                Finding the Origin of Your Ancestors in Ireland
                                 Roberta Gaynor


I. Learn everything possible about the immigrant and his family from North 
American records.  It is nearly impossible to trace ancestors without first 
knowing the place of origin in Ireland.  You will want to have search every 
possible source for clues as to this place of origin before you begin 
research in Irish records.  If you do this it will greatly improve your 
chance of success in doing Irish research.
     a. vital records (family records - old letters)
     b. obituaries 
     c. church records
     d. land records
     e. naturalization records
     f. immigration records
     g. military records
     h. court records 
     i. counties or local histories
     j. probate records
     k. census records

II. Facts to keep in mind:
     a. there were no exact sailing schedules as late as 1850.  This 
resulted in some people moving for a short time to a seaport town.  Main 
seaports towns are: Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and Waterford.
     b. Many small ships took people to England (especially Liverpool) to 
await a larger ship going to America.  Some people may have remained in 
England for a short period.
     c. Place names may have been misheard, mispelled, or misquoted.
     d. traditions may be entirely incorrect.
     e. emigrants often moved in groups.  If you cannot get the place of 
origin for your ancestor, trace one or more of the families who might have 
moved with him or lived near him.  They often stayed near each other after 
settling in North America.
     f. Few emigration records exist for people leaving Ireland.  There are 
no official records for emigration from Ireland to North America prior to 
1815.  Your best source would be United States or Canadian immigration 
records.
     g. History is important because conditions in certain parts of the 
country (Ireland) might have been causes for emigration.

III. If, after exhausting all American records, you have not determined the 
place of origin in Ireland, there are several general indexes for Iteland 
which could be consulted.
     a. Civil Registration. 1845-present. Genealogical Society.
     b. Surname Index to Tithe Applotment Records (c. 1830). Ireland.
     c. Surname Index to the Valuation Records (c. 1850-55. Ireland.
     d. Registry of Deeds, Surname Index, 1708-1904. Genealogical Society.
     e. Probate Indexes.  These are not always for the entire country but 
rather for ecclesiastical areas and may be found useful in locating 
residence.  Genealogical Society.
     f. general books about Irish surnames. Genealogical Society.
     g. Index to the Collections at the Genealogical Office in Dublin. 
Genealogical Society.
     h. Index to the Collections at the Public Record Office in Belfast. 
Genealogical Society.

IV. Determine the jurisdiction of your place in Ireland in as much detail 
as possible.  The following jurisdictions will -all- be important andshould 
be determined:
     a. Province - there are four provinces in Ireland consisting of 
several counties each.  They are: Ulster, Leinster, Connaught, and Munster.
     b. County - there are 32 counties in Ireland.  There are two counties 
that have changed their names, Leix or Laoighis or Laois formerly Queen's 
County and Offoly (Ua Failghe) formerly King's County.
     c. Barony - the barony is usually an area of land within a county.  It 
is based on old tribal jurisdictions.  There are 325 baronies.
     d. Diocese - this is an ecclesiastical division. Ther are 28 dioceses 
for the Church of Ireland.  The boundary of each diocese does not always 
correspond to the counties boundaries.
     e. Parish - this is a smaller division of diocese.  It can contain 
several towns or cities or there may be many parishes in a large city.  
There were 2,447 parishes in Ireland.
     f. City and/or town - this is civil jurisdiction.
     g. Townland - these are small parcels of land which sometimes 
represent small farms or acreage.  There are about 60,000 of them.

V. For additional information, there are several printed works.
     a. Margaret Dickson Falley. "Irish and Scotch-Irish Ancestral 
Research", 2 volumes, 1961-62.
     b. Wallace Clare, "A Simple Guide to Irish Genealogy", 3rd edition, 
1966.
     c. Patrick Henchy, "Irish Emigration to North America for the Past 
Three Centuries", World Conference on Records Paper, 1969.
     d. Heraldic Artists Ltd., "Handbook on Irish Genealogy", 1973.

Jurisdictions can be determined by using the following reference books:
     - "1871 Census Alphabetical Index to the Towns and Townlands of 
Ireland", 1877.  Excellent and most useful Irish reference book.  It lists 
each townland alphabetically and gives the parish, county, and barony for 
each one.  There is also an alphabetical index by parish and barony. Very 
helpful.
     - "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland", by Samuel Lewis, 1837.  Gives 
details on parishes.
     - "County Maps of Ireland, Showing Civil and Catholic Parishes and 
Baronies", prepared by the National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
     - "Special Report on Surnames in Ireland, Together with Varieties and 
Synonymes and Christian Names in Ireland" by Sir Robert E. Matheson, 
Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1968.  This book should be checked 
to determine the different spellings and variations of surnames.

