Irish Genealogy

Monday 20 March: Daughter of Laharna, a hybrid meeting with Patricia McNeill. Hosted by North of Ireland FHS, Larne Branch. In-person venue: Larne Museum & Arts Centre, 2 Victoria Rd, Larne. 7:15pm–8:45pm. Free. All welcome. For online link, email [email protected] by 18 March.

Monday 20 March: Traditional Architecture in Offaly – history, materials and furtniture, from 1800, with Rachel McKenna. A hybrid event hosted by Offaly History. In-person venue: Offaly History Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore. All welcome. 8pm. Email info @ offalyhistory.com for Online link.

Tuesday 21 March: National Archives of Ireland closed all day. Reopening 10am on 22nd.

Tuesday 21 March: The Photographic Guild: A circle of Cavan and Monaghan photographers in the 1890s, an online session with Orla Fitzpatrick. Host: PRONI. 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Free. Need to book.

Tuesday 21 March: Where to start your Irish family history research, with Claire Bradley. An in-person workshop hosted by Skerries Library, Strand St, Townparks, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Starts 18:45. Free. All welcome. Booking required. Details.

Tuesday 21 March: Cumann na mBan and women combatants in the Irish Civil War, 1922-23, with Dr John Borgonovo. An in-person event in the Tipperary People and Places series. Host: Tipperary Studies. Venue: The Source Gallery, Cathedral Street, Thurles. 7pm. Refreshments served 6:30pm. All welcome. Free.

Wednesday 22 March: Grangegorman Histories: People Places and Practices, with…

Monday 13 March: Finding Grace, an online event with Maurice Gleeson. Hosted by North of Ireland Family History Society, Newtownabbey Branch. All welcome. 7:00pm–8:30pm. Free. Details.

Monday 13 March: Family History Research at the National Library of Ireland, with Steven Skeldon. An online presentation on using the library’s services and collections . Hosted by the NLI. 3pm to 4pm. Free. All welcome. Need to book.

Monday 13 March: Irish Records, Resources, and Genealogy, a day-seminar presented by the Ulster Historical Foundation and hosted by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. In-person venue: NYGBS, 36 West 44th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA. Also online. 10:00am-4:00pm. Free. All welcome but advance registration essential. Details

Tuesday 14 March: The Merchant, the Quakers and the Enslaved Boy, an online talk with Dr Jonathan Wright. Hosts: North of Ireland Family History Society, Lisburn Branch. 7:30pm–9pm. Free. All welcome. Non-members can email [email protected] for the link.

Tuesday 14 March: Researching your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors, a day seminar with the Ulster Historical Foundation. An in-person event hosted by Michigan City Public Library at 100 E. 4th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA. 9:30am-4pm. Free. Lunch provided. Register here.

Wednesday 15 March: A History of Jewish Dublin, an in-person TeaTime Talk with Donal Fallon and Dr Melanie Brown. Venue: 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. Tickets €3-€5….

RootsIreland has served up a mixed feast of more than 36,000 church records, gravestone inscriptions, will indexes, lists of freeholders, electoral registers, 18th-century lists of Catholic and Protestant heads of households, all for County Limerick.

And that’s not all. There’s more for dessert, as you’ll see from the list below.

• Heads of Catholic and Protestant households in various County Limerick parishes (Tuogh, Clonkeen, Nantinan, Clonagh, Rathkeale, Kilscannell, Croagh and Doondonnell) in 1766 (352 records)
• Abbeyfeale RC baptisms 1901-1915 (1719 records)

• Abbeyfeale RC marriages 1901-1915 (340 records)
• Adare RC marriages 1901-June 1902 (7 records)
• Ardagh RC baptisms 1901-1915 (609 records)
• Ardagh RC marriages 1901-1915 (175 records)
• Ballybricken RC baptisms 1901-1911 (199 records)
• Ballybricken RC marriages 1901-1911 (50 records)
• Bruff RC baptisms 1901-1915 (786 records)
• Bruff RC marriages 1901-1915 (155 records)
• Croom RC baptisms 1901-1915 (545 records)
• Croom RC marriages 1901-1915 (200 records)
• Donaghmore RC baptisms 1901-1915 (408 records)
• Donaghmore RC marriages 1901-1915 (84 records)
• Kilcolman & Coolcappa RC baptisms 1901-1915 (522 records)
• Kilcolman & Coolcappa RC marriages 1901-1915 (109 records)
• Shanagolden RC baptisms 1900-1915 (716 records)
• Shanagolden RC marriages 1900-1915 (199 records)
• Gravestone inscriptions St. John’s Church of Ireland (288 records)
• Gravestone inscriptions St. Munchin’s Church of Ireland I…

Monday 27 February: Revolutionary Routes: The African Diaspora in Ireland, 1830s-1930s, with Dr Maurice J Casey. An online talk; part of the Heritage from Home Series 3 from Libraries NI. Free, and all welcome. Booking is required. Details (scroll down).

