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Irish Genealogy
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.
Last updated 7th January 2008
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WEB ESSENTIALS |  Web update
| BOOKS & MAGAZINES - 'how to' introductions |
 | Tracing your family tree in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales : the complete practical handbook for all detectives of family history, by Kathy Chater. (2006).
With over 500 photographs and charts this well illustrated book is for the beginner and experienced searcher. Ireland is placed within the wider context, but it remains a worthwhile consultation for all that. The approach is practical, covering details of techniques and methods you might choose with a myriad of lists, checklists, and hints. It also covers tips on recording your data, and using the most methodical research techniques. |  | Irish migrants in New Zealand, 1840-1937 : 'the desired haven', by Angela McCarthy. (2005).
"A study of individual experiences of migration through personal correspondence of emigrants from Ireland to New Zealand". (publisher) This is more of an academic approach than the average granny hunter may expect but the appendix and bibliography are definitely worth a look through for new sources. |  | A genealogist's guide to discovering your Irish ancestors : how to find and record your unique heritage, by Dwight A. Radford and Kyle J. Betit. (2001).
Aimed at the beginning level to introduce the reader to coverage of Irish sources such as civil registrations, emigration lists, tax, estate and land records, military records, and cemetery, census, and church data includes the historical significance of the record types and what sort of information can be found within. It also has a useful section on locating Irish immigrants in other countries, including New Zealand which is helpful (many beginners assume you need to drive straight to Ireland but some non-Irish sources can provide valuable data.) (drawn from Amazon) |  | Irish records : sources for family and local history, by James G. Ryan. (1999).
The strength of this reference books is in the history on each county and parish, explaining in detail all the records available for research in those areas. Examples and pictures are provided of certain documents, and information is discussed on the meaning of each. |  | Tracing your Irish roots, by Christine Kinealy. (1999).
This slim volume packs in a lot of information helpful to the ancestor hunter, particularly focusing on parish registers, census returns, gravestone inscriptions, newspapers, and birth, death, and marriage certificates. Although getting a little dated now it does assume use of online records. A practical approach to finding family information. |
Trace your family tree, [writers, Jacinta Thomler & Craig Thomler ; editor, Ed Dawson]. (2006)
Although a general book, this includes sections on primary UK & Ireland sources and documents.
Tracing your Irish ancestors : the complete guide, by John Grenham. (1999)
Although a little dated, this falls into the "comprehensive" guide catagory and is therefore well worth a detailed perusal. (Reference)
The statistical atlas of England, Scotland and Ireland, , [edited] by G. Phillips Bevan. (1882)
A fascinating thematic atlas reflecting surveys on agriculture, crime, education, law, marine, military and naval, Poor Law and pauperism, politics, population, religion, etc.
To consult this book ask at the Second Floor Desk, Central Library. It cannot be borrowed. |
MAGAZINE
Irish Roots, (magazine).
Other family history magazines held by the library will also contain occasional articles relating to Irish genealogy.
| BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS etc |
These records were kept in the Parish Registers. [Note that the official parishes and registers are Church of Ireland, although the majority of the population was Roman Catholic.] Although centralised to the Public Records Office from 1876, some parishes with good storage facilities were allowed to retain their records, and others were copied before being sent. Alas, the Office was burned in 1922 which destroyed around half the unique parish registers which had been sent there. Therefore what records remain can be 'hit and miss'. Civil registration began in 1864. The index can be found as part of the International Genealogical Index.
When beginning, the simplest access for this is
a) via the free Church of the Latter Day Saints Family History Search Service. You can either just rely on the index, or go one step further to the actual register (which does contain more information).
b) via Irish Times Irish Ancestors search service. There is a cost to go beyond the index, but as long as you're careful with your search (not too general so that there are a lot of extraneous entries) this can prove to save a lot of time and be worth the investment.
1) The Representative Church Body Library is the Church of Ireland's principal repository for its archives and manuscripts, and holds records from some 830 parishes in the Republic of Ireland. They are not yet available online. More information on the Church Body library....
Individual clergy in parishes can still be contacted for some records.
ii) Records following 1864 if extant, will be at Office of the Registrar General, Joyce House, 8-11 Lombard Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
iii) Microfilms of Old Parish Registers ordered via the Family History Search Service (Church of Latter Day Saints, Hataitai). There is a small viewing cost to order the microfilm, but this is a viable way of tackling from a distance. To order you need to quote the film number .
More information, including family records for other denominations (including Roman Catholic)...
More common death sources are the cemetery transcription records, and wills, both of which are included in the Irish Times Irish Ancestors search service index.
Irish censuses for 1901 and 1911 may be examined at The National Archives in Bishop Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Earlier censuses were done but the records were destroyed in 1922.
Helpful census information is available from Fianna
 | HOT TIP
Because virtually no census information survives from the 19th century, one of the best substitutes is The Griffith's Valuation. Otherwise known as the Primary Valuation of Ireland, this was to determine the amount of tax each person should pay (based on the value of all privately held lands and buildings in rural as well as urban areas). It is, effectively, the only detailed guide to where in Ireland people lived in the mid-nineteenth century and what property they possessed or on which property they lived.
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The UK National Archives holds military papers for Irish soldiers. The best guide to navigate these records is a Fianna's Finding and Using Irish Military Records.
The surnames of Ireland, compiled by Edward MacLysaght(1969).
Essential reference source to track down name variations.
The library has several books on Irish first name and surnames - Irish name search.
Ireland Ordnance series maps compiled by the National Archive of Ireland.
Extensive range of fact sheets, to the various series.
Ireland's history in Maps
Excellent resource enabling searching by county/region etc but also linking with surnames.
Irish Land Records Fact Sheet, by Kyle Betit.
Modern maps of Ireland
Ships and passengers to New Zealand.
Excellent site with many further helpful links.
White Wings, by Henry Brett. (1924). 2 vols.
If you're looking for more details about the ship and voyages, then this is a great starting place. Most ships have a photograph, and approximately one page of information.
More information can be found on our Early Shipping page featuring books from our Stack. Particularly The colonial clippers.
| ESSENTIAL IRISH WEB LINKS |
Remember! A huge amount of the WWW is American. Bear this in mind when subscribing to some sites which advertise the ability to search zillions of international names.
FamilySearch, includes both Ireland and Northern Island.
Ireland on GENUKI
As well as national family history resources, provides county level access.
Irish origins
Features the definitive version of Griffith's Primary Valuation of Ireland records and maps, the most important Irish genealogy research source prior to the 20th century, as well as the one-of-a-kind Irish Wills Index (1484-1858), the 1851 Dublin City Census, Irish Royal Garrison Artillery Records....
GoIreland
Ireland's National Tourism Service. A good starting place now with some searching possible.
National Archives of Ireland
Cyndi's List for Ireland and northern Ireland
Major internet directory.
The best overall genealogical website directory.
Irish Family History Foundation
Irish Genealogical Society, Int'l
Irish Genealogy Centre
Irish Genealogy
The Church of Ireland
Irish Family History Centres.
With much of the information still decentralized, this site assists in finding your way around the regions.
Genealogical abbreviations.
Not specifically Irish, but an excellent site to aid your deciphering!
http://www.libraryireland.com/
LibraryIreland.com is a fantastic free information resource on Irish antiquities, biography, genealogy, history (general, local and social), literature, etc
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