Additional references:
     "A Simple Guide to Irish Genealogy" compiled by Rev. Wallace Clare, 
1937, 3rd edition, revised by Rosemary Follitt, 1966, Irish Genealogical 
Research Society, c/o The Irish Club, 82 Eaton Square, London, SW 1.
     "Irish and Scotch Irish Ancestral Research" by Margaret Dickson 
Falley. 2 vols, Strasbourg, Virginia, 1962.
     "A History of Ireland", Edmund Curtis, 1936.

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                     IRISH LAND AND PROBATE RECORDS 
                             Roberta Gaynor


LAND RECORDS

A. Registry of Deeds

1. It was established for the protection of the purchases of land.  It 
began recording deeds 25 March 1708 and continues to the present.  The 
Registry is housed at: Registry of Deeds; Henrietta Street; Dublin 
Ireland.

2. The records contain deeds of sale, mortgages, transfer leases, 
conveyances, and sometimes wills.

3. There are two index series to these records.  The Names Index to 
Grantors (Seller) and the Lands Index.  The LDS Genealogical Society has 
both of these on microfilm.

4. The LDS Genealogical Society also has what is called "Transcript of 
Memorials of Deeds" on microfilm.  These are detailed abstracts of the 
original documents.

B. Estate Records

1. Most of the land in Ireland was held by large land owners.  The 
records of their estates can be very helpful.

2. These records contain the following typed documents: Rent Rolls, 
leases, rent ledgers, maps, wage books, land agents, notebooks, etc.

3. A few estate records are available at LDS Genealogical Society.  Many 
at Public Record Offices in Dublin and Belfast.  Many are still in local 
custody.  "Analecta Hibernica" Volumes 15, 20, and 25 (941.5 B2ah) 
contains a "Survey of Documents in Private Keeping".

C. Griffith's Valuation (1848-68).  This was a survey made by the 
government to determine the amount of tax that each rate should pay to 
support the upkeep of the poor.  Arranged  by Poor Law Union it lists 
the following information: name of lessor, each occupies or tenant, 
townland or city, parish, holdings and tax.  These are all available at 
LDS Genealogical Society.  The National Library of Ireland has prepared 
a surname index arranged by parish and county.

                                  ****



PROBATE RECORDS (from Paul F. Smart)

I. 1536 to 1858 -- Wills were probated in one of two ecclesiastical 
jurisdictions: Perogative (covers all Ireland) or Diocesan (one for each 
of the 28 dioceses). Many of these wills were destroyed, but some useful 
material is still extant.

     A. Perogative Court of Armagh
          1. Original and printed indexes 1536-1858 (LDS-GS)
          2. Scattered few original wills, 18th century (LDS-GS)
          3. Betham's Abstracts of Wills, pre-1800 (LDS-GS)
          4. Betham & Burke's Will Pedigrees, pre-1800 (LDS-GS)

     B. Diocesan Courts (Consistory Courts)
          1. Original and printed indexes, 1536-1858 (LDS-GS)
          2. Some few original wills, late 18th century (LDS-GS)
          3. Various types of copies of wills are being collected by the 
             Public Record Office in Dublin.  They have a card index to 
            these copies and have a large collection of substitutes for 
            the missing wills.  If a will is found in a diocesan index, 
            an inquiry should be sent to the Public Record Office, Front 
            Courts, Dublin, Eire.

II. 1858 onwards -- these wills are probated by civil courts.  There 
were twelve of these courts.  These courts turned in copies of their 
wills to the Public Record Office; and, thus, most of them were 
destroyed up to about 1904.  In many cases, however, the district 
registries kept copies and these exist today.

There is a general index to wills and administrations proved in the 
"Principal Probate Registry" and in the "Several District Registries," 
1858-1920 at the LDS Genealogical Society.  Most of the original wills 
before 1904 were destroyed, especially for the Principal Registry in 
Dublin.  Copies exist for the eleven District Registries, 1858 to about 
1890 at the LDS Genealogical Society.  In cases where it appears no 
wills exist, inquiries should be made to the Public Record OFfice in 
Dublin as in the case of the Diocesan Courts above.  

