Ireland Research Tips and Strategies


Ireland Wiki Topics
Flag of Ireland
Ireland Beginning Research
Record Types
Ireland Background
Ireland Genealogical Word Lists
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page

The Ireland Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Ireland. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.

Ireland Research Strategies

Finding Birth, Marriage and Deaths

Ireland Research Tips

Northern Ireland Research Tips

Differences Between Ireland and Northern Ireland

  1. Although originally Roman Catholic, over time what now constitutes Northern Ireland became predominately a Protestant country. This trend appears to be reversing due to differing birth rates.
  2. The majority of records are based on English law since it became a part of the United Kingdom, however, some residual laws from pre-partition Ireland remain in force (i.e. when all of Ireland in the UK)
  3. Many of the original records have been destroyed by conflicts and/or accidental damage. Some of these were destroyed in the various conflicts that culminated in the 1921 "troubles", but copies of some records do exist. Water damage and neglect have also damaged a number of records.
  4. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, people from Northern Ireland can hold dual citizenship with the Republic of Ireland, if they opt to do so.
  5. Northern Irish records tend to be distinctive in that Irish is not used in an official capacity. The crown also appears on some of them.
  6. Pre-1921 records can be accessed from both Belfast and Dublin. Post-1921 Northern Irish records are not available in Dublin, unless that person has become an Irish citizen.