Ireland Church Records: Difference between revisions

== 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.)   A more current list of Presbyterian congregations can be found online at:  [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 & 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.  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.  See [http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf '''http://www.proni.gov.uk/index_to_presbyterian_records-2.pdf'''] .  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:  

The Family History Library also has copies of some Presbyterian records. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under: