WAY TO GO, JOE...

Genealogist finds evidence US President can trace his family history to Galway

- FERGHAL BLANEY

PRESIDENT Joe Biden may have cousins in Galway as well as Mayo and Louth, a genealogist has told the Irish Mirror.

Megan Smolenyak is "satisfied" one of his great, great grandfathers was born in the county in 1815, where it's believed some third cousins once removed are still living today.

She is one of the world's most respected Irish ancestry experts with her previous forensic research leading to Mr Biden finding long-lost relatives, the Blewitts in Mayo and Finnegans in Louth.

But now Ms Smolenyak, who has worked for the FBI, believes another branch of his family has been identified, the final Irish eighth.

She told the Irish Mirror the unique combination of "a paper trail and DNA" evidence has led her to believe the Galway cousins have a "satisfactory" case.

Ms Smolenyak said she had examined the connection with the Tribesmen before but went for a "deeper dive" before she "got lucky".