Saturday 16 March 2013

Free access to directories on Irish Origins: be quick

Irish Origins is offering free access to its collection of Irish directories. Don't hang about; the offer expires at midnight (GMT) on 18 March.

To take advantage of the offer, you'll need to register (or Login if you're an existing Origins subscriber).

Directories can be an excellent resource, supplying information not readily available elsewhere; they are often the only source that actually states someone’s exact occupation. A will may describe them as a merchant, whereas the directory will identify them as an ironmonger, grocer or wine merchant etc. Precise address and parish of residence are also commonly given. The only classes absent from these directories are the most disadvantaged: small tenant-farmers, landless labourers and servants.

The directories in this collection cover the period 1845 to 1900 and contain a tremendous amount of information regarding the local day-to-day activities and services for local Ireland. These include postal and coach times, names of local government and church officers, details of festivals and fairs, state of the weather, rising and setting of the sun, time of high-water, and the distance and timings between the towns of Ireland.