Free immigration records for one week

Ancestry has made its entire collection of immigration records freely available from today for one week.

This is a huge collection with many, many records of interest to those with Irish heritage. There are many gems, so I'll just scatter a few seeds of interest:

• Names of Orphan Children, 1847. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
• Irish Canadian Emigration Records, 1823-1849
• Scots-Irish Migration to South Carolina
• Irish Immigrants: New York Port Arrival Records, 1846-1851
• Irish Emigrants in North America 1775-1825
• New South Wales, Australia, Wives & Children of Irish Convicts, 1825-1840
• New Zealand Naturalisations, 1843-1981

Free access will end at 11.59pm on Monday 5 September.

The week past and the weekend ahead

Find My Past (the UK version, not the Irish one) has a brand new look and has reduced the cost of its subscriptions. The Full 12-month Subscription price has been reduced by £20 to £109.95 while the 6-month subscription is down from £82.95 to £69.95. Prices for the Foundation Subscription (which gives access only to the 1841-1911 censuses and BMDs for England and Wales) have also been reduced. An additional bonus is that subscription renewals will, in future, attract a 10% discount.

This week the LDS church's Family Search finally switched off its pilot site holding the Irish civiil registration indexes and other records. There's now no option but to migrate to the big, unweildy main site for the full range of collections. From the landing page, click Europe and then scroll down to Ireland, Civil Registration Index 1845-1959. The other Irish record collections shown in the menu are largely made up of what used to be known as the IGI and, while useful, need to be approached with some caution; verify any data extracted in these collections as much of it is user-submitted and may not be based on documentary evidence.

While the Dublin Freemen records and the Dublin Graveyards Directory will be officially launched tomorrow by the city's Lord Mayor at Dublin City Library and Archive, these collections have actually been online for some time at the Dublin Heritage site.

Events - Saturday 27th
Genealogy Sources, Castleisland Library, Kerry*
Who Do You Think You Are exhibition, Nass Community Library, Kildare*
Genealogy Workshop, Genealogical Society of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire *

Events - Sunday 28th
Genealogy Workshop, Genealogical Society of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire*
Launch of 'Tracing your Roots in North West Connemara', Clifden, Galway*
The Genealogy Roadshow (TV programme), RTE1, 6.30pm. Filmed at Glenlo Abbey.

*Organised as part of Heritage Week.

10% discount from Find My Past.co.uk

With the new series of the BBC's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' proving as popular as ever, the UK version of FindMyPast has come up with a timely bonus for those Irish researchers whose ancestors crossed the Irish Sea.

The subscription site is offering a 10% discount on all subscriptions quoting the special promotional code of WDYTYA811 if taken out before Wednesday 24th August.

The above offer has now expired, but if you click the box to the right you'll find details of FindMyPast's extensive records collection (which includes all England and Wales census records, complete birth, marriage and death records, and extensive specialist records including military) and be able to take advantage of a two-week free trial.

Please note, subscriptions to FindMyPast.ie are not included in this offer.

Exploring Local History lectures start in September

An interesting local history lecture series, delivered by the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) and the Open University of Ireland (OUI), is to start in September.

The first lecture, 'What is Irish local history?' is scheduled for 29 September when Dr Janice Holmes, Dr Olwen Purdue and Dr Barry Sheehan (OUI) will examine major themes and local history sources. PRONI staff will present examples from the PRONI collection.

Each of the subsequent lectures will be themed, as follows:

27 October: Poverty
24 November: Industrialisation
26 January: Crime
23 February: Religion
29 March: Urban History
26 April: Families

Lectures will be held at PRONI, 6:30-8:00pm. While admission is free, you must book. Contact proni@dcalni.gov.uk or phone +44 (0)28 90 534800.

The Genealogy Roadshow starts on 21st August

A four-part series of The Genealogy Roadshow will launch on RTE1 on Sunday week - 21 August.

The Roadshow, which is pretty much celebrity-free, was filmed earlier this summer in four locations. It aims to help people get started with their family history research and also features people connected genealogically to historical events in Ireland or elsewhere.

Here's the schedule of episodes:

Sunday 21 August - Adare Manor - RTE 1 - 6.30PM
Sunday 28 August - Glenlo Abbey - RTE 1- 6.30PM
Sunday 4 September - Carton House - RTE 1 - 6.30PM
Sunday 11 September - Slane Castle - RTE 1 - 6.30PM

A flurry of activity at Emerald Ancestors

The subscription site Emerald Ancestors, which specialises in genealogy records for Northern Ireland counties, has been busy recently with a spate of new additions to its databases.

Baptismal records for Moneymore First Presbyterian Church in the parish of Artrea, co Londonderry have been added. They cover the period 1844 to 1865 inclusive and include the names of the child and parents (including mother's maiden name), dates of baptism and birth and, in most cases, details of the family residence.

Nearly 4,000 baptismal records for Ballyeaston First Presbyterian Church in the parish of Ballycorr, co Antrim have also been added. They cover 1820 to 1865 inclusive and include the names of the child and parents (including mother's maiden name), dates of baptism and location of the family home. Date of birth is not included.

A whole century of baptismal records, starting in 1820, for Markethill Second Presbyterian Church in the parish of Mullaghbrack, co Antrim are also now in the birth database. Details include the child and father's names, date of baptism and location of the family residence. Mothers' maiden names were not recorded in the original registers.

