Genealogy
with David W Weatherill

Irish Research

Many family history researchers find, as they move through the various generations of family members, that they have Irish ancestors and need to undertake research into the Irish records.
Probably the first indication you find about your Irish ancestors will be information on a marriage certificate, death certificate or birth certificate. All these certificates usually provide information on place of birth of one of the family members identified on the certificate.
There is a large number of resources available to assist you with your Irish research. I cannot identify all of these resources here, but the following will provide an introduction to the area and offer support for your research.
a. Many family history/genealogical societies have formed an Irish Group that you can join and attend and these groups usually have a publication available, normally a newsletter. The Genealogical Society of Victoria has the Irish Ancestry Group that meets every second Saturday of February, May, August and November in the afternoon at the GSV and produces a quarterly newsletter, Blarney. The group also has an Irish Starter Kit available for $7.00 to get you going. Information on the group and the kit can be obtained from the GSV.
b. Three excellent research books to look at are:
– Grenham, John: Tracing Your Irish Ancestors.
– Maxwell, Ian: Tracing Your Ancestors in Northern Ireland.
– Collins Pocket Reference: Tracing Irish Ancestors – A Practical Guide to Irish Genealogy.
You must keep in mind the time line for changes in Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland when undertaking your research.
c. A magazine that is also of value is Irish Roots, which is published quarterly and can be obtained from newsagents, family history societies (including the GSV) and some local libraries stock it.
d. If you can get to a Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) Family History Centre you can pick up or read a copy of one of the Research Outlines they publish titled, Ireland. This is a 48-page magazine that outlines what the LDS Church holds in the way of records, but also provides a great outline on researching in Ireland. You can also find this outline on the LDS Church Family History webpage at www.familysearch.org as well as other information on Ireland and the records that they hold, including the IGI (International Genealogical Index) material that the church has.
e. A number of internet sites are also available for you to access including:
Irish Origins at www.irishorigins.com
• Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) at www.proni.nics.gov.uk/index.htm
• GENUKI site at www.genuki.org.uk and click on the Ireland link.
• Irish Family History Foundation at www.irishroots.net
• As noted above the LDS site at www.familysearch.org where you can access material via a number of sites – IGI, Ancestral File, Family History Library Catalogue and the Family History SourceGuide.
As I noted above this is only a brief reference list. Finally, there is also the great help provided by the various family history societies. Don’t forget them. They have members who have experience with Irish research and can be of great help to you. Take the time to visit and talk to them.
Good luck with your research. If you do have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Also if you have any topics or areas that you would like me to address in future columns, please let me know. You can contact me either by email at dww@tpg.com.au or phone or write to me care of The Genealogical Society of Victoria Inc, Level 6, 179 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000, phone 9670 7033.