Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has officially launched 'Ulster American Treasures: The Migration Story', the latest publication from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), marking another milestone in the USA-NI250 initiative.

The new book documents, showcases, and commemorates the historic stories and lasting contributions of Ulster settlers to the creation of the United States of America, ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Speaking after the launch event at City Hall, Minister Lyons said: "This book tells an incredible story, one that is still largely untold on both sides of the Atlantic. I want to shine a light on those who left Ulster and left an enduring imprint on the foundation of the United States.

"Stories like that of Charles Thomson from Maghera, County Londonderry – Secretary to the Continental Congress, whose name appeared on the first printing of the Declaration of Independence alongside John Hancock, and who co-designed the Great Seal of the United States, still in use today.

"And John Dunlap of County Tyrone, who printed the first copies of the Declaration and later wrote to his family in Strabane: 'There is no place in the world where a man meets so rich a reward for good conduct and industry as in America.' These pioneers were not footnotes – they were the foundation. "While history often highlights famous names, the fuller story belongs to the thousands of ordinary people, farmers, tradesmen, teachers, clergy and families, whose courage built settlements and communities across America. Their letters and diaries still speak powerfully of their values, hopes, and hardships."

The archival documents chosen for the publication have been curated from PRONI's extensive collections to illustrate a wide array of themes related to migration over the past two and a half centuries. The recorded memories cover a diverse spectrum of experiences, including the perilous trials of ocean crossings, the difficulties and opportunities encountered when seeking work, and major historical turning points such as the American Revolutionary War, the US Civil War, and the Great Famine.

The Minister concluded: "The book is not simply about looking back. It is about the next chapter. It's about seeking to embrace and embed opportunities to promote the deep-rooted connections between Northern Ireland and the USA for the benefit of us all today."

US Consul General James Applegate said: "Over the coming weeks, Americans will be reflecting on the pioneers who shaped our fledging republic as part of our Freedom 250 celebrations. Fifty years before our war of Independence, no less than a quarter of a million emigrants left this corner of Ireland in pursuit of freedom and a better, more prosperous future. PRONI's Ulster American Treasures: The Migration Story tells the story of those people.

"The work that Minister Lyons and his Department have done in bringing our shared history to life has been nothing short of phenomenal. The Minister's efforts both here and in the United States have made a significant impact that far transcends a celebration of culture and kinship. For as deeply rooted as it is in our shared history, the relationship between the United States and Northern Ireland is also thoroughly modern."