Join an Irish family tree research society or local history group

Irish family tree research can be a lonely hunt. Some of us like it that way. Some would love to meet up with other like-minded folks (even if only in cyberspace) who understand the frustrations and the fun of searching for ancestors.

Quite apart from enjoying the company, Irish genealogy societies and groups may have useful resources which members can access. Often, they publish booklets on specialised subjects or regular society journals containing well-documented articles on important areas of Irish family tree research.

There are not any genealogy groups, as such, in the Republic of Ireland. However, there is a well-developed network of local history (as opposed to family history) societies and these will sometimes hold small but pertinent databases or records of outstanding potential.

For example, through the Slane Historical Society (co. Meath) I found a searchable online database of a local bishop's 'census' of 1805. In this, I discovered a large family of Doolittles. Naming patterns and ages suggested they were connected to 'my' Doolittles in Wicklow Town. I haven't yet proved the connection but, thanks to the Slane Historical Society I've found another lead worth following up.

Whether or not you live in Ireland, consider joining one of these local groups. They may provide the key to finding long-lost ancestors and really help move along your Irish family tree research.

While the Republic doesn't have dedicated genealogy societies, Northern Ireland does. It has twelve, and all of them are branches of the North of Ireland Family History Society whose web address is below.

If you don't live in Ireland, you may also like to consider becoming a member of one of the international societies that concentrate on Irish genealogy.

The list below is not by any means exhaustive. If you know of other local history or genealogy groups that invite new members, I'd love to know about them (see below).

In Republic of Ireland

• Irish Family History Society: PO Box 36, Naas, co. Kildare. http://homepage.eircom.net/~ifhs/.
• North of Ireland Family History Society: www.nifhs.org.
• (Irish Family History Foundation (IFHF) is the body responsible for the island's genealogy centres and their computerisation. It is not a membership group.)

Co. Carlow

• Old Carlow Society: Ms Rose Murphy, 38 Kennedy Street, Carlow, co. Carlow.
• Tullowphelim Historical Society: Mr John Keogh, 56, Dubklin Road, Tullow, co. Carlow.

Co. Dublin

• Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society: www.dun-laoghaire.com/dir/history.html.

Co. Cork

• Bandon Local History Society/Cumann Seanchais Banndan:Hon. Secretary, Bawnishal, Hare Hill, Bandon, co. Cork.
• Castlemagner Historical Society: www.iol.ie/~edmo.
• Skibbereen & District Historical Society: www.skibbereen.ie/historical_society.

Co. Donegal

• Donegal Historical Society: http://donegalhistory.com.

Co. Kildare

• County Kildare Archaeological Society: Mr Greg Connelly, Newington House, Christianstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Co. Meath

• Meath Archaelogical & Historical Society: http://community.meath.ie/mahs.
• Slane Historical Society: http://community.meath.ie/slane.

Co. Monaghan

• Clogher Historical Society: www.clogherhistory.ie.

Co. Offaly (previously known as King's County)

• Offaly History & Archaeological Society: www.offalyhistory.com

Co. Tipperary

• Co. Tipperary Historical Society: www.tipperarylibraries.ie.
• Fethard Historical Society: http://fethard.com.

In Northern Ireland

• North of Ireland Family History Society: www.nifhs.org.uk

Worldwide

UK

• Irish Genealogical Research Society: www.igrsoc.org (also has Ireland branch).

USA

• The Irish Ancestral Research Association :www.tiara.ie.

Please contact me if you know of more Irish family tree research groups, local history societies or relevant membership associations.

Ireland's Heritage Centres differ in what they offer. Some offer resources for Irish family tree research. Some only offer the services of Irish genealogy professionals. More information, addresses and websites will be added here shortly.

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