Ireland Church Records: Difference between revisions

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Church records are an excellent source of names, dates, and places. In fact, church records are the primary source for pre-civil registration (pre-1864) Irish research.
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Church records include records of births or christenings, marriages, and sometimes deaths or burials. These records were kept in registers, usually called parish registers. Church records may include other types of records such as religious census returns, emigration lists, and session or vestry minutes.
== Online Resources ==
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/places/europe/ireland/?category=34 Ireland Birth, Marriage & Death]
*[http://www.rootsireland.ie/ RootsIreland], index ($).
*[https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ IrishGenealogy.ie] County Kerry, western and northwestern County Cork (Cork City excepted), and most of the City of Dublin.
*'''1623-1866''' - {{RecordSearch|3460239|Ireland, Diocesan and Prerogative Marriage License Bonds Indexes, 1623-1866}} at FamilySearch - [[Ireland, Diocesan and Prerogative Marriage License Bonds Indexes - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images; ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30148/ireland-marriages-1619-1898?s=275764761 MyHeritage] ($)'' and [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-diocesan-and-prerogative-marriage-licence-bonds-indexes-1623-1866 FindMyPast] ($).
*'''1750-1849''' - [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/117060 Index to Prerogative marriage license bonds, ca. 1750-1849]
*'''1771-1812''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9141/ Ireland, Marriages in Walker's Hibernian Magazine, 1771-1812], index & images ($). ''Also at: [https://archive.org/details/irishmarriagesbe02farr Internet Archive].''
*'''1591-1866''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62077/ Ireland, Indexes to Wills, Probate Administration, Marriage Bonds and Licences, 1591-1866] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/betham-genealogical-abstracts Betham Genealogical Abstracts] - abstracts of genealogical records collected by Sir William Betham. Useful substitute to records lost in the 1922 Public Record Office fire in Dublin.
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/crossle-genealogical-abstracts Crossle Genealogical Abstracts] - abstracts of genealogical records collected by Dr. Francis Crossle
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/thrift-genealogical-abstracts Thrift Genealogical Abstracts] - abstracts of genealogical records collected by Gertrude Thrift. Records include wills, parish registers, freeman lists, and pedigree charts. Records date as far back as the 16th century.
<br>


The following book contains information about the history and records of many Irish religious denominations:
'''Church of Ireland (Aglican, Episcopalian)'''<br>
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/irish-parish-register-baptisms-and-confirmations-ffolliott-collection Irish Parish Register Baptisms & Confirmations, Ffolliott Collection], at FindMyPast, index ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/irish-parish-register-marriages-ffolliott-collection Irish Parish Register Marriages, Ffolliott Collection], at FindMyPast, index ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/irish-parish-register-burials-ffolliott-collection Irish Parish Register Burials, Ffolliott Collection], at FindMyPast, index ($)
*'''1630-1845''' - [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/217297 Index to Church of Ireland diocesan marriage licenses, 1630-1845], index only.
<br>


Ryan, James G., ed. ''Irish Church Records''. Glenageary, County Dublin, Ireland: Flyleaf Press, 1992. (FHL book Ref 941.5 K27rj.)
'''Catholics'''<br>
*[https://registers.nli.ie/ Catholic Records, National Library of Ireland]
*'''1655-1915''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61039/ Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915] at Ancestry ($), index and images
*'''1701-1845''' - {{RecordSearch|3499248|Ireland, Catholic Qualification & Convert Rolls, 1701-1845}} at FamilySearch - [[Ireland, Catholic Qualification & Convert Rolls - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
<br>


The following books also have excellent information about church records:
'''Non-Conformists'''<br>
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-non-conformist-births-and-baptisms Ireland, Non-Conformist Births & Baptisms], index ($).
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-non-conformist-burials Ireland, Non-Conformist Burials], index ($).
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-non-conformist-congregational-records Ireland, Non-Conformist Congregational Records], index ($).
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-non-conformist-marriages Ireland, Non-Conformist Marriages], index ($).
<br>


Falley, Margaret Dickson. ''Irish and Scotch-Irish Ancestral Research''. 2 vols. Evanston, Illinois: Margaret Dickson Falley, 1961-62. (FHL book Ref 941.5 D27f 2 vols.)
'''Quakers'''<br>
*[http://www.findmypast.com/quakers Irish Quaker Collection], index.
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-society-of-friends-quaker-births Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births], index ($).
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-society-of-friends-quaker-deaths Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Deaths], index ($).
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/ireland-society-of-friends-quaker-marriages Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Marriages], index ($).
*'''1859-1949''' - [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/322759 Transcripts of the national register of the Society of Friends, 1859-1949], births, marriages, deaths, monthly meetings.
<br>