With an additional 100+ new civil marriage records for Comber Church of Ireland, most of them from 1856 to 1882, the listing of marriages recorded at this co Down church is now complete from 1845 to 1921. Entries include the names of bride and groom and date of marriage. Further details available in most cases include the fathers' names and occupations and the residences of the bride and groom at the time of the marriage.

Recording more than 25,000 individuals, remnants of the 1851 co Antrim census returns can now be searched at Emerald Ancestors. The database includes complete listings of households in the parishes of Aghalee, Ballinderry, Carncastle, Dunaghy, Grange of Killyglen, Kilwaughter & Larne. In addition, some townlands in the parishes of Aghagallon, Ahoghill, Killead, Newtowncrommelin, Rasharkin & Tickmacreevin are also included. Original spellings have been preserved in the transcription and indexing.

August events for your diary

Wednesday 4 August: Free entry to Irish Heritage sites (managed by OPW). Scheme offering free admission on first Wednesday of the month started in July.

Sunday 7 August: Cnocnafeola Centre in Atticall, co Down. Returning emigrants and their real life experiences will be the focus of an afternoon programme of entertainment. Songs, poetry, a workshop on tracing family history and information about the useful DIPPAM archive resource. Contact Brian White on 07719 593013.

Tuesday 9 August: The Peasant's Tale. What would it have been like to have been a peasant in the medieval period? Learn about some of the problems these farmers had to overcome to survive in the 11th century. Tales of Medieval Dublin series of free lunchtime lectures. Wood Quay Venue, Dublin. 1.05pm to 1.45pm. Speaker Cherie Peters.

Saturday 20 August to 28 August: National Heritage Week. Go to the website, type in the keywords Family History or Genealogy, and you'll find a host of events across the country aimed at helping beginners discover their ancestors.

Saturday 20 August to Sunday 28 August (except Monday 22nd): Forgotten Voices: the great Irish famine revealed through the Strokestown Estate Archive. Exhibition focussing on the importance of estate collections as sources for local history research. Castletown House, Celbridge, co Kildare. Open Tues to Sat: 10am to 5pm. Sunday: 10am to 6pm. roisin.berry@nuim.ie

Monday 22 and Wednesday 24 August: Living in Ireland in 1911, with James Scannell, PRO of the Old Dublin Society. 6.30pm. Free but booking recommended. Ringsend Library on Monday ringsendlibrary@dublincity.ie; Coolock Library on Wednesday coolocklibrary@dublincity.ie

Tuesday 23 August: The vestry records of the parish of St Bride, Dublin, 1662-1742 - lecture with Ronnie Wallace. Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. 6.30pm.

Tuesday 23 August: Census 1911, with Catriona Crowe of the National Archives of Ireland. 7.30pm. Glasnevin Museum. Booking essential. bookings@glasnevintrust.ie

Tuesday 23 August: The story of the Guinness Estate, with Joan Sharkey. Free, but booking recommended. Coolock Library, Barryscourt Road. 6.30pm. coolocklibrary@dublincity.ie

Wednesday 24 August: The Shaws of Terenure - a 19th-century Dublin merchant family, with Tony McCarthy. Terenure Library, Templeogue Road. Free, but booking recommended. 7pm. terenurelibrary@dublincity.ie

Wednesday 24 August: Medieval records of Christ Church Cathedral - talk by Dr Raymond Refausse. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, 1.15pm

Wednesday 24 August: Garda Photographic Collection, a talk with Paul Maher of the Garda Museum. Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 5. Free. 6.30pm. Co-incides with exhibition on display throughout the month in the library. cabralibrary@dublincity.ie

Thursday 25 August: William Steuart Trench, controversial agent of the Landsdowne Estate in Kerry, 1849-72, a lecture with Gerard J Lyne, former Keeper of Manuscripts National Library of Ireland. Dingle History Society, Dingle Library, Kerry. 7.30pm. info@kerryhistory.ie

Thursday 25 August: Glasnevin - Ireland's necropolis, a talk by Shane Mac Thomais. Free, but booking recommended. 6.30pm. Donaghmede Library, Shopping Centre, Dublin 13. donaghmedelibrary@dublincity.ie

Friday 26 to Monday 29 August: Seventh Marrinan Clan Gathering taking place in Ennistymon, co Clare, kicking off in Marrinan's Bar in Miltown Malbay. Family tree charts will be on display for two days and there's an afternoon talk Putting meat on your family tree with Larry Brennan of Clare Roots Society on Saturday. mmarrinan1@gmail.com

Saturday 27 August: Medieval Churches of Ross, an illustrated talk on the ancient churches of the West Carbery area, with William Casey of Skibbereen Heritage Centre, co Cork. Free. Booking required. (0)23 40900.

Saturday 27 August: The Irish Architectural Archive, at 45 Merrion Square, Dublin, is taking part in both Merrion Square Open Day and Dublin's Garden Squares Day. 10am-5pm. Guided tours of the largest terraced house on the square. info@iarc.ie

Monday 29 August: Bank holiday in Northern Ireland. PRONI closed.

Tuesday 30 August: Hidden Connections - Black slavery and how it shaped Belfast 1765-1865. An in-depth talk about Ulster's involvement in the slave trade, with Dr Nini Rodgers. 1pm Linen Hall Library, Belfast. info@linenhall.com

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

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.

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.