GuidedResearch:Ireland Protestant
Ireland Protestant Guided Research
Before 1864, church records are the primary source for birth, marriage, and death information. If researching after 1864, see Civil Records.
- Knowing the county is essential in Irish research because of all the common names. Go to Finding the Ireland County or Parish of Origin.
What religion are you looking for?
Church of Ireland
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Historically, about 10% of Ireland belonged to the Church of Ireland (Anglican Church).
- Second largest church in Ireland.
- Most of the members were located in, what is today, Northern Ireland.
- About two-thirds of the records were destroyed in a fire in 1922. However, fragments and transcripts of some of these records exist and can be found online.
- Although some records date back to the 1600s, the majority of parishes began keeping records in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
- For a list of which parish registers exist and how to find them: Parish Registers.
- See Church of Ireland Records for more information.
Online Records
- Anglican Record Project at Church of Ireland (images only) - currently limited but growing
- Ireland Church Records at IrishGenealogy.ie - currently limited but growing
- Search All Ireland Records at RootsIreland.ie ($)
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has an extensive collection of microfilmed church records. See A Guide to Church Records for their holdings and years covered. These records are only available onsite.
Presbyterian
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Historically, less than 10% of Ireland belonged to the Presbyterian church.
- Third largest church in Ireland.
- Most of the members are found in, what is today, Northern Ireland.
- The majority of records cannot be accessed online. Most of the records are available at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, or individual congregations. Records start in the 1800s.
- See Ireland Presbyterian Church Records for more information.
Online Records
- 1701-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Births & Baptisms at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Down
- 1702-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Marriages at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Down
- 1702-1731, 1895: Ireland, Non-Conformist Burials at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Down
- Ireland Church Records at IrishGenealogy.ie
- Search All Ireland Records at RootsIreland.ie ($)
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has an extensive collection of microfilmed church records. See A Guide to Church Records for their holdings and years covered. These records are only available onsite.
Other Religions
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Methodist
Historically, about 1% of Ireland was Methodist.
- Fourth largest church in Ireland.
- Most of the members are found in, what is today, Northern Ireland.
- Methodism was introduced to Ireland in the mid-1700s.
- The majority of records have not been digitized but are mainly in the custody of individual churches and congregations. Records can mainly be obtained through correspondence with individual ministers.
- See Ireland Methodist Church Records for more information.
Online Records
- 1701-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Births & Baptisms at FindMyPast ($) - limited
- 1702-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Marriages at FindMyPast ($) - limited
- Search All Ireland Records at RootsIreland.ie ($)
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has an extensive collection of microfilmed church records. See A Guide to Church Records for their holdings and years covered. These records are only available onsite.
Society of Friends (Quakers)
Historically, less than 1% of Ireland belonged to the Society of Friends.
- Most were found in the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, and Munster.
- Records start in the mid-1600s.
- See Ireland Quaker Records for more information.
Online Records
- Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births at FindMyPast ($)
- Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Marriages at FindMyPast ($)
- Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Deaths at FindMyPast ($)
- Search All Ireland Records at RootsIreland.ie ($)
Independent
Historically, less than 1% of Ireland was Independent (also known as Congregationalist).
- The first Independent church was formed in Ireland in the early 1800s.
- Because each congregation is independent and autonomous, records are mainly in the custody of individual congregations. Records may be obtained through correspondence with individual ministers.
Baptist
Historically, less than 1% of Ireland was Baptist.
- The first Baptist churches in Ireland were formed in the mid-1600s.
- Most Baptist records have not been digitized; records are likely kept by individual churches or in local archives and libraries.
Non-Conformist (general)
Non-Conformists are Protestants who do not belong with the Church of Ireland. There were a limited number of non-conformists in Ireland.
Online Records
- 1701-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Births & Baptisms at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Clare, Down, Dublin, Limerick
- 1702-1913: Ireland, Non-Conformist Marriages at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Clare, Down, Dublin, Limerick
- 1702-1731, 1895: Ireland, Non-Conformist Burials at FindMyPast ($) - limited to County Down, Dublin