Winner of the International Impact Book Award for Memoir (Distinguished Author)
Exploring Ancestry, Irish History, memory and healing across generations.
An inspiring true story of famine, family, immigration, and belonging that echoes powerfully across generations.
The book follows three generations of one family living as tenant farmers on twenty acres of boggy land in Ireland's County Mayo. The narrative draws on historical and family records, local research and an unconventional source: Andrea Hubert, an Irish medium. Through her, voices missing from records surfaced, often corroborated by family archives and historical facts. The result is a remarkable record of tenacity and courage previously lost to time.
I’ll tell you my ancestor’s story…what’s one memory of yours? Let’s share memories, explore our roots and learn from one another.
Welcome! My journey began, predictably enough, on Ancestry.com and unfolded slowly over the years through old photos, snippets of family stories, and family records. It always felt incomplete—just family tree squares with birth and death dates, and little chance of truly knowing the people and the lives lived between those dates.
Then a vivid dream changed everything.
I hope The Ground Between Us sparks an interest in your own ancestors, on whose shoulders you stand. I want this site to be a place where we can share family stories, explore our roots, and discover how the journeys of those who came before us continue to shape our lives.
Best, John F. Crotty
Meet the Author
Hi, I'm John.
For some time, I had wanted to write about my family's Irish ancestors, but I struggled with how to begin. Few family members remained who could tell their stories, and the records of their lives were only fragments. In 2024, I located the farm in County Mayo where generations of my ancestors had lived and worked. That discovery deepened my connection to their lives and strengthened my determination to write The Ground Between Us.
I am a student of history and have recently turned my attention to my own history as I retire from a long career in the international maritime industry. One thing has become clear to me: whether we are exploring world history or our own family histories, we encounter both profound suffering and great joy. Learning about our ancestors can help us piece together parts of our own identity, and, perhaps more importantly, begin a process of healing across generations. That has certainly been true for me.
I have always loved writing, especially memoir, which my publisher beautifully describes as "soul work". Over the years, I have published a handful of works, including essays that appeared in published collections and several independently published books. One of those books, Hey I'm Alive, was accepted into the Library of Congress collection. The Ground Between Us is my first major work of literary non-fiction, and I truly hope it inspires you to explore the stories within your own family.
I live in Ringwood, New Jersey, with my wife of 42 years, Dawn. We are fortunate that our children, Ryan and Meghan, along with Meghan's husband, Luis, live nearby and often join us for family dinners. We also share our home with two wonderful dogs, Ailish and Sissy Bear, who keep us laughing every day. When I'm not writing, I enjoy hiking, skiing, exploring the outdoors.
We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. I would love to hear a memory of yours, even just a few words. Please visit my "Tell me your story" page to share yours.
All the best and thank you for visiting.
John