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         Irish Census Records and Substitutes for Missing Censuses
                              Roberta Gaynor



I. Background

Religious census returns for certain places were taken in the 18th Century 
(c. 1740-66).  These were some of the first census returns in Ireland and 
some still survive today.  However, the first complete census returns were 
taken in 1813.  This enumeration was followed by others in 1821, 1831, and 
every ten years thereafter until 1911.  Most of these census returns have 
been destroyed.  The 1901 census is the first complete census in existance 
today.  Although many of the census records were destroyed, there are some 
substitutes that may be helpful.


II.  Content ( available censuses only)

A. Religious censuses (1740-66) vary in their details, but may include the 
heads of households, parish by parish, and indicate their religion; or may 
give statistics only.  Some returns are available for Dioceses such as 
Ardagh, Armagh, Clogher, Cloyne, Connor, Cork, Derry, Dromore, Down, 
Elphin, Ferns, Kildare, Kilmore, Ossory, Raphoe and Ross.

B. 1821 Census  gives names of inhabitants, relation to head, ages, 
occupations, and information about the house and property.  Some returns 
are available for parishes A-M, County Gavan; A-D, County Offaly; A-R, 
Fermanagh; A-L, Galway; A-T, Meath.

C. 1831 Census gives names of inhabitants, relation to head, ages, 
occupations, and information about the house and property.  Some returns 
are available for the following parishes in Londonderry County: Agevey, 
Aghanloo, Arboe, Artrea, Benagher, Glendermot, Killowen, Macosquin, 
Tamlaght-Finlagen, Templemore, and Termoneeny.

D. 1841 Census gives names of inhabitants, ages, sex, relation to head, 
marital condition, year of marriage, occupation and birthplace (country, 
county, or city).  The only return available is for Killeshandra Parish, 
County Cavan. 

E. 1851 Census gives the same information as the 1841 plus a list of those 
people belonging to the family that are not present (including their names, 
ages, sex, relation to head, present occupation, and country, county, or 
city of current residence) and a list of those family members who died 
while residing with the family during the last 10 years (including names, 
age, sex, relation to head, occupation, season and year of death).  Returns 
are available for Drumkeeran, County Fermanagh and the following parishes 
in County Antrim: Aghagallon, Aghalee, Ballinderry, Ballymoney,  
Carncartle, Craigs (Ahoghill), Dunaghy, Grange of Killyglen, Killead, 
Kilwaughter, Larne, Rasharkin, and Tickmacreevin.

F. 1901 Census gives name of inhabitants, relation to head, religion, age, 
sex, occupation, marital condition, birthplace (country, county, or city), 
information on house and property including the name of the lease holder.  
This census is available in its entirety.

G. 1911 census gives same information as the 1901 plus the number of years 
married, total number of children born alive, and number of children still 
living. This census is also entirely available.


III.  Availability

A. Most of the existing census records are on film at the Genealogical 
Society up to 1901.  For the 1911 census, only parts of County Antrim are 
at the Genealogical Society.

B. In Ireland, these records are found at the Public Record Offices in 
Belfast and Dublin and the Genealogical Office in Dubin. 


IV. Substitutes

A. "Old Age Pensioner's Claims" (1841-51).  In 1908 the Old Age Pension Act 
was passed and with this act came the need for proof of age.  In many 
instances, census returns of 1841 and 1851 were used.  In some cases, 
actual extracts are available for these censuses.  In most cases, Old Age 
Pension Search Forms are all that survive.  These search forms ask for the 
claimant's name, father, mother, exact address when census was taken, age 
in census, age at claim, and census year for which the search is requested. 
These records exist primarily for Northern Ireland and most are on film at 
the Genealogical Society. 

B. "Tithe Applotment Books" (1823-38).  This record provides a detailed 
account, parish by parish, of the land occupiers in each townland and 
includes the extent and value of their individual farms.  Those in urban 
aras are not included.  The Tithe Applotment Books for all of Ireland are 
on microfilm at the Genealogical Society.  Indexes for these records are 
available at the Public Record Offices in Belfast and the National Library 
in Dublin.

