The Ireland SIG has about a dozen members. We meet monthly from October through May. We try to help one another research our Irish ancestors. All SCVGS members, and those considering joining, are welcome. Meeting announcements are posted to the home page of this web site, and distributed via email to those who have subscribed. We have a Google Map of the names and locations of our members’ ancestors.
General Introduction
Tracing Your Irish Ancestors by John Grenham, now in its third edition, is the best overview. Available at our genealogy library, from Amazon.com, and elsewhere.
Genealogical Databases for Ireland in General
- 1901 and 1911 Censuses of Ireland: The National Archives of Ireland provides free access to these censuses. Taken prior to the partition in 1922, they cover both Northern Ireland and the Republic. The Archives gives an overview of their contents.
- Griffith’s Valuation: This is also free and covers all of Ireland. It was published between 1847 and 1864. It was done for tax purposes so it lists only landlords and tenants. This version of Griffith’s overlays contemporary road maps on the 19th century maps. Contact Ken Jordan or Mike Carroll if you need help with this feature.
- Irish Family History Foundation: This site offers church records for baptisms, marriages, and burials, for almost all of Ireland. They cover primarily the 19th century, with some earlier. The individual records are transcriptions, not images, but are often not available online anywhere else. Pricing policies are subject to change, so please check the website to see what they are currently.
- Irish Genealogy: This site also offers church records. It appears to cover counties that for one reason or another are not in the Irish Family History Foundation database.
- Ireland Databases at FamilySearch: This is part of a large, free collection of databases being constructed by the LDS Church. The largest Ireland database there at the moment is the Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958. This is an index, not the records themselves. The record must be ordered from the General Register Office (see below).
- Ancestry.com: This site is not free, but SCVGS has a subscription that includes Ireland, which may be used at the club rooms when they’re open. They have roughly 150 databases for Ireland, including for example Tithe Applotment Books, 1824-1837, a predecessor to Griffith’s Valuation.
Genealogical Databases for Northern Ireland
- Emerald Ancestors: Free searching; subscription required to view records. Birth, marriage, death, and census records for the six counties.
- Ancestry Ireland (Ulster Historical Foundation): Some free searching; pay-per-view or membership required otherwise. Extensive records for counties Antrim and Down, and data for other counties both in and outside Ulster.
Placename Databases (free)
- Placenames Database of Ireland includes names of places that no longer exist.
- Placenames NI may have better or additional info for Northern Ireland.
- Placename Search of Griffith’s is also useful when you can’t locate a place.
- Ordnance Survey Ireland has the original maps drawn up for Griffith’s Valuation.
Message Boards and Mailing Lists (free)
- RootsChat offers message boards for the British Isles, including Ireland. This site is based in Britain and seems to have lots of Irish users who can answer questions.
- Ancestry also offers message boards for Ireland. You do not need a paid subscription to use them, though you may need to register in order to post messages.
- RootsWeb provides mailing lists for Ireland. Mailing lists pre-date the web. Many find message boards easier to use.
Books in the SCVGS Library
- A Genealogical Atlas of Ireland by Brian Mitchell has county maps with their parishes, baronies, and poor law unions, and explains what those are.
- Irish Records by James G. Ryan gives details on what records are available & where.
- For a complete list of our books on Ireland, click here.
Other Useful Websites
- BalleybegVillage gives an explanation of Irish land divisions.
- The Clare Roots Society is a genealogy club that partners with the Co. Clare Library.
- Cyndi’s List has a comprehensive list of Ireland sites, but no evaluation of them.
- FamilySearch Wiki provides a great deal of information on history, geography, etc.
- IrelandGenWeb and NorthernIrelandGenWeb: maintained by volunteers, you may find a pot of gold, or just an empty pot. Includes county-level information.
- IrelandStory has demographic maps and articles on Irish history like the Potato Famine.
- MyIrishAncestry offers message boards and searches of Griffith’s Valuation.
Centrally Located Repositories in Ireland
- Republic of Ireland: Centers in Dublin include the National Archives (very useful web site), the National Library, and the General Register Office.
- Northern Ireland: The principal offices in Belfast are the General Register Office for roughly 1850 to the present, and the Public Record Office for earlier.
- Both of the above General Register Office web sites permit you to order certificates online.
Visiting Ireland
- The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA): Joan traveled with TIARA. They have a page on upcoming trips and also a more general one on travel to Ireland.
- Imagine Ireland lists Ireland vacation cottages and self-catering accommodations.
- Discover Ireland and Discover Northern Ireland are the Tourist Board web sites.
Credits
Header and footer photos are the Grianán of Aileach in Co. Donegal, from PD Photo. The Celtic symbol is a triquetra, and the version used here is from Webweaver. Ken Jordan provided some of the links.
