Harney or O'Harney? That is the Question...

So a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my Auntie Shirley about genealogy.  We began talking about her dad's line of genealogy, which I always thought was a German line.  However, Auntie Shirley gave me a new insight.

According to Auntie Shirley, her father's line is actually Irish.  During the potato famine, the family moved to Germany and tried to assimilate with their new country.  They began speaking German and living the German lifestyle.  By the time they immigrated to America, they considered themselves German.

I've never heard of the Irish moving to Germany during the Potato Famine, but it could certainly be a possibility.  I haven't done much research on this line once they are in Germany, so I don't know if this story is true or not.

Now I have an entirely new angle to persue - and I am certainly excited at the possibilities.