Intermediate Irish Records

One of the most important source records that most genealogists use, but often concentrate too heavily on, are the vital records created upon introduction of civil registration in search countries. In Ireland this happened at two different times depending upon the type of record and the ecclesiastical division. The course will discuss civil registered record types of birth, marriage and death in post-1863 Ireland and Protestant marriage records which begin from 1845. 

In addition, the course will discuss the contents of these records, their availability, how the information documented has changed over time, the limitations and advantages of civil vital records, and effective research strategies for using this record type.

Probably no record group is more important to pre-civil registration research in a country than that of wills and estate administrations. The reason is, of course, because they, more than any other record, can provide both ancestral and/or descendancy accounts of family groupings. In Ireland this is no different, though we tend to see less documentation this way than in other countries due to the way personal and moveable property descended over time.

This course will address this record group, both pre-1858 before the system of administration changed, and post-1858 which is consistent to the present date. We will discuss the value of these records during both these time periods, develop some historical background to their development, examine the contents and availability of the records in both periods, as well as comment on some research strategies for using these collections. 

Often genealogists get frustrated with land and deed records because of the difficulty in their access and use. In addition, they fail to understand their indirect overall significance which is one of correlating and connecting members of family groups, pre-emigration identity, as well as parentage and origins of the emigrant. 

This course will discuss these issues and others of value in the use of this record group which begins primarily from, though not restricted to, 1708 in Ireland; the historical background of land tenure in Ireland; the general contents of these records and their availability; as well as strategies for effectively researching and accessing this record collection. 

Our journey will look at deeds, valuation surveys, records involving landed estates and encumbered estates, freehold records, land commission and registry records, as well as some special collections that exist though not easily or readily accessed, and some wonderful collections that precede 1708 dating from as early as the 12th century. Several examples will be discussed in detail; as well, an in-depth case study will be examined. 

Many of the sources referenced are available through FamilySearch. If you are not already familiar with the FamilySearch website or the FamilySearch Catalog, it is suggested that you become so as a great deal of your success with your research will be dependent upon use of their collections.  

An excellent record source that connects major life events of birth and death to known and unknown family members is transcriptions of tombstones or what are more globally known at ''monumental inscriptions'' and in Ireland, ''memorials of the dead''.  They often provide the only clues as to births and deaths of family members as they precede or out-survive other forms of primary and secondary source information. 

The course will discuss the value of these records, the time periods of their existence and use, an important review of the contents found in them as well as a discussion on their availability and access to them in, and outside of, Ireland.  In addition, we will seek to discuss and uncover some of the more indirect elements of monumental inscription understanding.  Several examples will be examined.  A case study will also be presented.

This course will provide you with an understanding of the importance of printed source collections when undertaking your genealogical research. Most genealogists and family historians do understand inherently the significance of all source materials for extracting genealogical information though often we forget that printed sources can supply some of the best pointers on family relationships, locations, occupations, and periods of residency. Printed sources can be contemporary to the period documented and thus often more reliable than later developed secondary sources for the same period. However, what is often realized early on with these records is that few of them are indexed in any comprehensive way and there tend to be large periods where even the printed sources themselves are not available. Often, these factors alone discourage us from using them in any comprehensive way with our developed search strategies. 

In Ireland, where many of the records have been destroyed or lost, what have survived are sporadic and incomplete. Contemporary-period printed sources by way of newspapers, directories, journals and local histories, occupational and society records often help establish human life events that may not be documented anywhere else. More importantly, however, for us genealogists and family historians, they act as pointers in our efforts to track other more significant primary and secondary sources of information connecting our families.

Apart from the sheer intrinsic enjoyment of reading historical newspapers, newspapers provide excellent vital statistical information, details on business ownership and locations of their owners, and in a more contemporary sense sometimes an advertisement will help you locate relatives, themselves, who may be able to assist you further with your search.  

Directories come in various forms and with Ireland this is no different. They tend to provide us with details on occupations, localities, and places of residence which will lead us to other vital sources.  

Printed journals and local histories frequently give us details on the political, economic and social fabric of communities and may even provide detailed relationships and life events for specific community members, though in Ireland this was often restricted to the prominent members of the community such as tradesmen, professionals, ecclesiastics, the gentry, and the nobility. 

Lastly, occupational and society records, not unlike directories, give us further leads as to occupations, apprenticeships, fraternities, localities, and relationships, but to name a few elements of information.  

The significance of all these records is not to be understated as some extend back to the mid-1600s with most, however, extending from the mid-1750s. This is a time which precedes, of course, Irish civil registration and many church records for most if not all ecclesiastical denominations in Ireland. These records supplement the will/probate records that, though they exist back to the 16th century, often only include the middle to upper echelons of Irish society.

This course will discuss these printed sources focussing on the various forms of printed sources available, what information they contain and their value, the challenges in accessing or using these records, locating these source records and discussing any available bibliographies, indexes, and abstracts that might exist.