Tuesday 28 February: Emigration from the North of Ireland to the Canadian Maritimes, an online event with Dr Paddy Fitzgerald and hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Belfast Branch 7pm – 8:30pm GMT. All welcome. Free. See details.

Tuesday 28 February: Adventures of a ‘Fighting Railway’: the Belfast Central Railway, 1864-1885, a talk and book launch by Robert Phipps. In-person at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, 2 Titanic Boulevard, Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT3 9HQ. 1pm to 2pm. Refreshments served from 12:30pm. Free. All welcome. Booking.

Tuesday 28 February: When the Post Boxes Turned Green, with Cathy Scuffil. A hybrid event from Dublin City Council’s Historian in Residence. In-person at St James’s Church, 53 James Street, Dublin 8. Online via livestream from https://stjamesparish.ie. 6:30pm sharp. Free. All welcome.

Tuesday 28 February: Always in the Human Consciousness’ – Exploring the Memory of Clare’s Revolutionary Period, a hybrid event hosted by the Kilrush and District Historical Society. Venue: Teach Cheoil, Kilrush, Co Clare. 8pm. KDHS lectures are free to members, EUR5 for non-members, payable on the night only. Also available online, free; see…

Monday, 20 February: From Library to Museum: the Story of Larne Museum & Arts Centre, with Marian Kelso. A hybrid event hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Larne Branch. Booking necessary for in-person and online attendance. See details. Free. 7:15pm–8:45pm GMT.

Monday, 20 February: Inspired language: cursing and blessing in early modern Ireland, a hybrid talk with Dr Clodagh Tait. Hosted by Offaly History. In-person venue: Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co Offaly. All are welcome. For online zoom link, email info @ offalyhistory.com. 8pm.

Tuesday, 21 February: With An Artist’s Eye: The Photography of Mary Alice Young of Galgorm Castle, Ballymena. An in-person exhibition launch at PRONI, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast. Refreshments served from 12:30pm. Launch 1pm–2pm. Free. Need to book.

Tuesday 21 February: William Despard Hemphill and his contribution to Irish photography, an in-person talk with Dr Karol Mullaney Dignam. Hosted by Tipperary Studies. Venue: The Source Library, Thurles, Co Tipperary. 7pm. Free. All welcome. Details.

Wednesday 22 February: The Ghost Limb – Alternative Protestants, 1798 and now, by Claire Mitchell. Book launch and discussion. In-person at James Connolly Visitor Centre, 374-376 Falls Rd, Belfast, BT12 6DG. 7pm. Register by email to info @ arasuichonghaile.com.

Thursday 23 February: The Night of the Big Wind, with Peter Carr. A hybrid event hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Ballymena Branch….

The Decade of Centenaries bursary scheme was established to encourage and support new local research and local history studies in meaningful examination of local, regional, and national events during the Struggle for Independence and Civil War period.

Applicants can be from researchers across all career stages, both professional researchers including doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as local historians, independent scholars etc. whose research focuses on a region or locality. The bursaries on offer are for amounts ranging from €1,000 to €10,000.

Typically awards will be made in the region of €5,000-€10,000 but smaller projects will also be considered.

Applications are welcomed which focus on any of the themes listed below:

• New research to explore local legacies, personalities, places, events, and themes that have particular significance within communities, parishes and counties
• New research to explore the fates of the minority communities on both sides of the border following Partition
• New research to explore the contribution and experiences of women during this period, e.g. women’s participation in political, military, professional and domestic roles
• New research exploring Ireland and the Wider World, including local connections, emigration, and the role of the Irish Diaspora in the events that occurred during this period
• Ireland’s admission into the League of Nations and Ireland’s membership of the International Labour Organisation
• New research…

FindMyPast has added two new record sets to its database that may be of interest to Irish family historians, and has an offer on Pay-To-View access to the 1921 Census of England and Wales, which may also be useful for locating ancestors who’d crossed the Irish Sea.

PTV the 1921 Census (E&W)

This was taken in England and Wales while Ireland was still in revolutionary turmoil and many Irish men and women, and families had already made the decision to leave the island in search of work or for the relative safety of post-WW1 Britain. In fact, there were 364,802 Irish born living in England and Wales when the census was taken – a figure equating to one-twelth of the total 1911 population of Ireland.

If you don’t currently have a FindMyPast Premium subscription – the only package that includes access to this census – or a PRO subscription (see below) it may be worth taking advantage of a half price discount on the Pay-To-View (PTV) option.

PTV access via FindMyPast.ie: Seach the 1921 Census by person or address.

PTV access via FindMyPast.co.uk: Seach the 1921 Census by person or address.

PTV access via FindMyPast.com: Seach the 1921 Census by person or address.

If you have a PRO subscription, your 10% discount to view this census collection will be increased to 50% for the duration of the offer, which will expire at 11:59pm GMT on Tuesday 28 February 2023

New additions

Civil Service Commission Appointments, Promotions and Transfers 1871-1942 Added today to the…

Monday, 13 February: Fluid Identities in South Antrim 1600 – To Present Day, with Dr Gerry Cleary. A hybrid event hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Newtownabbey Branch. All welcome. Free. 7pm. Details, for both online and in-person attendance..

Monday, 13 February: From Clare to Here: Memories of the Men who built Britain, with Ultan Cowley. An online talk; part of the Heritage from Home Series 3 from Libraries NI. Free, and all welcome. Booking is required. Details (scroll down).

Monday 13 February: The Civil War in the Limerick/Tipperary border area, with John Flannery. Host: Newport Historical Society. An in-person event. 8pm. Venue: O’Sullivans Lounge, Black Rd, Newport, Co. Tipperary. All welcome.

Tuesday 14 February: Mapping and Researching the Cillíní (unconsecrated children’s burial grounds) of Ireland, with Courtney Mundt. An in-person event hosted by the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society. Venue: Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow Town. 8pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Tuesday 14 February: Ethical Dilemmas in Genealogy, with Dr Penny Walters. An online event hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Lisburn Branch. All welcome. Non-members should email for zoom link: Lisburn @nifhs.org. 7:30pm. Free. Details.

Tuesday 14 February: Fell Down, Slipped in, Knocked down, with James Scannell presenting a recap of accidents that made the press in Dalkey in the late C19th and early C20th. Hosted online by…

Monday, 6 February: St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday in the Republic of Ireland. All repositories closed.

Monday, 6 February: Unearthing the Treasures in the Registry of Deeds, with Natalie Bodle. A hybrid meeting hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Foyle Branch. All welcome. Free. 7pm–8:30pm GMT. Details.

Monday 6 February: The Lifeboats of Dundrum Bay, with Barbara Lomas. An in-person event hosted by the North of Ireland Family History Society’s Killyleagh Branch. Venue: Masonic Hall, 50 High Street, Killyleagh, Co Down, BT30 9QF. All welcome. Free 8pm. Details.

Wednesday 8 February: Britishness and Commemoration, with Jenny Macleod. An online event hosted by the Antrim and Down branch of the Western Front Association and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. 7pm to 8pm GMT. Booking essential. All welcome.

Thursday 9 February: From Ribbon Gangs to Mayors – The Irish in Gateshead to 1945, with Steve Shannon. An in-person event hosted by Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN, UK. 6:30pm. All welcome. £3. Need to book at Eventbrite

Thursday 9 February: An Bhean Feasa – the Wise Woman in Irish folklore, with Niamh Ni Locheann. An in-person event. Part of Julian Walton’s Winter Lecture Series. Venue: Dunhill Multi-Education Centre, Dunhill Enterprise Park, Ballyphilip. Dunhill, Co Waterford. 7:30pm. Light refreshments served. All welcome. Free.

Thursday 9 February: An introduction to research in the National…

The Ulster Historical Foundation‘s annual Lecture Tour of North America will be back on the road again in 2023, with a workshop and seminar programme that takes in Idaho, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia in the United States, followed by a final full-day research day in Ontario, Canada.

It starts on Thursday 9 March in Idaho and ends on Saturday 25 March in Ottawa.

Preliminary arrangements are below and are subject to change. For more information see the Foundation’s website or follow the links provided.

Thursday 9 March: Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene ID – Discover your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors, hosted by Jan Clizer Painting & Ulster Historical Foundation. Venue: Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N William St, Post Falls, ID 83854. 9am–4pm. Standard Fee: $50. Details here for contacts, booking and discounted fees.

Saturday 11 March: Boston MA – Finding Your Ancestors in Irish Church Records, hosted by New England Historic Genealogical Society in partnership with TIARA. Venue: Gasson Hall, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. 9am–4pm. Fee: $120. Registration and details.

Sunday 12 March: Fairfield, CT – Event hosted by Fréamh Éireann Genealogy Group at the Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, 10am–2:30pm. Main contact Robert C. Abercrombie at [email protected], telephone 203 913-0403. Cost: $20. More details and contacts.

Monday 13 March: New York…