Grenham, John. ''Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide''. Dublin, Ireland: Gill and Macmillan, 1992. (FHL book Ref 941.5 D27gj.)
'''Large Databases With Many Record Types'''<br>
*'''1500-1920''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4077 Irish Records Index, 1500 - 1920] index ($)
*[http://www.ancestryireland.com/?ai_home/ Ulster Historical Foundation]


== Church of Ireland Records ==
==Catholic Church Records==
[[File:Catholic dioceses of Ireland with names.png|250px|thumb|right|<center>Catholic dioceses of Ireland</center>]]
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Historically, each parish in Ireland kept its own records. Because the Church of Ireland was the state or established church, these parish records were considered state records. In 1876 a law was passed requiring that Church of Ireland parish registers be sent to the Public Record Office in Dublin for safekeeping. This law was amended in 1878 to allow parishes with good storage facilities to retain their records, so not all parish records were sent to Dublin. Further, some ministers made copies of their records before sending the originals to Dublin. Thus, many Church of Ireland records remain, even though the records sent to Dublin were destroyed in 1922 when the Public Record Office burned.
==Offices to Contact==
===Church of Ireland RCB Library===
'''RCB Library '''<br>
Braemor Park<br>
Churchtown<br>
Dublin 14<br>
D14 N735<br>
<br>


Church of Ireland parish registers list christenings, marriages, and burials. The amount of information recorded varies from parish to parish and from minister to minister. Later records generally give more information than earlier ones. Because the Church of Ireland was the state church, even people who did not belong to the church were sometimes listed in the church's parish registers. Consequently, it is wise to search Church of Ireland records regardless of your ancestor's religion.
Tel: +353 (0)1 492 3979<br>
Email: library@ireland.anglican.org <br>
*[https://store.ireland.anglican.org/genealogy Request a Search]<br>
*[https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/registers/ParishRegisters/PARISHREGISTERS.pdf List of Parish Registers]


===Christenings (Baptisms)===
===Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)===
'''Public Record Office of Northern Ireland'''<br>
2 Titanic Boulevard<br>
Titanic Quarter<br>
Belfast<br>
BT3 9HQ Northern Ireland<br>
<br>
Email: proni@communities-ni.gov.uk<br>
Telephone: 028 9053 4800<br>
*[https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/proni-enquiry-service The PRONI Enquiry Service] provides free advice and guidance about records held and also offers a fee-paying copy and search service.
*[https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Guide-to-Church-Records-October-2019.pdf PRONI’s Guide to Church Records] will help you identify what churches exist in each parish, what records exist for each church and whether the records are available in PRONI, either on microfilm or in original form. The majority of parishes covered in the Guide are located within the six counties of Northern Ireland, however PRONI holds some records from parishes in the Republic of Ireland, particularly the border counties of Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Louth.
*[https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/digitised-church-records-available-proni#toc-1 Digitised Church Records Available in PRONI]


Children were usually christened (baptized) within a few weeks of birth, though some christenings of older children or adults are recorded. Parish registers provide at least the name of the person christened and the christening date. They usually record the name of the father and frequently the first name of the mother. They may also record birth date, legitimacy, father's occupation, and the family's place of residence. In larger cities, registers often provide the family's street address.
===National Library of Ireland===


===Marriages===
'''National Archives (Republic of Ireland)<br>Bishop Street <br>Dublin D08 DF85 <br>Ireland (Eire) <br> [mailto:mail@nationalarchives.ie  mail@nationalarchives.ie]<br> [http://www.nationalarchives.ie/ Website]
*[https://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy/researching-family-history/ Researching family history]
*[https://www.nationalarchives.ie/article/records-birth-marriage-death/ Records of birth, marriage & death]
*[https://registers.nli.ie/ Catholic Records, National Library of Ireland]
*[https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/registers/ParishRegisters/PARISHREGISTERS.pdf List of Parish Registers] Details existing Church of England records and where they are held.


