Wednesday 20 July 2011

New from Ireland Genealogy Project Archives

Here's details of the records added to Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives in the first two weeks of this month.

GENERAL IRELAND  - Cemetery
Kings, Gloucestershire Irish Burials.

CLARE - Land
Vol. 20, Property of William Vesey F. HICKMAN, Esq - Lot 3 (Gortleavan, Cappahard)
Vol. 20, Property of William Vesey F. HICKMAN, Esq - Lot 4 (Gaurus)
Vol. 20, Property of William Vesey F. HICKMAN, Esq - Lot 5  & 6 (Knockanoura & Ballymacalla)

DERRY/LONDONDERRY - Military & Constabulary
Londonderry Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

DUBLIN  - Headstones
Glasnevin Cemetery
Deansgrange Cemetery Section Part 4
Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin Parts 25 & 26

GALWAY - Land
>Encumbered Estates, Lands of William Vesey F. HICKMAN, Esq - Lot 2 (Knockanecarragh)

OFFALY (KINGS)  - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary - Kings 1844

KERRY  - Military & Constabulary Records
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

KILKENNY  - Military
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

KILDARE  - Military
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

LEITRIM - Church & Military
MAGAURAN Marriages
Royal Irish Constabulary with a natuve county of Leitrim

LIMERICK
  - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

LONGFORD - Military
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844

SLIGO - Land Records
Encumbered Estate property of ROBERT JONES, Esq. (Coogue) 1854
Encumbered Estate of THOMAS HOWLEY - Lot 1 (Quigue also Coogue) 1851
Encumbered Estate of JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSTON, et al - Lot 2 (Correa, Drumcondra, Cartrontaylor & Knockbrinagher) 1858    
Encumbered Estate of THOMAS HOWLEY - Lot 3 (Owenbeg) 1851?    
Encumbered Estate of ROBERT JONES, Esq. (Ardnaree - now in Mayo) 1854
Encumbered Estatae of ROBERT JONES, Esq (Knockacullen, Carrowenrush, Alternan Park & Doonalton) 1854
Encumbered Estate property of ROBERT JONES, Esq. (Knockacullen) 1854
Encumbered Estate property of ROBERT JONES, Esq. (Cuskernagh & Comcuill) 1854
Encumbered Estate property of ROBERT JONES, Esq. (Fortland) 1854

TIPPERARY  - Military
Royal Irish Constabulary 1844


Irish Genealogy Toolkit is the Research Help partner of Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives

Monday 18 July 2011

Yet more delays from IrishGenealogy.ie

The latest update from the state-funded IrishGenealogy.ie website contains news of yet more frustrating delays:

'Roman Catholic records of Baptism, Marriage and Burial for Dublin City, County Cork (Diocese of Cork and Ross) and County Monaghan (Diocese of Clogher) including images of the records will be added to the Church records already available on this website in September. Further information will be posted closer to the actual launch date, apologies for the delay in the addition of these records to the website.'

What the hell's going on? How is it that in May they say 'June'; in June they say 'July'; and now in July they say 'September'?

Piss ups and breweries come to mind.

Thursday 14 July 2011

Certificate of Irish Heritage live by October

The Certificate of Irish Heritage should be operational by October, according to a statement by Eamon Gilmore, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade.

He said the scheme was being established in response to a strong demand from members of the diaspora who are not entitled to Irish citizenship. "I believe that the scheme will provide a practical demonstration of the inclusive approach adopted by successive Governments to our diaspora.

"The Certificate of Irish Heritage will give official recognition to the many people worldwide who are conscious of their Irish heritage and feel a strong affinity for Ireland. It will not, however, confer any citizenship or other legal rights or entitlements to the successful applicants."

Full details for how the scheme will operate are not yet available but the Minister explained that those applying for the Certificate of Irish Heritage would have to submit comprehensive details of their Irish ancestry, together with relevant documentation to show their connection with Ireland.

Contract negotiations with FexCo, the county Kerry company who won the tender to operate the scheme on behalf of the Government, have been completed and the Certificate should be officially launched in about three months.

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Good news and bad news

I suppose I should ask whether you want the good news or the bad news first. But I won't. In the spirit of optimism, I'll dive straight in with some good news for those with Dublin ancestors.

FindMyPast.ie has released two more excellent resources: The Post Office Annual Directory 1843 (650 pages) and Calendar 1858 (700 pages). These directories are extremely rare and valuable sources of information for anyone researching their Dublin ancestors.

The directories list all the institutions you'd expect in the capital and its surrounding county: government, military, religious, educational, medical, legal and police establishments, plus the usual ranks of nobility, gentry, merchants and traders of the city.

There are also listings for many of the professionals, including legal and medical, and senior staff at Trinity and the College of Maynooth.

An added bonus comes in detailed descriptions of suburban towns and villages of 19th-century Dublin.

And so to the bad news. It seems the project to digitise the Tithe Applotment Books is seriously delayed. Of course, it was already obvious there had been some kind of hitch because they were originally expected to be released in the spring (April, if my memory serves me correctly), but the announcement suggests it's going to be some time before this early resource will be online.

