Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone who is Irish, descended from the Irish, or just wishes they could be Irish. I am lucky enough to be part Irish, and although I have always been proud of my ancestry this year it is especially meaningful. The reason is that just a few days ago I happened to meet a cousin of mine (specifically a third cousin in my maternal grandfather's family) and through an exchange of family history, I now have traced my Irish ancestors back over a thousand years!

Obviousl...