Pre-1845 parish registers usually provide only the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom. Beginning in 1845, parish registers also include the place of marriage; the marital status, occupation, and place of residence; both fathers' occupations; and the names of witnesses (possible relatives). If the father was deceased, that fact was sometimes noted.
==Historical Background==
"In 1922, the Republic of Ireland was created and six of the nine counties forming the province of Ulster '''(Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone)''' voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Separate National Archives were formed for the Republic of Ireland: the National Archives of Ireland (NAI), and Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Similarly civil registration became, for the Republic of Ireland, The General Register Office (GRO) and, for Northern Ireland, General Register Office (Northern Ireland) known as GRONI.
<br>
"Copies of many national records up to 1922 are available in both the NAI and PRONI and similarly registration records in GRO and GRONI. Records after 1922 are held in their respective offices. It is also important to note that '''several church dioceses of all denominations have parishes on both sides of the border''' and some Ulster collections include records from Monaghan, Donegal and Cavan as Ulster counties pre 1922. Local records are held in County Archives, Libraries and Heritage Centres."<ref>"Ireland", at GENUKI, https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/irl/, accessed 13 September 2022.</ref>
*Before civil registration was introduced in 1864, Church records provide the '''primary source''' for providing baptism, marriage and burial dates.
*The most common church records in Ireland are '''baptism, marriage and burial registers'''. Less common types of records are '''congregational censuses, lists of members, and emigration lists.'''
*Catholic and Presbyterian church registers frequently '''do not contain burial registers.'''
Identifying the religion of those individuals or families being researched will greatly increase the chance of success.
*What is now the Republic of Ireland was '''predominantly Catholic''', but with many members of the Anglican Church of Ireland from '''wealthy Anglo-Irish''' families.
*In Northern Ireland, the '''Church of Ireland''' and various aspects of the '''Presbyterian Churches''' were the dominant religions, accounting for sixty-percent of the population in 1861. While '''Catholics''' were a minority, they accounted for forty-percent of the population. Since that time, the Catholic population percentage has continued to grow.
*Protestants and Catholics tend to live in clustered neighborhoods with most areas predominantly Catholic or Protestant.
*'''Huguenots''', seeking religious freedom, also came in the 1600s. Huguenot church records have been published in:  ''The Publications of the Huguenot Society of London''. N.p.: Huguenot Society of London, 18--. (FS Library book {{FSC|501804|title-id|disp=942.1/L1 B4h}}.) Most Huguenots affiliated themselves with the Church of Ireland or with the Presbyterian Church.
*In the mid-1600s '''Congregationalists and Baptists''' first came to Ireland as soldiers under Cromwell.
*Members of '''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' established branches in Ireland by 1850. Records are mainly in Salt Lake City, Utah.


Couples were usually married in the bride's parish. Permission to marry was obtained in one of two ways:
==Major Religions==
Full Wiki articles are available on records for each of these churches. 
*'''[[Church of Ireland Records]]''' began in 1536, but two-thirds were destroyed in 1922. This was the religion of many of the Northern Ireland London Company plantation settlers in the 17th century and the settlers of the Protestant Pale around Dublin.
*'''[[Ireland Catholic Church Records]]''' began from the mid 1700s. Most rural parishes did not start keeping records until Catholic Emancipation in 1828. Many of the city registers date from the 1750's.
*'''[[Ireland Presbyterian Church Records]]''' In 1605 Scottish estate owners resettled mostly Presbyterian tenants from their estates to newly established estates in Northern Ireland. Numerous registers date from the 1600's, but the average starting date for these registers is 1830.
*'''[[Ireland Methodist Church Records]]''' A Methodist society began in Dublin in 1746.
*'''[[Ireland Quaker Records]]''' In 1654, the Quaker faith (Religious Society of Friends) began in Ireland. By 1750, there were 150 Quaker meetings across Ireland within the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, and Munster. Many of its original records exist and are located in the repositories.


*
==Research Tutorials at FamilySearch==
** '''By banns'''. Couples were required by law to have the minister announce their intent to marry or post notice of their intent on the church door for three consecutive Sundays before the marriage could take place, unless a special license was obtained. This gave others time to object to the marriage.
*[https://familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lesson/106 '''Ireland Beginning Research Series: Church Records''']
** '''By license'''. A couple applied to the proper church authority, usually the bishop of the diocese or the Archbishop of Armagh, for a license to marry. An allegation and a bond were drawn up. The allegation listed the names of the bride and groom, their ages, marital statuses, and intended place of marriage. The bond was made to insure that all the information given was valid. The license granted permission to marry. Most Irish allegations, bonds, and licenses have been destroyed. However, some abstracts and indexes of these records for various dioceses remain. The indexes include the names of the intended bride and groom and the year their license was issued. To find the marriage license indexes and abstracts available at the Family History Library, look in the Locality Search of the catalog under the following headings:
*[https://familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lesson/185 '''Ireland Presbyterian Church Records''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/ireland-catholic-church-records-part-2 '''Ireland Catholic Church Records''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/tracing-irish-roman-catholic-ancestry '''Tracing Irish Roman Catholic Ancestry''']


IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS
==Search Strategies==


IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES'''
As you search church records, use the following strategies:


===Burials===
*Search all parish registers and other available church records of the appropriate locality for the time period you are researching.
*Search available Church of Ireland records even if your family was not of the Church of Ireland.
*Search surrounding localities if you cannot find records in the expected locality. Catholics had different parish boundaries to the Church of Ireland
*Note all entries, including burials, for the surname you are searching (unless the name is very common).
*Note gaps or missing pages in the record. You may want to search alternative records for the missing time periods.
*If you find little or no mention of your family in parish records, search other records.
* Use the additional information (residence, occupation, etc.) given in parish registers to find other records to search.


Burial usually took place in the deceased's parish within a few days of the death. Burial records give the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Sometimes they also give the deceased's age, place of residence, cause of death, and occupation. Occasionally a wife's burial entry will provide the name of the husband, and a child's entry, the name of the father. Stillbirths are sometimes recorded in the burial registers. Stillbirths are not, however, listed in christening records.
==References==
{{reflist}}


'''Vestry Minutes'''
{{Place|Ireland}}


The vestry is the presiding council of a parish. Minutes of vestry meetings often mention parishioners, appointments of parish officers, and other items related to the parish. Occasionally records of births, christenings, marriages, deaths, and burials are included in the minutes.
[[Category:Church records in Ireland]]  
 
[[Category:Scots-Irish]]  
=== Locating Church of Ireland Records ===
[[Category:Huguenots]]  
 
[[Category:Roman Catholics]]
Many Church of Ireland registers were destroyed in the fire at the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922. To protect against further loss or deterioration, most existing records have been filmed or photocopied and the originals or copies deposited in national repositories in Ireland. Some of the deposited church records are closed to the general public. To search these records, you must obtain written permission from the minister of the parish or the bishop of the diocese over that parish.
 
Ministers were never required to send vestry minutes to Dublin for safekeeping. Consequently, most vestry minutes are in local custody, though some have been deposited at the National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, or other repositories.
 
To obtain information from a Church of Ireland record in Ireland, follow these suggestions:
 
Request a copy of the record from the Representative Church Body Library. A list of this library's parish records is found in:
 
Ryan, James G. ''Irish Records: Sources for Family &amp; Local History''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (FHL book Ref 941.5 D23r.)
 
The library also has biographical sketches of Church of Ireland ministers. The address is:
 
:'''Representative Church Body Library<br>'''Braemor Park<br>Rathgar<br>Dublin 14<br>IRELAND (EIRE) <br>Internet: [http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=about&id=5 http://www.ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=about&amp;id=5]
 
Request a copy of the record from the National Archives or the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. To determine whether the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has a copy of the record, consult the descriptive catalog of the office's holdings. To locate filmed catalogs for the National Archives at the Family History Library, look in the Place Search of the catalog under the following headings:
 
IRELAND - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INDEXES
 
IRELAND - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS
 
Write to the minister of the appropriate parish to see if he will search his parish registers or vestry minutes for you. Ministers' addresses and jurisdictions are listed in the Church of Ireland Directory at:
*http://www.churchofireland.net/directories/resources/resourcedir_param.asp?category=parish.
 
To find Church of Ireland records at the Family History Library, consult the Place Search of the catalog under:
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
== Catholic Records ==
 
Catholic parish registers for most rural areas were not kept until the 1820s or later. Records for urban areas started earlier. Each parish kept its own records.
 
Catholic parish registers mainly include christening and marriage records. Few registers contain death or burial records. Occasionally a register will contain a parish census. Some Catholic registers are in Latin.
 
===Christenings (Baptisms)===
 
Children were usually christened (baptized) within a few weeks of birth, though some christenings of older children or adults are recorded. Parish registers provide at least the name of the person christened and the christening date. They usually record the name of the father and frequently the first name of the mother. They may also record birth date, legitimacy, father's occupation, and the family's place of residence. In larger cities, registers often provide the family's street address.
 