While the Tithe Applotment Books are held by the National Archives of Ireland, the digitisation process is being carried out by Family Search, the genealogy team of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Utah. Apparently, the indexing project has so far completed only 40% of the documents, so it could be months before this resource is available to all on the Internet. (In the meantime, they are available on microfilm at the NAI in Dublin and at PRONI, and you can find out more about the genealogical value of the Tithe Applotment Books here.)

Saturday 9 July 2011

This week's releases and launches

The last seven days has brought some interesting new online releases from genealogy databases and a little flurry of launches, all adding to what's starting to look like another very good year for Irish genealogy resources.

New records first.

FindMyPast.ie has released more than 80,000 records from the 1899 edition of Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland. It contains detailed genealogies of all the toffs in Ireland, including Irish landowners and those merchants and professionals who aspired to high status.

For the overwhelming majority of us with Irish heritage, this doesn't, at first glance, appear to have much genealogical relevance since most of our ancestors were not from this social class.

However, there is potentially great value in this source because the genealogies within it are extensive and pick up all collateral lines, junior branches and in-laws, many of whom would have been of more modest means.

Also from FindMyPast.ie comes the release of the Register of Derry Cathedral. This was published by the Parish Register Society of Dublin in 1910 and comprises the baptisms, marriages and burials for the parish of Templemore, which included Derry City, from 1642 to 1703.

With some 10,000 BMD records, this is an extremely useful source for those tracing family in Derry, as well as providing an insight in to the history of parish records in Derry Cathedral.

Ireland-Genealogy.ie, the recently rebranded and revamped version of Pensear.org, has completed the transcription of its Armagh records. The transcriptions relate to data gleaned from the 1841 and 1851 censuses before their destruction. In the absence of birth certifcates dating back 70+ years, the data was used as evidence of age to support pension applications when the Old Age Pension was introduced in the early 20th century.

And now for three launches.

The National Centre for Emigration History was officially opened yesterday in New Ross, co Wexford. The €2.6 million interactive centre features a state-of-the-art exhibition on the story of Irish emigration, plus a genealogical resource for visitors hoping to trace their Irish heritage. Four times larger than the well-established original Visitor Centre on the site, it is located on the River Barrow quayside next to the replica Dunbrody Famine Ship.

The centre also features the Irish America Hall of Fame which “honours the lives, works and achievements” of the diaspora in the United States.

The National Library of Ireland launched a blog yesterday. With a beautiful design and a breezy style, it's one that's worth bookmarking and checking in with on a regular basis. Let's hope it will soon be bringing news of where and when its collectin of RC parish registers can be viewed online.

A further launch is that of the Little Museum in Dublin. Okay, it hasn't happened yet, but its planning is now well developed and a great location has been found at 15 St Stephens Green, so it should become a reality later this summer.

This new non-profit museum will tell the story of Dublin in the 20th Century, and the public is being urged to donate or lend items to its collection. You can find out more about the type of artefacts the museum is looking for on the website.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Hello and Goodbye at the National Library

It's all change at the National Library in Kildare Street this month. The shop, from which I've bought many an excellent book in the past, is to close at the end of next week.

Judging by the roaring trade it was doing today when I made a last nostaligic visit, its shelves will be empty before it shuts the door for the final time. Serious reductions are on offer. I bought two beautiful softbacks of photographs from the Library's own collections for just €1.50 (for the two!), and I couldn't resist a half dozen black and white postcards depicting famous front page photographs of the early 20th century. A snip at just 30c each. Oh, and a National Library of Ireland pencil for 10p. It'll be a collector's piece one day, you mark my words.

Having said farewell, I crossed the landing to say hello to Bronwyn Bailey and Michael O'Malley who took over the Library's cafe just yesterday.

Between them, Bronwyn and Michael bring more than 20 years of catering experience to Cafe Joly and their intention to offer fresh and interesting food is already apparent.

Bronwyn explained their approach to menu selection: "I've always thought it a bit disappointing to find a national institution not promoting national food, so we'll be showcasing some of the best Irish foods."

On the menu today was a plate of Irish artisan cheeses, some wonderfully colourful salads (including a beautiful watermelon, feta and olive combo), homemade mushroom soup, a selection of pastries and a good selection of teas.

It would have been churlish to not sample their appealing menu so I ordered slow-roasted spiced shoulder of lamb in a ciabatta bun. It came with a selection of mixed salad leaves in a mint dressing, and Joly tasty it was, too. Happy to recommend it to anyone who's researching at the Library or in the vicinity.

Sunday 3 July 2011

Celebrate Independence Day with Irish Origins

To celebrate Independence Day, Irish Origins is offering a 25% discount on all new subscriptions until 10 July.

The dedicated Irish-records channel of Origins includes access to Military records, the best online version of Griffiths Valuation, Tithe Defaulters, Memorials of the Dead inscriptions, Passenger lists, Wills indexes and several other resources.

Subscriptions are available for 72-hour, monthly and annual access.

