Irish Genealogy News
► Rolling news in brief for Irish family historians
Get Started
► Genealogy for beginners. A guide to researching your family history in Ireland
► Two free blank genealogy forms to help you decide on your initial research direction
► Some strategies for finding the origin – the townland or county – of your Irish ancestry
► You say Irish geneology, I say Irish genealogy. That third vowel causes a lot of problems!
► Finding family history stories – preparation for interviews
► Family history interviews – Etiquette
► Suggested questions for family history interviews with relatives
► The Fire of 1922 – 'All the Irish records burned' – myth or fact?
Next Steps
► Explore the possibilities for taking your Irish family history research a stage further
► My top ten free Irish genealogy websites
► My top five not-so-free Irish genealogy databases
► The best genealogy websites for tracing Irish ancestry in the North of Ireland
Census Records
► An overview and history of Irish census taking
► 1821-1851 Irish census fragments and transcriptions
► Very few census records survive from 1861-1891
► The 1901 census – its value and where to find the records
► The 1901 census – detailed information on what the census forms recorded
► The 1911 census of Ireland is now online - free census records don't come any better
► The digitisation and online release of the 1901 and 1911 census returns
► A blank form to help you transcribe details from the 1901 all-Ireland census
► Use this blank 1911 census form to transcribe details
► 18th century religious census records and surveys
► Irish pension records can be used as 1841/1851 census substitutes
► 1926 Irish census - when will it be released?
Church Records
► Irish church records: Part 1 - an Overview
► Irish church records: Part 2 - where to find Irish church registers
► Tracing Irish Protestant ancestors in Church of Ireland records, Part 1
► Tracing
Irish Protestant ancestors in Church of Ireland records, Part 2
► Your Irish ancestry search using Methodist baptism and marriage records
► Irish Quakers, history and where to find Quaker genealogy records
► Sources for Roman Catholic baptism, marriage and burial records
► Using the National Library of Ireland's Irish Roman Catholic Parish Registers site
► Some help with translating Latin in Irish Catholic parish records
► Finding Irish Presbyterian baptism, marriage and burial registers
Civil Registration
► An overview of the Irish civil registration system and a summary step by step guide to using it
► A list of Ireland's civil registration districts in county order
► Northern Ireland civil registration records
► Irish civil registration indexes, Part 2 - Detailed descriptions of online and offline resources for searching the indexes
► Ireland's birth records – what information they contain and where to access them
► Irish marriage records
- what information they contain and where to access them
► Irish death records - what information they contain and where to access them
►Tips for searching IrishGenealogy.ie
Place of Origin
► Strategies for finding your ancestral townland of origin – Part I
► Strategies for finding your ancestral townland of origin – Part II
► When you know the county but not the townland where your Irish ancestry originates
► Irish land divisions ie provinces, poor law unions, parishes explained
► Details about the counties of Ireland A-D, Antrim to Dublin
► Fermanagh to Louth, some details about Irish counties E-L
► Get to know the counties in Ireland M-S, Mayo to Sligo
► Get to know the counties in Ireland T-W, Tipperary to Wicklow
► Website recommendations for learning about your ancestor's townland, town or county
Societies & Groups
► A list of local history groups and Irish family tree research societies in Ireland and abroad
► The best genealogy sites specialising in local records
Land & Property
► An introduction to land and property records in Ireland – genealogy gems
► Tithe Applotment Books : a great source for locating pre-Famine rural ancestors
► An indepth study of pages of Richard Griffith's Primary Valuation of Ireland
► How Griffith's Valuation can progress your mid-19th century research
► The genealogical value of the Landed Estates Court Rentals collection
► Griffiths Valuation books used by enumerators. Also known as Field Books
► Revision Books, also known as Cancelled Books, tell the story of a property, and often a family, through to the 20th century
Emigration
► Irish emigration: a
brief history of 17th- and 18th-century emigration; American Wake
► Emigation from Ireland in the 19th-century; social consequences
► The immigration ships were so unhealthy and unsafe that they earned the nickname 'coffin ships'
► US immigration records: a summary of what's available and where to find it
► Irish American history: the early years to 1845
► Where to find Canadian immigration records and details of Canadian naturalisation
► Irish immigration to America: 1846 to the 20th century
► The journey to Ellis Island, New York
► Use these great tips to get the best from the Ellis Island Immigration Records database
► An overview of Irish immigration to Britain from the 18th century to the early 20th century
► An overview of Irish immigration to England from the 18th century to the early 20th century
► An overview of Irish immigration to Scotland during the 19th century
DNA
► A brief look at each of the three main types of dna test used for genealogy research
► How a paternity dna test (y-dna ancestry test) can help extend your family tree
► 'Deep ancestry' or mitochondrial dna testing help you discover your ancient origins
► Layman's dna facts for genealogy researchers
► Surname projects and their value genealogically
► Niall of the Nine Hostages: The Big Daddy of Ireland?