===Marriages===
 
Catholic marriage records normally provide the date of the marriage, the names of the bride and groom, and the names of the witnesses. Occasionally, places of residence are listed. If the bride and groom are related, the degree of relationship is often given as well.
 
==Locating Catholic Records==
 
Original parish registers are in local custody. Sometimes a priest will search parish records for you. Names, addresses, and parishes of priests are listed in the Irish Catholic Directory and Diary.
 
Filmed copies of almost all pre-1880 parish records are held by the National Library of Ireland. Filmed copies of pre-1880 parish registers for Northern Ireland are also kept by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Some of the filmed parish registers at the National Library are restricted. To search these registers, you must have written permission from the priest of the parish or the bishop of the diocese in which the registers were kept.
 
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many Catholic parish registers. These are listed in the catalog under IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS, where [PARISH] is the civil parish in which the Catholic parish is located. Maps showing Catholic parish boundaries for every county in Ireland can be found in:
 
Grenham, John. ''Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide''. Dublin, Ireland: Gill and Macmillan, 1992. (FHL book Ref 941.5 D27gj.)
 
== Presbyterian Records  ==
 
In 1605 Scottish Presbyterians began a massive migration into Northern Ireland. Congregations were organized at that time, but only a few congregations, mostly in County Antrim, kept early records. Most congregations started keeping records in the early 1800s.
 
In the 1700s and early 1800s several groups split off from the Presbyterian church. Seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed congregations were formed in many areas of Northern Ireland. These congregations kept their own records. In 1840 most of these congregations rejoined the main body of Irish Presbyterians. For a discussion and the names of the seceding, non-subscribing, and reformed Presbyterian congregations in Ireland, see the following book:
 
Stewart, David. ''The Seceders in Ireland.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society, 1950. (FHL book 941.5 K2ste.)
 
The following book lists Presbyterian congregations in Ireland and their ministers:
 
''A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1610-1982.'' Belfast, Ireland: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, 1982. (FHL book 941.5 K2h.)&nbsp;&nbsp; A more current list of Presbyterian congregations can be found online at:&nbsp;&nbsp;[http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html '''http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html'''] .
 
Records kept by Presbyterian ministers include birth, baptism, and marriage records. These records are similar in content to Church of Ireland records except that mothers' maiden names are often given in the birth and baptism records.
 
'''Session Minutes'''
 
The session is the presiding council of a Presbyterian congregation. Minutes of session meetings often mention members of the congregation, appointments of committee members, and other items of congregational business. Occasionally records of births, christenings, and marriages are included in the minutes. Most session minutes are in local custody.
 
'''Locating Presbyterian Records'''
 
Presbyterian ministers have custody of original Presbyterian records. See:
 
Ryan, James G. ''Irish Records: Sources for Family &amp; Local History''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (FHL book Ref 941.5 D23r.) This book
 
lists the Presbyterian records in local custody.
 
The jurisdictions and addresses of local ministers can be found in ''The Presbyterian Church in Ireland: Directory and Statistics.'' (FHL book 941.5 K24pr.)
 
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland at http://www.proni.gov.uk/ has microfilm or paper copies of most of the Presbyterian registers for Northern Ireland and for the counties of Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan. For a list of the office's Presbyterian records, see James G. Ryan, ed., ''Irish Church Records'' referenced above.&nbsp; Further, if you get a permission letter from the local minister, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland will make a copy of the film for you for a reasonable cost.&nbsp; See&nbsp;[http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf '''http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf'''] .&nbsp; This is only available for Presbyterian parish films at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
 
The Presbyterian Historical Society has copies of some of the Presbyterian and seceding Presbyterian records for Northern Ireland. The society's holdings are not complete. To determine which records the society possesses, contact the society at the following address:
 
:'''Presbyterian Historical Society<br>'''Room 218<br>Church House<br>Fisherwick Place<br>Belfast BT1 6DW<br>NORTHERN IRELAND <br>Internet: http://www.presbyterianireland.org/phsi/
 
The Family History Library also has copies of some Presbyterian records. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under:
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
== Methodist Records ==
 
In 1746 a Methodist society began in Dublin. The following year, John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism, visited Ireland. John Wesley urged his Irish followers to attend the Church of Ireland. Some followed his counsel; others chose to worship with the Quakers or Presbyterians instead.
 