Simply enter the code 4July2011 in the Promotional Code box on the Sign Up or Checkout page once you have chosen your subscription. This offer (same promo code) is also available on the Scots Origins and British Origins channels.

Recent additions to IGP Archives

Please see below a list of new resources updated last month on Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives:

GENERAL IRELAND - Education
Alumni Dublineses - additional

ANTRIM - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Antrim, 1844

ARMAGH - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Armagh, 1844

CARLOW - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Carlow, 1844

CAVAN - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Cavan, 1844

CLARE - Military & Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Clare, 1844

CORK - Military and Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Cork. 1844

DOWN - Military and Constabulary
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of DOWN 1844

DONEGAL - Military & Constabulary
RIC Enlistments, Natives of Co. Donegal, 1844

DUBLIN - Headstones
Mount Jerome - Part 23 & 24
Glasnevin Cemetery, Part One,
Deansgrange Cemetery, North Section Part 3

DUBLIN
- Military
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Dublin, 1844

FERMANAGH - Military & Church Records
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Fermanagh, 1844
Ballinamallard Methodist Church - Births recorded 1879-1919 and marriages 1882-1937

KERRY - Headstones
Kilgobbin Church Of Ireland, Near Camp, Kerry, Ireland - Quirke (partial)

LEITRIM - Land
In the Matter of the Estate of JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSTON et al, Lot No. 1, 1858

LIMERICK - Photos
Spillane, Peter 1900 - Ancestory photo

LONGFORD - Church & Cemetery Records
Deaths in the Parishes of Templemichael and Ballymacormick 1802-1810 (updated
to 1810)
Ardagh, St. Patrick's, (Church of Ireland), Drumlish Old Cemetery 2002

MONAGHAN
- Military & Cemetery
Royal Irish Constabulary with native county of Monaghan 1846 (partial)
Abbey Graveyard, Clones

SLIGO - Land Records & Cemetery
Encumbered Estate of THOMAS HOWLEY - Lot 1 (Quigue)
Encumbered Estate of JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSTON, AND SEVERAL OTHERS - Lot 2
(Correa)
Encumbered Estate of THOMAS HOWLEY - Lot 3 (Owenbeg)
Ballymote Carrowanty Cemetery
Ballymote Churchyard of the Immaculate Conception
Collooney Cemetery 2006Gurteen Cemetery 2001
Templeronan Cemetery, 2004

TIPPERARY - Photos & Newspapers
Butler, James 1900 (Ancestor Photo)
Insolvents in Ireland - Tipperary 1836

WESTMEATH - Cemetery
St. Feichin Churchyard: New Cemetery and Old Cemetery, Fore, Co. Westmeath

WEXFORD Miscellaneous & Church
Freemen who registered to vote in March 1835, pt 1, A-W
Some Abstracts from Parish Registers of Taghmon, Wexford - mostly CARTY

Irish Genealogy Toolkit is the Research Help partner of Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives.

Saturday 2 July 2011

July events for your diary

Monday 4 July to Saturday 23 July: Súil Charad, an exhibition and booklet on Irish language publications for over 200 years, on display in Derry Central Library, 35 Foyle Street. Tel: 028 7127 2310.

Wednesday 6 July
: Hidden Connections - Ulster and Slavery 1807-2007. Exhibition examining Ulster's role in the dark and murky world of the Atlantic slave trade. Launch 6pm. Free to public but reservation recommended. www.linenhall.com. Belfast. Runs to 24 December.

Wednesday 6 July: Queen Elizabeth's Kildare Ancestors, a talk with Seamus Cullen, organised by St Mochua Historical Society, held at the Colley mortuary chapel in the cemetery adjacent to Carbery Castle. Meet at Kelly's of Timahoe 6pm or in church car park 6.30pm. Evening concludes with visit to the O'Flaherty Museum. Free. All welcome. www.kildare.ie.

Sunday 10 July: Field trip to Castlegregory, led by a local historian. Meet at Secondary School car park 2.30pm. Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. www.kerryhistory.ie.

Tuesday 12 July: The Mother's Tale, the second lunchtime talk in the Tales of Medieval Dublin series, with Howard Clarke. Wood Quay Venue, Civic Offices, Dublin. Free. 1.05-1.45pm. www.fmd.ie.

Tuesday 12 July: Dublin Firefighters and the 1941 Belfast Blitz, with James Scannell. Genealogical Society of Ireland lecture at Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, 8pm. www.familyhistory.ie.

Sunday 17 July: The Religions of Glasnevin Tour, with Jade Murphy, examining the beliefs and traditions of those buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. www.glasnevintrust.ie. 3.30pm. €10 with museum visit.

Saturday 23 July: Tour of historical sites in the Reenascreena area with Professor Billy O'Brien. Meet Super Valu car park 2pm. Organised by Dunmanway Historical Society. Tel: (0)23 88 56508.

Sunday 24 July: Trip to Waterville, led by Tom Horgan, local history society founder. Meet at Charlie Chaplin statue on promenade, 2.30pm. Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. www.kerryhistory.ie.