Digitisation of 1901 and 1911 census records is underway

Ireland's census records have always presented family history reseachers with one major problem – the lack of a name index. So the best Irish genealogy news in years came in 2005 with the announcement of a collaboration between the National Archives in Dublin (NAI) and Library & Archives Canada to digitise, index and publish (for free) both these censuses.
Brick tenements in Dublin

This huge task involves digitising more than 3000 microfilm reels and it was probably no great surprise when the scheduled date (March 2007) for the first free census records to appear was missed.

It seemed a long wait but when the 1911 returns for Dublin, fully indexed by name and townland or street, were published online in December 2007, all was forgiven!

In addition to a fully searchable index for each name or address recorded, the new website provides access to images of the original household manuscripts plus an excellent photogallery and an essay library of life in Dublin at that time. This is a great bonus for anyone searching for Irish ancestors who lived in the capital region. And all absolutely free.

Latest news on digitisation

On 22 December 2008 the National Archives of Ireland released the 1911 census records (plus historical photos and essays) for counties Antrim, Down and Kerry. Although at least six months late, this tranche of online returns was warmly welcomed.

The ambitious digitisation project has been beset by delays since it was first announced. The first returns, for Dublin, went online in December 2007, much delayed but enthusiastically received. There followed a protracted period when the procurement of contractors brought the digitisation work for the rest of Ireland to a halt.

By July 2008, it appeared these problems had been resolved and contractors appointed, and the order of future releases (see below) was announced. Again, the intended dates of publication slipped but NAI have confirmed their commitment to completing the project in 2009. The 1911 returns should be online by the end of July. The returns for 1901 are expected to be placed online in one fell swoop at the end of 2009.