Beginning Irish Research: Difference between revisions

[[Image:1024px-Historic Irish Cemetery.jpg|thumb|right|350x250px|1024px-Historic Irish Cemetery.jpg]]View the [https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/getting-started-in-irish-genealogy/594 "Getting Started in Irish Genealogy"]&nbsp;online tutorial from FamilySearch.<br>  

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These 7 steps will help you find and use compiled sources.<br>  

==== Step 1. Identify compiled sources. ====

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Identify as many compiled sources as possible. They can include:<br>  

• Published family histories.<br>  

• Unpublished manuscript histories.<br>  

• Local histories.<br> • Computer databases and surname listings.<br> • Compiled pedigrees.<br>• Biographies.<br>• Record collections.<br> • Indexes to original records (such as censuses, marriages, and gravestone inscriptions).<br> • Registries for research exchange.<br> • Surname or one-name lists.<br> To find examples of compiled sources, see the publications listed in Where To Find It.<br>  

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You can find compiled sources through:<br> • The Internet.<br>• Family History Centers.<br> • The Family History Library.<br> • Archives and Libraries.<br> • Heritage Centres.<br> • Societies (family history, county, regional, and national).<br>  

==== Step 3. Decide which compiled sources to search. ====

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Search for compiled sources that:<br> • Deal with your specific family name.<br> • Cover your specific place of interest.<br> • Cover a range of years during your ancestor's lifetime.<br>  

==== Step 4. Search compiled sources. ====

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Compiled sources are often indexed or alphabetically arranged. Search for your ancestors in the compiled sources you find. In addition to your direct-line ancestors, search for their family members, relatives, or in-laws. Information about other relatives may give you clues to information about your direct-line ancestors.<br>  

==== Step 5. Copy and document the information in your research notes. ====

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Copy the information from the record exactly as it was given onto the family group sheets and<br>pedigree chart for your ancestor. Be sure to record the source of the information onto a research&lt; log. You may want to make a photocopy of the record for future use. To learn how to keep good notes, see Note taking &amp; keeping for genealogists.<br>  

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Compare any information you found in compiled sources with knowledge you already have about<br>your ancestor. Does it:<br> • Conflict with what you know? If the information conflicts, use other sources to verify it.<br> • Support what you know?<br> • Add to what you know?<br>Then ask yourself:<br> • Did the source have the information I wanted?<br>• Is this information accurate?<br> • Does this information suggest other sources to search?<br>  

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When you obtain information from compiled sources, you must verify the information by searching<br>original records.<br> Where to Find It<br> Internet Sources<br> FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service<br> Many compiled sources are available on the Internet.You can search for compiled sources<br> through FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service. FamilySearch Internet can search online<br> records and other web sites to see if they contain the information you need. To look for compiled<br>sources through FamilySearch Internet, go to Search for Ancestors and use either the All<br> Resources or Web Sites search option.<br>  

The following are examples of websites that provide compiled sources that are searchable bysurname:<br> • Internet FamilyFinder<br>• Ancestry.com (Fee required)<br> • GenSeeker<br>Links to Websites Many websites do not provide names and dates but link to sites that do. Examples of these are:<br> • CyndisList.<br> • GENUKI (Genealogy in the United Kingdom and Ireland).<br> • GenDex.<br> • Genealogy SiteFinder.<br> • Ireland GenWeb.<br>• Northern Ireland GenWeb.<br> ==== [[Family History Centers]]====

Family History Centers have computer databases of compiled records. In addition, a Family History Center may have some compiled sources for local families. [[Family History Centers]] can also borrow microfilms and microfiche of compiled sources from the [[Family History Library]]. The<br>Library charges a small fee to loan microfilm or microfiche to a Family History Center.If a compiled source is not available on microfilm, you may request a photocopy from the [[Family History Library]] for a small fee. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies form, which is available at [[Family History Centers]]. Complete the form with the library call number for the source.<br> Send the form and the fee to the Family History Library. Note that many published sources are copyrighted and cannot be photocopied in their entirety.<br>

Family History Centers are located throughout the United States and other areas of the world. For the address of the Family History Center nearest you, see Family History Centers.<br> Family History Library The Family History Library has one of the world's largest collections of compiled research sources. These include:<br> • International Genealogical Index--available on microfiche, on computer, and on the Internet. It includes information extracted from civil registration and church records of Ireland. You may access the index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting International Genealogical Index.<br> • Ancestral File--available on microfiche, on computer, and on the Internet. It includes<br>information submitted by individuals researching their Irish ancestry. You may access the<br>index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting Ancestral File.<br> • Pedigree Resource File--index only, available on the Internet. The files are on CD and may be<br>purchased online. You may access the index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting the Pedigree Resource File.<br> • British Isles Vital Records Index--available on CD at the library and many Family History<br>Centers. It can also be purchased online.<br>• Family History Library Catalog, Surname Search--lists published family histories; available on<br>microfiche, on computer, and on the Internet. You may access the catalog here by clicking on Family History Library Catalog above and then selecting Surname Search. Search for your surname of interest.<br> There is no fee for using the library's collection in person.<br> Sources for Previous Research in the British Isles lists and discusses major compiled sources available in the Family History Library. Some of these sources are available in other archives and libraries.<br> For information about contacting or visiting the library, click on Family History Library System above.<br> Archives and Libraries<br> Compiled sources are available in archives and libraries throughout the world. Some major<br>archives and libraries are:<br>Ireland<br> • The National Archives of Ireland.<br> • General Register Office, Dublin.<br> • General Register Office, Belfast.<br> • The National Library of Ireland.<br> • The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.<br>England<br> • The British Library.<br> • Public Record Office.<br> • Society of Genealogists.<br>Ireland, How to Find Compiled Sources<br><br>Australia and New Zealand<br> • National Archives of Australia.<br> • National Archives of New Zealand.<br> • National Library of New Zealand.<br>United States and Canada<br> • National Archives (U.S.), with regional branches throughout the country.<br> • Newberry Library.<br> • Library of Congress.<br> • New England Historic and Genealogical Society Library.<br> • National Library of Canada.<br>

==== Addresses for archives and libraries can be found at Ready, 'Net, Go. Select Master List of Archives. ====

Contact an archive or library before you visit to find out what compiled sources are available.<br> Heritage Centres Government sponsored offices, called Heritage Centres, are located throughout Ireland to assist individuals with their Irish family history research. They have compiled collections and indexes of Irish records, including:<br> • Church records.<br> • Census records.<br> • Civil registration records.<br> • Gravestone inscriptions.<br> • Tax records.<br> • Land records.<br> • School registers.<br> • Trade directories.<br> • Voters' lists.<br> • Workhouse records.<br> Centres will search their collections for a fee. For more information about these centres, go to the<br>Irish Family History Foundation web site.<br> Societies<br> Family history and genealogy societies may also extract and index records and may have collections of research done by their members and others. Many societies also publish journals&lt; and periodicals that include compiled research.<br> Some of the societies in Ireland include:<br> • Local family history societies.<br> • The Irish Family History Society.<br> • The North of Ireland Family History Society.<br>• The Ulster Historical Foundation.<br>  

== Ireland, How to Find Information About a Place Where Your Ancestor Lived ==

=== Steps ===

These 5 steps will help you find information about a place in Ireland.<br>

==== Step 1. Choose a place where your ancestor lived. ====

Look at the information you have gathered and choose the name of a parish, town, or townland<br>where your ancestor lived. If only the county or country is known, go to How To Find a Place-<br>Name.<br>Ireland<br>

Choose a gazetteer or similar source to search. The following gazetteers are listed in order of the amount and value of the information they give. These gazetteers are available at the [[Family History Library]]. Other gazetteers may be available at a library near you. You may want to look at<br>more than one gazetteer to gather details about the place you have chosen.<br>Title Publication Date Features<br>The Parliamentary Gazetteer of<br>Ireland.<br>1844 Gives location, jurisdictions,<br>geographical description, local<br>religions, local estates, industries<br>and manufacturing, land use, and<br>population breakdown by religion.<br>Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of<br>Ireland.<br>1837 and later editions Gives location, jurisdictions,<br>geographical description, local<br>religions, local estates, industries<br>and manufacturing, land use, and<br>population.<br>Cassell's Gazetteer of Great Britain<br>and Ireland.<br>1894-1898 Gives location, geographical<br>description, local religions, local<br>estates, industries and<br>manufacturing, and land use.<br>Index to the Townlands, Towns,<br>Parishes, and Baronies of Ireland,<br>1851.<br>1851; reprinted 1984 Alphabetical list of townlands and<br>towns giving the county, barony,<br>civil parish, and poor law union<br>jurisdictions.<br>Bartholomew's Survey Gazetteer of<br>the British Isles.<br>Original, 1904;<br>9th edition, 1943;<br>reprinted 1966<br>Gives location and geographical<br>description; also gives jurisdictions,<br>industries and manufacturing, and<br>population for larger cities.<br>Gazetteers and topographical dictionaries are not the only sources for information about placenames.<br>For more sources, see Tip 1.<br>Step 3. Obtain a copy of a gazetteer.<br>You may find gazetteers at:<br>• Family History Centers.<br>• The Family History Library.<br>• Other archives and libraries.<br>Step 4. Search the gazetteer for the place-name.<br>Once you have obtained a copy of a gazetteer, look for the name of the place where your<br>ancestor lived. Information in gazetteers is arranged alphabetically by the place-name.<br>If you cannot find the place in a gazetteer or other place-name source, see Tip 2.<br>Step 5. Copy the information and note the source.<br>Copy the information about the place-name onto family group sheets, a pedigree chart, and in<br>your notes. Some of the information may not seem helpful at this time but may be important in<br>future research. You may want to make a photocopy of the information directly from the source.<br>Ireland, How to Find Information About a Place Where Your Ancestor Lived<br>Research Guidance<br>Version of Data: 03/13/01<br>3<br>Be sure to write down the source of the information on a research log, including any library call<br>numbers. Be specific when writing down this information. If you should ever need to look at the<br>source again, your documentation will show where to find it in the record. If anyone else should<br>consult your research, they will also see where the source is located. Your research log will serve<br>as a guide to your research.<br>Tips<br>Tip 1. Where else can I find information about a place?<br>Information about places can also be found in:<br>• County histories.<br>• Town or parish histories.<br>• County directories.<br>• Descriptive regional guides.<br>• Encyclopedias.<br>Look for these other types of sources in a local archive or library catalog. To search the Family<br>History Library Catalog, go to What to Do Next, select the Catalog, and look for the county, town,<br>or parish, and your topic of choice.<br>The Internet may also provide sources of information about places in Ireland.<br>Tip 2. What if I cannot find the place-name in any of the<br>suggested sources?<br>You may not find a place-name because it is:<br>• Misspelled.<br>• Known by another name.<br>• Obsolete.<br>• A farm or other property name.<br>We suggest you contact the Ordnance Survey offices in Ireland to see if they can assist you.<br>Their addresses, including e-mail, are listed on their web sites:<br>• Republic of Ireland<br>• Northern Ireland<br>Tip 3. How can I find a map showing the place where my<br>ancestor lived?<br>For information on how to find a map, see How To Find Maps.<br>Background<br>Once you have identified a specific place in Ireland where your ancestor came from, you need to<br>identify the jurisdictions that included that place. Knowing jurisdictions is important when looking<br>for records. Church records are kept by ecclesiastical authorities, but one religion's jurisdictions<br>are not the same as another. In addition, civil jurisdictions are different than religious, and there<br>have been several levels of civil jurisdiction that have kept records of genealogical value.<br>Ireland, How to Find Information About a Place Where Your Ancestor Lived<br>Research Guidance<br>Version of Data: 03/13/01<br>4<br>Jurisdictions of importance include:<br>• Ecclesiastical parish.<br>• Diocese.<br>• Civil parish.<br>• Barony.<br>• Poor law union.<br>• District electoral division.<br>• County.<br>• Province.<br>When you find a source of information about your place, make note of all of the jurisdictions in<br>which it is included.<br>Where to Find It<br>Family History Centers<br>Family History Centers may have gazetteers for Ireland on microfiche or microfilm. Other placename<br>sources may also be available. Centers can purchase microfiche or borrow microfilm from<br>the Family History Library. There is a small fee to have a microfilm sent on loan to a center.<br>Family History Centers are located throughout the United States and other areas of the world.<br>Find a Family History Center near you.<br>Family History Library<br>The Family History Library has several gazetteers and other place-name sources for Ireland in<br>book form as well as on microfilm or microfiche. There is no fee for using the library's collection in<br>person.<br>You may request photocopies of pages from a gazetteer or other source from the library for a<br>small fee. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies form, which is available at all Family<br>History Centers. Complete the form with the book, film, or fiche number you found in your search<br>of the Family History Library Catalog (see What to Do Next). Send the form and payment to the<br>Family History Library.<br>Other Archives and Libraries<br>Addresses for archives and libraries can be found at Ready, 'Net, Go. Select Master List of<br>Archives. <br>