Tuesday 28 May 2013

Irish Origins adds Pettigrew & Oulton directories

Irish Origins has added to its collection of Irish Directories with the upload of Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin Almanack & General Register of Ireland for 1835-37, 1839, 1841, and 1843-45.

These directories include street lists supplemented by alphabetical lists of individuals, making it possible to track an individual around the city; this is an important feature because changes of address were much more frequent in the 19th century, when the common practice was to rent rather than purchase.

Pettigrew & Oulton also recorded officers of virtually every Dublin institution, club and society, as well as clergy of all denominations. Coverage extended outside Dublin, noting the names of many officials, administrators and clergy in large towns. This is particularly useful for areas which were not served by a local directory, or for which none has survived.

Just as importantly these directories contain a tremendous amount of information on day-to-day activities and services, giving an insight into the life our ancestors knew.