► At home DNA tests for ancestry research or curiosity
Law & Court Records
► What the Irish prison registers may reveal about your ancestors
► A brief history of the Irish prisons system
Insight
► Interview features with the custodians (or other 'keeper-officials') of Irish genealogy resources
► Wicklow Family History: Welcome to the Garden's Centre
► Dunmanway Heritage Centre: a little gem for anyone with ancestors from the heart of West Cork
A-Z & 'Shop'
► An A-Z of resources and notes to aid your Irish genealogy search
► Want to buy the best family tree software for your needs? Things to think about before buying family history programs
► The best pay-to-view online databases of historical Irish newspapers
► The best free Irish newspaper archives, offline and online
► All the current special offers and discounts for Irish genealogy records and services
► A 150-page ebook noting Irish family history records released from 2011 to 2023
► Irish burial records, funeral registers, death and funeral announcements, headstone transcriptions, burial ground surveys etc.
► My top ten free Irish genealogy websites
► Two free blank genealogy forms to help you decide on your initial research direction
► A blank form to help you transcribe details from the 1901 all-Ireland census
► Use this blank 1911 census form to transcribe details
► The full menu of free family history forms available on Irish Genealogy Toolkit
► Use a family tree worksheet to prompt your exploration of your ancestor's life
► Use these family tree forms to keep family units together
► Known as a Pedigree chart, this free printable genealogy form covers six generations
► Choose a family tree template from Toolkit's exclusive range
► Ready to fill in, here's a free printable family tree chart for four generations of one family
► Choose these blank family trees for stylish keepsakes
► In portrait shape, this free printable blank family tree template comes in sepia or original colours
► These free family trees records three generations of two families on one sheet. Three versions
► A printable blank family tree on which to record four generations of two families. Three versions
Maps
► A Northern Ireland map and details of the modern and historical population of Northern Ireland
► A colourful County map of Ireland, free to download and print
► A history of Irish names and an explanation of Irish naming conventions
► Irish last names: a short history and explanation of the Mac and O' surnames of Ireland
► The top 20 most common Irish surnames, meanings and geographical spread
► Ten more Irish family names with origins and meanings
► Irish first names in 1864 – the year civil registration was introduced
► The 100 top Irish boy names in the Republic in 2020
► Modern Irish girls names, 2020
► Irish boys names, from Aed to Donal
► From Eamonn to Muirchertach, traditionally male Irish names
► Irish baby boy names from Naoise to Tomaltach
► What was the most popular Northern Irish name in 2012?
► Irish girls names A to D, their meaning, history and usage
► Girls names E to M show how Irish baby girl names allude to fiercely strong women
► Names N to Z include many of the internationally best-known Irish female names
► The history of traditional Irish names from their origin as Celtic names to their modern revival
Saint Patrick
► The history of St Patrick – the real life behind the legends
► Shamrocks, fires, blackbirds and snakes - the colourful legend of Saint Patrick
► How did St Patrick's Day become such an excuse for a party?
Irish Crafts
► Irish crafts tell us more about the world our ancestors lived in
► Aran sweaters – the truth behind this well-known item of Irish knitwear
► Aran sweaters – the symbolism of the stitches
► Irish Linen – how Ireland earned the internationally recognised mark of quality
► Irish Linen – the dirty work that transforms the flax plant into beautiful soft fabric
► The difference between single and double damask fabric
Irish Symbols
► Irish symbols are a shorthand for 'Ireland'
► The Shamrock plant – forever Irish
► The history and symbolism of the flag of Ireland
► This Irish coffee recipe promises a warm glass of luxury
► The history of claddagh rings – the famous Irish rings consisting of hands, heart and crown – dates back to the 17th century
► The Irish Celtic Cross – These ancient Celtic symbols remain popular signs of Irish heritage
► The Celtic High Cross: the oldest high crosses in Ireland are decorated with spirals, geometric patterns and Celtic trinity symbols
► Introduction to Molly Malone, with lyrics from the famous song
► The origin of Halloween lies in Celtic Ireland
► The story of the Jack O Lantern. The origin of trick or treating.
► The 'evil' leprechaun is probably the best known of the Irish fairies
Irish Recipes
► A menu of traditional Irish food recipes
► This Irish coffee recipe promises a warm glass of luxury
► An unfussy Irish whiskey cake recipe, great for afternoon tea
► This Baileys cake is full of taste and easy to make
► The best and easiest Baileys Irish cream cheesecake
Christmas & Seasonal Traditions
► The most popular and widely practised Irish Christmas traditions
► How the four most important days of Christmas in Ireland are celebrated
► Some traditional Irish Christmas recipes for your family to enjoy
► Fasting, eggs and dancing... some Irish Easter traditions
► The origin of Halloween, and other things that go bump in the night, lies in Celtic Ireland
► Lá Lúnasa is held in August and was one of the most popular Celtic holidays