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Course image Research: Irish Ancestors
Intermediate Electives
EL-IR-209: Research: Irish Ancestors
Course Summary:

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Irish Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is an introduction to the first two centuries of family history research in Ireland, covering both Northern Ireland, which remains part of Britain, and the Republic of Ireland, independent since 1922. Emphasis is on conducting research from home, rather than merely covering the resources available in Ireland. Irish records are available worldwide if you know where to look, and this course discusses where they are and how to utilize them.

Difficulties inherent in Irish research, key items in Irish history and geography, and to emigration (the Irish Diaspora) are included. Original sources covered are civil registration, census (including substitutes where these are lacking), church registers, and probate. These are followed with discussions of the usefulness of occupational records and locating research already done or in progress. 


Contact Hours: 12
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 4

Course Content

MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Irish Research

  • How difficult is Irish research?
Irish History
  • Emigration
Irish Geography
  • Administrative Subdivisions
  • County Index Maps
Module 1 Course Assignments
MODULE 2
CIVIL REGISTRATION
Introduction to Civil Registration
  • Availability of Civil Registration
  • Yearly Addenda
Obtaining Certificates
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Northern Ireland
Information Recorded on Certificates
  • Births
  • Marriages
  • Death
English Sources for Irish Civil Registration
Module 2 Course Assignments
MODULE 3
CENSUSES & CHURCH REGISTERS
Census Records
  • What the Census Returns Show
  • Searching the Census
  • Alternatives to Censuses
Church Registers
  • Finding the Right Parish
  • Church of Ireland (Anglican)
  • Roman Catholic Church
  • Presbyterian Church
  • Methodist Church
  • Other Dissenting Churches
  • Availability of Church Registers
Monumental Inscriptions
Module 3 Course Assignments
MODULE 4
PROBATE & OTHER RESOURCES
Introduction to Probate Records
  • Survival of Probate Materials
  • What survived?
  • What if the will doesn’t survive?
  • Further Reading
Occupations
  • Locating Research Already Done or in Progress
  • Published Family Histories—Research Already Done
  • Locating Other Researchers—Work in Progress
Module 4 Course Assignments
APPENDIX
Irish Archives
  • Archives in Northern Ireland
  • Archives in the Republic of Ireland
  • Irish Family History Societies
  • Additional Websites
Bibliography