Ireland

Republic of Ireland census research

The first complete Irish census was taken in 1821. The island then adopted the British practice of recording the whole population every ten years. Sadly, one of family history’s great disappointments is that few of the records from before 1901 remain. The Irish Government itself destroyed the 1861 and 1891 returns, and almost all those for 1821 to 1851 burned in a fire that destroyed the Public Record Office in 1922. The first census after Partition was held in 1926, and it will be some time before these records are made available.

The good news is that the 1901 and 1911 returns are hugely detailed. As well as basic information such as names, ages and occupations, they tell you your ancestors’ religions, any disabilities, their ability to speak the Irish language, and much more. They’re housed in the National Archives in Dublin and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast. However, you can view and search them for free online.

For the missing years, you can turn to a number of ‘census substitutes’ to build a picture of your forebears’ lives. For example, when old age pensions were introduced in 1908, many people used old census information to apply. These certificates have survived, and you can see them at the National Archives, PRONI and the Family History Centres managed by the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Republic of Ireland vital records

Parish registers - For any research up to the middle of the 19th century, the best resources for tracing details of your ancestors’ vital events are the registers of christenings, marriages and burials compiled by churches up and down the land. Unfortunately, these records present their own problems. An 1876 law required all Church of Ireland registers be sent to the Public Record Office in Dublin for safekeeping. Almost all registers that were sent to the PRO, about half of all those that existed, were destroyed in the 1922 fire. Of those that survive, many remain with the local clergy, but you’ll find some in the National Archives, the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin and the PRONI.

Most rural Catholic churches didn’t begin to keep records until 1820 because of political restrictions upon the Catholic Church. Most records that do exist are still with the relevant church. However, you’ll find many on microfilm at the National Library of Ireland.

Civil registration - In the 19th century, Ireland began recording births, marriages and deaths centrally. The civil registration of non-Catholic marriages started in 1845, and births and deaths, along with Catholic marriages, followed in 1864. If you can find your ancestors’ certificates, they provide a wealth of detail: birth records, for example, include the mother’s maiden name and the father’s occupation;

The Republic’s certificates are kept at the General Register Office. Before you can order copies, you need to consult the indexes, to get the relevant details. You can do this at the Register Office. However, the LDS Church has created an online index for events before 1958.

Republic of Ireland research routes

If you’re starting research in the Republic, make sure you pay these organizations a visit. Also bear in mind that many records are kept at a local level, either in record offices, libraries or within churches.

• General Register Office - Ireland: The place to visit for Republic of Ireland civil indexes and registers, plus adoption records from 1953 onwards.
• National Library of Ireland: The Library has extensive family history collections, but its biggest attraction is undoubtedly Catholic church registers on microfilm.
• National Archives of Ireland: The Archive’s huge collections include military, immigration, and criminal records. It has also made the 1901 and 1911 censuses available online.
• Irish Family History Society: Provides members with information, advice and publications to help with family history research.
• Representative Church Body Library: Holds some parish registers for the entire island, and other official Church of Ireland records.
• Ireland GENUKI page: GENUKI is a huge online family history reference library. Its Ireland page covers the whole island, and has sections dedicated to individual counties, and all major record types.
• TIARA: The Irish Ancestral Research Association: Exists to promote research into Irish roots. Perhaps its most important resource is its huge database of surnames members are researching.
• Irish Genealogical Society International: An American organization that helps people around the world to look into Irish ancestry.