famine and the continuing tragedy of political and religious strife. For ages 9-12.

 

American Origins:tracing our Irish roots by Sharon Moscinski - Describes life in Ireland, the Potato Famine, emigration to America, and the contributions of the Irish Americans to their new land. For ages 9-12.

 

Feed the Children first: the memory of the great hunger Edited by Mary E. Lyons - From the mouths of those who suffered a devastating tragedy comes a vivid account of how real people struggled during the Irish potato famines of 1845 and 1852. Includes first-person remembrances and woodcuts of the time. Full-color and b&w illustrations. For grades 4-8.

 

          Black potatoes: the story of the great Irish famine, 1845-1850 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti  -The award-winning author pens a fascinating account of the potato blight that struck in Ireland, telling the story of the men, women, and children who made every attempt to survive and hang on to hope. For grades 6-10.  This book is a more challenging read. It would make a good read-aloud.

 

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Websites:

The Irish Memorial– A National Monument at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia  – This site contains pictures of the Memorial as well as its history.  This is a great place a family trip or a class field trip!

 

Digital History– the Irish Potato Famine – This site contains a clear and concise explanation of the famine and the immigration to America.

The Irish Potato Famine – This site is an animated interactive tour of an Irish village during the potato famine.

The History Place– Irish Potato Famine – This site contains detailed information about all aspects of the famine. It has a good article on the trip to America and life in Ireland after the famine.

The Irish in America – This site is filled with facts about the Irish in America and their immigrant experience.

  Ellis Island – This is the official Ellis Island site. If contains information on immigration and a great photo album. It also contains information about visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

 

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Nonprint Resources:

Nonprint, videos, CDs, etc. available from The Burlington County Library System.

 

Out of Ireland (video recording) - 1 videocassette (111 min.) Examines the lives and the history of the seven million Irish who emigrated to America in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including the causes of the exodus and the immigrant experience in the United States.

 

Irish folktales for Children (CD) - by Sharon Kennedy. Listen to Irish folksongs that were written for Irish children your age.

 

Ellis Island (CD) - by the Irish Tenors. Folk and popular songs about Ireland.

 

Nory Ryan’s Song (audio cassette) - by Patricia Reilly Giff. When a terrible blight attacks Ireland's potato crop in 1845, twelve-year-old Nory Ryan's courage and ingenuity help her family and neighbors survive.

Discoveries…Ireland: a Celtic Treasure (DVD) - Learn what it would be like to visit Ireland on a vacation today.

In search of Ancient Ireland  (DVD) - A vivid portrait of the island nation's remarkable past and enduring impact on Western civilization.

 

 

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Teacher Resources:

 

        New Jersey Department of Education– Core Curriculum standards - This link takes you to Standard 6.4 of the Core Curriculum standards.

 

The Great Famine – This site has information on Genocidal Studies. While this guide is intended for secondary educators, it provides interesting background on the famine as genocide.

 

  World Newspapers – This site has a comprehensive list of Irish Newspapers. A great site for current events in Ireland.

 

Famine Projects - This site links to Teacher pages containing class projects about the famine. There are facts about potatoes and even a famine soup recipe.

 

 

 

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By Lisa Bakanas

Reference Resources and Services I, Spring 2007

Updated: 4/23/2007