GuidedResearch:Ireland Place of Origin

Finding the Ireland County or Parish of Origin

Knowing the parish or townland of origin is important in Irish research because of all the common names. Even if the parish or townland is not found, knowing the county will significantly narrow research results.

  • Survey previous research of the ancestor and their family (including parents, siblings, spouses, children).
  • Search records in country of arrival. Some useful record types:
  • Biographies
  • Cemetery records
  • Census records
  • Church records
  • County histories
  • Genealogies
  • Land records
  • Military records
  • Naturalization records
  • Newspapers
  • Passenger lists
    (especially after 1900)
  • Probate records
  • Obituaries
  • Tombstones
  • Vital records
  • Search records in Ireland. Some useful record types:
  • Localize the surname. Checking a surname distribution map may locate the likely region an ancestor is from. Search for the surname of both the father/groom and mother/bride to narrow down the region.