Ireland Church Records: Difference between revisions

Church records are an excellent source of names, dates, relationships, and places. In fact, church records are the primary source for pre-civil registration (pre-1864) Irish research.  Church records include records of christenings, marriages, and burials, sometimes giving birth and death dates. These records were kept in bound 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. The major religions of Ireland are the Catholic Church and Church of Ireland (Anglican).  The Presbyterian Church is also prominent, especially in Northern Ireland.  

The following book contains information about the history and records of many Irish religious denominations:  

*Grenham, John. ''Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide''. 3rd ed. Dublin, Ireland: Gill and Macmillan, 2006. (FHL {{FHL|941.5 D27gj|disp=book Ref 941.5 D27gj 2006}}.)

The Church of Ireland was the state church or Established Church in Ireland from 1536.  Each parish in Ireland kept its own records of christenings, marriages, and burials.  '''[[Church of Ireland Records|Read more...]]'''  

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.  '''[[Ireland Catholic Church Records|Read more...]]'''  

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.  '''[[Ireland Presbyterian Church Records|Read more...]]'''  

A Methodist society began in Dublin in 1746.  

Methodist records consist mainly of baptism and marriage records. Baptism records show the child’s name, parents, and birth date and place. Marriage records show the names of the bride and groom, and the marriage date and place. Occasionally a circuit minute book or vestry book was kept. Since there were few Methodist cemeteries, 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. '''[[Ireland Methodist Church Records|Read more...]]'''  

In 1654, the Quaker faith (Religious Society of Friends) began in Ireland. Its roots can be found among English soldiers, farmers, and merchants who arrived in Ireland after the English Civil War (1641-1651). These immigrants converted to the new religion from a variety of other nonconforming protestant faiths.<br>By 1750, there were 150 Quaker meetings across Ireland within the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, and Munster.  

The Quaker faith kept its records separate and apart from those collected by the Church of Ireland or the State. As a result, many of its original records exist and are located in the repositories.&nbsp; '''[[Ireland Quaker Records|Read more...]]'''&nbsp;  

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:  

The Family History Library does not have any Jewish records for Ireland.  

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.  

Copies of records for other churches can be found at the Family History Library. These are listed in the [https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog].&nbsp; Do a Place Search&nbsp;for a county&nbsp;or parish of interest and select the topic&nbsp;of Church Records.&nbsp; Some records may also be found generally under Ireland and the topic of Church Records.&nbsp;&nbsp;  

== Locating Church Records  ==

Entries Relating to Irish Persons in the Marriage Register of the Parish of Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, Scotland. Entries of marriages, one or both persons shown must have an Irish address covers years 1720-1846, article in The Irish Ancestor, vol.IX,no.2.1977, pages 107-129, Family History Library Salt Lake City Ref. 941.5 B2i v.9  

== Search Strategies  ==

== External Links  ==

*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/ChurchRecords.html http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/ChurchRecords.html]  

{{Place|Ireland}}  

[[Category:Ireland|Church Records]] [[Category:Scots-Irish]] [[Category:Huguenots]] [[Category:Roman_Catholics]]