At the 1816 Methodist conference in Ireland, the presiding body decided that Methodists should be baptized, be married by, and receive communion from their own ministers rather than from ministers of other churches. This proposed change resulted in a schism within the movement. Those who chose to continue affiliating with the Church of Ireland became known as the Primitive Methodists. The Wesleyan Methodists, the larger of the two groups, started their own church, kept their own records, and set up congregations throughout Ireland. Other splinter groups included the New Connexion and the Primitive Methodist Connexion. In 1878 the Primitive Methodists and the Wesleyan Methodists united. The two Connexion groups rejoined the main body in 1932.
 
Methodist records consist mainly of baptism and marriage records that are similar in content to Church of Ireland records. Occasionally a circuit minute book or vestry book was kept. Since there were few Methodist cemeteries, Methodist death or burial records are rare. Methodists were usually buried in Church of Ireland cemeteries and their burial records kept in Church of Ireland registers.
 
'''Locating Methodist Records'''
 
Primitive and Wesleyan Methodist records are in local custody. You may obtain information from these records through correspondence with individual ministers. Names, addresses, and jurisdictions of Methodist ministers can be found in the 1992 Minutes of Conference.
 
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has microfilm copies of Methodist records for several congregations in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. James G. Ryan, ed., Irish Church Records lists the Methodist records held by the office and gives their Public Record Office accession numbers.
 
The New Connexion and Primitive Methodist Connexion groups were administered from England. Their records were kept by various British circuits (districts presided over by travelling ministers). Consequently, pre-1905 New Connexion records and pre-1910 Primitive Methodist Connexion records are held in the Methodist archive at the following address:
 
'''The John Rylands University of Manchester<br>'''Manchester M13 9PP<br>ENGLAND <br>Internet: http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
 
Records for either of the Connexion groups after 1905 and 1910, respectively, are held by individual churches in Ireland.
 
''Smith's Inventory of Genealogical Sources: Ireland'' (FHL book Ref 941.5 D23s) lists Methodist records published in Irish periodicals that are available at the Family History Library.
 
Other Methodist records available at the Family History Library are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under the following headings:
 
IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
== Quaker (Society of Friends) Records ==
 
Around 1653 Quakers emigrated from England to Ireland. If you are not sure your ancestors were Quakers, consult the list of chief Irish Quaker surnames found in the appendix in:
 
Harrison, Richard S. ''A Biographical Dictionary of Irish Quakers''. (FHL book 941.5 D36hr.)
 
Quakers held both weekly and monthly meetings. Births, marriages, and deaths were reported in the monthly meetings. Around 1655 Quakers began keeping records of their meetings. Irish Quaker records are held in two regional Quaker repositories: the Dublin Friends Historical Library and the Religious Society of Friends. The Dublin Friends Historical Library only has records for the Republic of Ireland. The Religious Society of Friends, Ulster Quarterly Meeting mainly has records for Northern Ireland. Both repositories contain minutes of meetings; birth, marriage, and death records; diaries; pedigrees; wills; and other records. The address is:
 
:'''Dublin Friends Historical Library<br>'''Religious Society of Friends in Ireland<br>Swanbrook House<br>Morehampton Road<br>Donnybrook<br>Dublin 4<br>IRELAND (EIRE)<br>Internet: http://www.quakers-in-ireland.ie/archive/indexarc.htm
 
:'''Religious Society of Friends<br>'''Ulster Quarterly Meeting<br>Friends Meeting House<br>Railway Street<br>Lisburn<br>County Antrim BY28 1EP<br>NORTHERN IRELAND<br>Internet: http://www.quakers-in-ireland.org/
 
The National Library of Ireland in Dublin and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland have microfilm copies of some Quaker records. The Family History Library also has microfilm copies of some Quaker records. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under the following headings:
 
IRELAND - CHURCH RECORDS
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
== Jewish Records ==
 
Ireland has only a few Jewish synagogues. Jewish records have been deposited in the Irish Jewish Museum. The museum contains records from synagogues and from Jewish communal institutions. These records include registrations of births, marriages, and deaths. For more information about these records, write the museum at the following address:
 
'''Irish Jewish Museum<br>'''3/4 Walworth Road<br>South Circular Road<br>Dublin 8<br>IRELAND (EIRE)<br>Internet: http://www.eecs.tufts.edu/~zblocker/ijm/
 
The Family History Library does not have any Jewish records for Ireland.
 
== Other Churches ==
 
Many other denominations have established churches or congregations in Ireland. In the mid-1600s Congregationalists and Baptists first came to Ireland as soldiers under Cromwell. Huguenots, seeking religious freedom, also came in the 1600s. Most Huguenots affiliated themselves with the Church of Ireland or with the Presbyterian Church. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established branches in Ireland by 1850.
 
