In no country, more than Ireland, is it imperative that one understands some of the local history, past machination of records, and knowledge of what source records have been created versus what is available.
This course will discuss the importance of preliminary research in one’s home country and then provide a brief history of Ireland which is useful, if not imperative, in understanding the nature and value of record sources within Ireland. From here, the discussion will be what genealogical records can tell us, with brief overviews of the administrative (civil and ecclesiastical) divisions within the island, and a discussion on Irish place names and family names.
The course will conclude with a brief discussion on the types of records available for research in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (Eire), the importance of understanding maps for the region, and migration patterns.
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Understanding Ireland
Research Needs Before Ireland
MODULE 2
BASIC PRINCIPLES & REPOSITORIES FOR GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
Genealogical Research Criteria
Basic Research Principles
MODULE 3
IRISH PLACE & FAMILY NAMES
Place & Locality Names
Family & Personal Names
MODULE 4
HISTORICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Civil Divisions
Ecclesiastical Divisions
Additional Resources
MODULE 5
BRIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF IRELAND
Introduction to Irish History
Additional Resources
MODULE 6
SOURCE RECORDS
Source Types
Census & Census Substitutes
Parish Church Records
Commercial, Social, & Professional Directories
Family History Genealogies & Journals
Monumental (Gravestone) Inscriptions
Newspapers
Wills, Last Testaments, & Administrations
Miscellaneous Sources
APPENDIX
This course presents an overview of the archival and repository centres throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for conducting Irish research. Emphasis is on available records and those held by FamilySearch and other repositories.
We discuss the types of records available at various repositories, their availability, and how to access the source records, online and on-site.
This course builds on preliminary content discussed in the Irish: Understanding Ireland, History and Source Records course.
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO REPOSITORIES
Introduction
Research Challenges
Research & Preparation
Recommended Video
Recommended Reading
MODULE 2
ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES & OTHER REPOSITORIES
Background Information
Republic of Ireland
FamilySearch
Recommended Reading
MODULE 3
ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES & OTHER REPOSITORIES …Continued
Introduction
Britain
Northern Ireland
MODULE 4
RELIGIOUS ARCHIVES
Roman Catholic Church
Church of Ireland
Quaker Church
Presbyterian Church
Methodist Church
Judaism
Huguenots
Baptist Church
Recommended Reading
APPENDIX
The loss of historical census records for Ireland has been devastating. Many censuses still exist; however, they are neither comprehensive nor fully extant.
This course discusses the importance of census records and their availability for locality and time period. Also discussed are the various census forms and census substitutes (1630-present) which exist for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Various government surveys—of land and people—which act as census substitutes in the absence of censuses are included.
Course Content
MODULE 1
IRISH CENSUS & SUBSTITUTE RECORDS
Introduction
Searching Census Records
Government Population Census Schedules
Census Indexes
MODULE 2
19TH & 20TH CENTURY CENSUS
Omissions from the National Archives of Ireland Website
Online Search Tips
MODULE 3
CENSUS SUBSTITUTE RECORDS
Introduction to Census Substitute Records
Old Age Pension Claims
Taxation Books
Recommended Reading
MODULE 4
CENSUS SUBSTITUTE RECORDS...Continued
Other Valuation Records
Other 18th & 19th Century Records
20th Century Records
MODULE 5
CENSUS SUBSTITUTE RECORDS…Continued
Religious Censuses
MODULE 6
CENSUS SUBSTITUTE RECORDS...Continued
Directories
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The course examines the differences between the various forms of church (parish) records in Ireland and in particular between the conformist records of the Church of Ireland and those ecclesiastical institutions which did not conform to the standards of the day.
We will discuss time periods, historical backgrounds, contents of records, availability of records, access to these important record collections, and effective research procedures. Emphasis will be primarily on pre-1864 research problems in Ireland where parish registers should be used as major sources of information. These contain vital genealogical elements such as baptism/christening, marriage and death/burial entries. When used with records such as wills and deeds, parish registers can help build fairly complete family groupings.
We will also touch on the extensive collection of marriage licenses (1629-1864) and comment on their historical background, contents, value, and availability to researchers.
Course Content
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Church Records
Locating Church Records
CHURCH OF IRELAND RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MODULE 2
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MODULE 3
Websites
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
Abbreviations & Latin Terms
METHODIST CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MODULE 4
QUAKER CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
JEWISH CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MODULE 5
HUGUENOT CHURCH REGISTERS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MODULE 6
BAPTIST CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MORAVIAN CHURCH RECORDS
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Further Reading
MARRIAGE LICENSES (1629-1864)
Marriages
SUMMATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY