EPIC Emigration Museum reveal details of Taylor Swift's Irish ancestry

Ahead of her Eras Tour stop in Dublin later this month, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has uncovered details of Taylor Swift’s ancestral ties to Ireland.

Alongside genealogy partners The Irish Family History Centre, EPIC revealed that the pop superstar is a descendant of Susan Davis and Francis Gwynn. The couple met while traversing the Atlantic aboard the Amy, which set sail from Derry on June 11, 1836.

Dubbed ‘The Love Story Before Love Story’, Davis, a 21-year-old dressmaker and Gwynn, a 21-year-old weaver, are said to have fallen in love during their two month voyage, before settling in Philadelphia, where they married and raised a family of six children.

Gwnn established a successful soap-making business, and the family prospered. Their life was also touched by tragedy, with five of the children predeceasing their parents.

Only one, Mrs. Mary Douglas (née Gwynn), Taylor Swift’s great-great-great-grandmother, outlived her parents.

“The tale of Susan Davis and Francis Gwynn beautifully exemplifies the interconnectedness of family history and global narratives,” said Fiona Fitzsimons, Director at the Irish Family History Centre. “Their journey is not just a personal love story, but a testament to the resilience and courage of countless Irish emigrants.”

 

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The above tale is not the only account of Swifts’ Irish heritage. The singer’s great-great-grandfather, George Findlay, enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1866. He was posted on the HMS Flora in South Africa, and met widow Emma Maria Whiffin, who accompanied him back to the UK.

In 1875 their son George was born in Southampton, but they separated shortly after. Findlay later married Louisa Anna Darling in Grangegorman in 1880, recording himself as a bachelor despite his previous relationship.

The Irish Family History Centre uncovered that the Findlay family had an artisan background and were members of the Hosier’s guild in Dublin for at least three generations.

“In tracing Taylor Swift’s roots back to 1836, EPIC exemplifies its vital role in preserving the rich tapestry of our past, ensuring that each individual thread contributes to the vibrant narrative of our collective history," Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC, commented. "As audiences prepare to witness Taylor's performances in Ireland, we invite visitors to visit and experience the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland, and how they influenced and shaped the world.”