Records of other churches are primarily in local custody (except for Latter-day Saint records, which are mainly in Salt Lake City, Utah). Huguenot church records have been published in:
 
''The Publications of the Huguenot Society of London''. N.p.: Huguenot Society of London, 18--. (FHL book 942.1/L1 B4h.)
 
Copies of records for other churches can be found at the Family History Library. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under:
 
IRELAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
=== Locating Church Records ===
 
Church records are in local custody. Many church records have also been filmed or photocopied and the originals or copies stored in repositories.
 
''Hayes's Sources'' can be used to determine if and where church records were deposited before 1977. Look in the subject indexes of:
 
Hayes, Richard J. Manuscript Sources for the History of Irish Civilization. (FHL book Ref 941.5 A5h.) Look under the headings "Parish Registers" and "Vestry Books" for Church of Ireland records, and look by denomination (Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.) for other churches' records. In the place indexes, look for church records by county and then town, city, or parish.
 
The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland has published:
 
''An Irish Genealogical Source: Guide to Church Records''. Belfast, Ireland: Ulster Historical Foundation on behalf of PRONI, 1994. (FHL book 941.6 A3gc.) This is a guide to locating church records in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. It also indicates which records are still in local custody.
 
The descriptive catalog of holdings of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland details that archives' holdings of church records. The Family History Library has a filmed copy of the descriptive catalog. The sections describing church records are found on films 1,701,904-5; 1,701,989; 1,736,433 items 5-9; 1,736,434 items 1-2.
 
The appendices in James G. Ryan, ed., ''Irish Church Record''s give some names and addresses of church record archives. The appendices also provide details about Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, and Methodist records held in local custody or deposited in national archives.
 
Local heritage or genealogical centres throughout Ireland are currently indexing church records. To determine if a centre has indexed the records you need, consult:
 
Irish Family History Society. ''Directory of Parish Registers Indexed in Ireland''. (FHL book Ref 941.5 K23dp.)
 
Additional church records have been indexed since the directory was published. Contact the appropriate centre for more current information and to determine the fees charged for searching and copying index entries.
 
To see if the church records you need are available at the Family History Library, check the library catalog. To identify transcripts or abstracts of church records found in Irish genealogical periodicals available at the Family History Library, consult Smith's ''Inventory of Genealogical Sources: Ireland''.
 
===Search Strategies===
 
As you or your agent search church records, use the following strategies:
 
*
** Search all parish registers and other available church records of the appropriate locality for the time period you are researching.
** Search surrounding localities if you cannot find records in the expected locality.
** Note all entries, including burials, for the surname you are searching (unless the name is very common).
** Note gaps or missing pages in the record. You may want to search alternative records for the missing time periods.
** If you find little or no mention of your family in parish records, search other records.
** Use the additional information (residence, occupation, etc.) given in parish registers to find other records to search.
 
===External Links===
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/ChurchRecords.html http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/ChurchRecords.html]
*http://www.proni.gov.uk/
*http://www.ireland.com/ancestor/browse/records/church/
*http://www.genwed.com/UK/ireland.htm
*http://www.coraweb.com.au/ireland.htm
*http://www.proni.gov.uk/records/church.htm
 
[[Category:Ireland]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 17 May 2024


Ireland Wiki Topics
Flag of Ireland
Ireland Beginning Research
Record Types
Ireland Background
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Cultural Groups
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Ireland Church Tower

Online Resources[edit | edit source]


Church of Ireland (Aglican, Episcopalian)


Catholics


Non-Conformists


Quakers


Large Databases With Many Record Types

Catholic Church Records[edit | edit source]

Catholic dioceses of Ireland

















Offices to Contact[edit | edit source]

Church of Ireland RCB Library[edit | edit source]

RCB Library
Braemor Park
Churchtown
Dublin 14
D14 N735

Tel: +353 (0)1 492 3979
Email: library@ireland.anglican.org

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)[edit | edit source]

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
2 Titanic Boulevard
Titanic Quarter
Belfast
BT3 9HQ Northern Ireland

Email: proni@communities-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 9053 4800

  • The PRONI Enquiry Service provides free advice and guidance about records held and also offers a fee-paying copy and search service.
  • PRONI’s Guide to Church Records will help you identify what churches exist in each parish, what records exist for each church and whether the records are available in PRONI, either on microfilm or in original form. The majority of parishes covered in the Guide are located within the six counties of Northern Ireland, however PRONI holds some records from parishes in the Republic of Ireland, particularly the border counties of Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Louth.
  • Digitised Church Records Available in PRONI

National Library of Ireland[edit | edit source]

National Archives (Republic of Ireland)
Bishop Street
Dublin D08 DF85
Ireland (Eire)
mail@nationalarchives.ie
Website

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

"In 1922, the Republic of Ireland was created and six of the nine counties forming the province of Ulster (Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone) voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Separate National Archives were formed for the Republic of Ireland: the National Archives of Ireland (NAI), and Northern Ireland, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Similarly civil registration became, for the Republic of Ireland, The General Register Office (GRO) and, for Northern Ireland, General Register Office (Northern Ireland) known as GRONI.
"Copies of many national records up to 1922 are available in both the NAI and PRONI and similarly registration records in GRO and GRONI. Records after 1922 are held in their respective offices. It is also important to note that several church dioceses of all denominations have parishes on both sides of the border and some Ulster collections include records from Monaghan, Donegal and Cavan as Ulster counties pre 1922. Local records are held in County Archives, Libraries and Heritage Centres."[1]

  • Before civil registration was introduced in 1864, Church records provide the primary source for providing baptism, marriage and burial dates.
  • The most common church records in Ireland are baptism, marriage and burial registers. Less common types of records are congregational censuses, lists of members, and emigration lists.
  • Catholic and Presbyterian church registers frequently do not contain burial registers.

Identifying the religion of those individuals or families being researched will greatly increase the chance of success.

  • What is now the Republic of Ireland was predominantly Catholic, but with many members of the Anglican Church of Ireland from wealthy Anglo-Irish families.
  • In Northern Ireland, the Church of Ireland and various aspects of the Presbyterian Churches were the dominant religions, accounting for sixty-percent of the population in 1861. While Catholics were a minority, they accounted for forty-percent of the population. Since that time, the Catholic population percentage has continued to grow.
  • Protestants and Catholics tend to live in clustered neighborhoods with most areas predominantly Catholic or Protestant.
  • Huguenots, seeking religious freedom, also came in the 1600s. Huguenot church records have been published in: The Publications of the Huguenot Society of London. N.p.: Huguenot Society of London, 18--. (FS Library book 942.1/L1 B4h.) Most Huguenots affiliated themselves with the Church of Ireland or with the Presbyterian Church.
  • In the mid-1600s Congregationalists and Baptists first came to Ireland as soldiers under Cromwell.
  • Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established branches in Ireland by 1850. Records are mainly in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Major Religions[edit | edit source]

Full Wiki articles are available on records for each of these churches.

  • Church of Ireland Records began in 1536, but two-thirds were destroyed in 1922. This was the religion of many of the Northern Ireland London Company plantation settlers in the 17th century and the settlers of the Protestant Pale around Dublin.
  • Ireland Catholic Church Records began from the mid 1700s. Most rural parishes did not start keeping records until Catholic Emancipation in 1828. Many of the city registers date from the 1750's.
  • Ireland Presbyterian Church Records In 1605 Scottish estate owners resettled mostly Presbyterian tenants from their estates to newly established estates in Northern Ireland. Numerous registers date from the 1600's, but the average starting date for these registers is 1830.
  • Ireland Methodist Church Records A Methodist society began in Dublin in 1746.
  • Ireland Quaker Records In 1654, the Quaker faith (Religious Society of Friends) began in Ireland. By 1750, there were 150 Quaker meetings across Ireland within the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, and Munster. Many of its original records exist and are located in the repositories.

Research Tutorials at FamilySearch[edit | edit source]

Search Strategies[edit | edit source]

As you search church records, use the following strategies:

  • Search all parish registers and other available church records of the appropriate locality for the time period you are researching.
  • Search available Church of Ireland records even if your family was not of the Church of Ireland.
  • Search surrounding localities if you cannot find records in the expected locality. Catholics had different parish boundaries to the Church of Ireland
  • Note all entries, including burials, for the surname you are searching (unless the name is very common).
  • Note gaps or missing pages in the record. You may want to search alternative records for the missing time periods.
  • If you find little or no mention of your family in parish records, search other records.
  • Use the additional information (residence, occupation, etc.) given in parish registers to find other records to search.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Ireland", at GENUKI, https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/irl/, accessed 13 September 2022.
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