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Course image 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 (Eire), which has been independent since 1922. The emphasis is in doing the research yourself from wherever you happen to live, rather than merely covering the resources available in Ireland. Irish records are available worldwide if you know where to look, and this course will show you where they are and how to utilize them.

Consideration is given to the difficulties inherent in Irish research, key items in Irish history and geography and to emigration (the Irish Diaspora). Major original sources covered are civil registration, census (including substitutes where this is lacking), church registers and probate. These are followed by discussions of the usefulness of occupational records, locating research already done or in progress and a brief guide to resources for planning a genealogy research trip to Ireland.

Course Length: 6 weeks

Contact Hours: 15
Grading Scale: 70% Tests/30% Assignments
Course Length: 6 weeks
Course Content

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Irish Research
How Difficult Is Irish Research?
Irish History
Emigration
Irish Geography

MODULE 2
CIVIL REGISTRATION
Introduction to Civil Registration
Availability of Civil Registration
Information Given on Certificates
English Sources for Irish Civil Registration

MODULE 3
CENSUS
What the Census Returns Show
Searching the Census
Alternatives to Censuses
Church Registers
Calendar Changes in 1752
Phonetic Spellings
Monumental Inscriptions (MIs)

MODULE 4
PROBATE
Introduction
Survival of Probate Materials
What if the Will Does Not Survive?
Occupations
Locating Research Already Done or in Progress
GENEALOGY TRIP TO IRELAND

MODULE 5
CASE STUDY
Case Study Outline
Case Study Information
IRISH ARCHIVES
Archives in Northern Ireland
Archives in the Republic of Ireland
Irish Genealogical Project & Heritage Centres
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