Tuesday 17 January 2012

Were any of your ancestors Freemen of Dublin?

FindMyPast Ireland has today released a directory of the Freemen of Dublin City 1774-1824.

This directory derives from a nineteenth century printer’s galley which never reached publication.

The list covers almost 6000 men admitted to the Freedom of the City of Dublin between 1774 and 1824. It is predominately made up of tradesmen and craftsmen, including makers of furniture, silver and clocks but also includes masters of other branches of the fine and applied arts so it will be of interest to all family historians whose ancestors were artisans or tradesmen in the city.

Men were admitted to the Freedom of Dublin City in a number of ways. The abbreviations used in the directory are as follows:

B = Birth (signifying the eldest surviving son of a freeman)
S = Service (i.e. having duly served apprenticeship to a Dublin freeman of the relevant trade)
G.E. = Grace Especial (i.e. by special request, favour or recommendation)
Gratis = admitted by special arrangement and without payment of fees

NOTE: An earlier collection, with records from 1461-1491 and 1564-1774, is known as the Ancient Freemen of Dublin and can be searched free of charge at Dublin Heritage.