C. Griffith's Valuation (1848-64).  This government survey of all privately 
held lands and buildings was taken to determine the amount of tax that each 
person should pay toward support of the poor and destitute in each Poor Law 
Union.  All occupiers or tenants, and the immediate lessors of all lands, 
buildings, etc. for private or business use were liable for the tax.  In 
some areas, these valuations start in 1839; but the majority exist from 
1848-64.  Such information as the name of tenants, lessor, townland, 
parish, and tax will be found on these records.  They exist for all of 
Ireland and for the most part are available at the Genelogical Society.  An 
index by surname by parish and county is available at the National Library 
of Ireland in Dublin.

D. School Records (c. 1850-1920).  These are primarily records of public 
schools and include names of pupils, ages, religion, days absent or 
present, occupation of parents, residence of family, and the name of the 
school.  Sometime the name of the county and school last attended may be 
given or the cause of withdrawal and destination of the pupil.  Most of 
these records are indexed and are at the Public Record Office in Dublin and 
Belfast or the Genealogical Office in Dublin.  The Genealogical Society has 
microfilmed many of those available from Northern Ireland.
  
********************************************************************

                           Irish Church Records 
                              Roberta Gaynor

I. Background

1541     Henry VIII becomes King of Ireland
1560     Episcopalian Church becomes state Church of Ireland under Elizabeth I 
1605-9   Ulster plantation.  Many Scotch Irish Presbyterians into Ulster.
1619     Earliest known Church of Ireland Parish Registers (St. John, Dublin).
1634     Law passed requiring Episcopalian registers to be kept.
mid1600  Quakers, Congregationalists, Baptists start movements.
1674     Oldest known Presbyterian Registers (Antrim, Co. Antrim)
1695     Penal Laws against Catholics
1703     More penal laws.  Catholics forbidden to keep registers.
1750s    Some urban Catholic registers start.  Many Episcopalian registers 
         begin.  Methodist movement gets underway.
1800-1   Ireland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
         Ireland.
1819     Presbyterian records required to be kept.
1829     Emancipation of Catholics.  Many Catholic records begin.
1871     Disestablishment of the Church of Ireland.
1876     Law passed requiring Anglican registers be turned into the Public 
         Record Office in Dublin.
1878     Law of 1876 amended allowing those with suitable storage facilities 
         to retain their records.
1922     Separate records repositories set up for Northern Ireland.  Public 
         Records Office at Four Courts, Dublin is burned.  Many Episcopalian 
         records destroyed.

II. Content

A. Christenings and/or births: name, christening and/or birth place 
         and date, parents' names, including mothers maiden names (Church of 
         Ireland records do not give maiden names), residence and occupation, 
         witnesses or sponsors.
B. Marriages: name of both parties, date and place of marriage, residence of 
         both parties, witnesses.
C. Burials: names, burial place and date, residence and age, parents' names 
         (usually only for infants).

III. Availability

A. Church of Ireland (Episcopalian) About 50 percent of these records are 
         extant today as many were destroyed in 1922.  Many Northern Ireland 
         parishes never sent theirs in.  Records usually begin about 1750-
         1800.  A fairly complete listing of those registers now extant and 
         their place of deposit will be found in Falley's book.
         1. Most records are in local custody.  (See "Crockford's Clerical       
         Directory" for addresses.)
         2. Some records or transcripts are available at the Public Record 
         Offices, Fourt Courts, Dublin, Eire; and Law Courts Building, May 
         Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
         3. LDS Genealogical Society has some printed copies.
B. Roman Catholic.  Records from about 1750, with most starting about 1830, 
         are all extant.  Many of these records are in Latin.
         1. Originals are in local custody.  (See any good Catholic directory 
         for addresses.)
         2. Microfilm copies of originals, except those from Dublin Diocese, 
         are on film at the National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, 
         Dublin, Eire. Access to these records is only through the staff at 
         the Genealogical Office.,  Inquiries should be addressed to the Chief 
         Herald, Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Eire.
         3. LDS Genealogical Society is obtaining copies of those records at 
         the National Libraty.
C. Presbyterian.  Records generally start about 1800 and all are extant.  A 
         fairly complete listing will be found in Falley's book.
         1. Originals are mostly in local custody with some of the very early 
         ones at the Presbyterian Historial Society, Church House, Fisherwick 
         Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Addresses of ministers may also be 
         obtained from the above named organization,.
         2. Some microfilm copies are available at the Public Record Office in 
         Belfast.
         3. LDS Genealogical Society has some printed copies.
D. Society of Friends.  Records date from c.1670 and are  quite good.
         1. Records and indexes from Eire are housed at the Friends House 
         Library, 6 Eustace Street, Dublin.  (See "Guide to Irish Quaker 
         Records" by Olive C. Goodbody.)
         2. Records and indexes for Northern Ireland are at the Friends' 
         Meeting House, Railway Stret, Lisburn. 
         3. LDS Genealogical Society has many transcript copies of the 
         original records arranged in alphabetical order.
E. Methodist (Wesleyan).  Records exist after 1878.  Before that time, 
         Methodists were mostly recorded in the Church of Ireland or 
         Presbyterian registers.  Methodist records after 1878 are in local 
         custody.
F. Other Denominations (Baptists, Congregationalists).  Many of these groups 
         came to Ireland about 1640 as soldiers with Cromwell.  Records are 
         generally in local custody.

