President Obama's Irish Ancestry

I’ve often wondered whether it's an essential requirement for an American president to have Irish ancestry.

This week, President Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama and her two daughters, Malia Ann and Sasha were told about his Irish ancestry.

Eneclann have researched it back to Obama’s 7th great-grandfather, Joseph Kearney, born around 1698. He lived to the age of 93 and was buried 20 January 1791 in Shinrone, Co. Offaly, Ireland. 

It was his great grandson, Joseph, born around 1794 that emigrated  to America. More information with links to the Kearney family tree and the Benn family tree.

They've even talked to Barack's 3rd cousin 3 times removed, Tom Donovan, and 5th cousin once removed, Dick Benn.

I wonder whether other members of the family worked in or migrated to the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Castles Quiz Results

Entries for our prize quiz of jumbled up Scottish Castle names closed on 31 May.

There were just 13 entries but only 5 were completely correct.

We feel our quiz was a big success, and our thanks go to all those who sold quiz entry forms for us, including Dean & Simpson, Hawick; Taylors, the newsagents, Jedburgh; and at our Conference.

The winner lives in Duns, and has been sent a cheque for £10.

Those who provided an SAE have been sent the answers in the post, but for everybody else, you can download the Scottish Castles quiz answers.