NOTE:  An excellent guide to Irish Church records is Margaret Dickson Falley's 
"Irish and Scoth-Irish Ancestral Research". 

********************************************************************

                           Irish Civil Registration
                                Roberta Gaynor

I. On 1 April 1845, the registering of Protestant (non-Catholic) marriages 
began in Ireland,  Nineteen years later, 1 January 1864,the registering of all 
births, marriages, and deaths became mandatory.  As in England, Ireland was 
divided into Registration Districts, each of which was under the supervision 
of a Superintendant registrar.  These registrars took down the information and 
sent a copy to the Registrar General.  The family could also purchase a copy 
of the certificate.  In 1922, when six ofthe counties of Ulster voted to 
remain with the United Kingdom, two registries were established.

II. Content of the records
     A. Births
          Name (if given); when and where born including sex; father's name, 
          surname, occupation and residence; mother's name including maiden 
          surname; informant's signature, qualificiation, and residence; 
          baptismal name and date if added after registration of birth.
     B. Marriages
          Names of both parties; marriage date and place;  age of both parties 
          (sometimes "full" etc); marital status, occupation, and residence of 
          both parties; name and occupation of the father of the bride and 
          groom; denomination performing the marriage; signature of both 
          parties and witnesses.
     C. Deaths
          Name nad surname; when and where died; sex, age, and marital 
          condition; occupation (varies with age and sex of deceased); cause 
          of death and duration of illness; informant's signature, 
          qualification and residence.

III. Availability
     A. The certificate and indexes for Protestant marriages 1845-64; all 
     births, marriages, and deaths of Ireland 1864-1922; and births, 
     marriages, and deaths of the Republic of IReland 1922-present are with 
     the Registrar General in Dublin.  All inquiries should be addressed to:

                    The Registrar General
                    Custom House
                    Dublin C.10 Eire

     B. The certificate and indexes for all births, marriages, and deaths for 
     Northern Ireland (includes the six counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, 
     Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone) from 1922 to the present are with the 
     Registrar General in Belfast.  All inquiries should be addressed to:

                    The Registrar General
                    Central Register Office
                    Fermanagh House
                    Ormeau Avenue 
                    Belfast, BT2 8HK
                    Northern Ireland

     C. The LDS Genealogical Society has microfilm copies of the following:

          Area                Record    Indexes        Certificates

          All Ireland          B        1864-1921      1864-Mar 1881,
                               B                       1900-1913    
                               M        1845-1921      1845-1870
                               D        1864-1921      1864-1870
          Republic of Ireland  B        1922-1958      1930-1955
                               M        1922-1958      none    
                               D        1922-1958      none
          Northern Ireland     B        1922-1959      1922-1959
                               M        1922-1959      1922-1959
                               D        1922-1959      1922-1959

IV. Peculiarities
     A. Indexes and certificates  were kept on an annual basis until 1878.  
     Beginning with 1878, both indexes and certificates were kept on a 
     quarterly basis.
     B. There are supplemental volumes of births, deaths, and marriages up to 
     1870.  These are arranged at random by registration district.
     C. Superintendent Registrars may or may not give out copies of 
     certificates.  They are generally moere willing in Northern Ireland.
     D. Many births in Ireland may be listed as just "male" or "female" with 
     the surname.  A person may be given one given name at birth and another 
     at the christening.,  Use caution in searching the indexes.
     E. Surnames are problems because of accents dialects, and spelling      
     errors.  Again use caution in the indexes.  Watch for all variations.



                                   ****

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