Glasnevin Trust receives Excellence in Genealogy Award

Glasnevin Trust has received CIGO's 2011 Award for Excellence in Genealogy. At a ceremony earlier this evening, the award was presented by Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Affairs, to the Trust's chairman John Green.

The honour recognises the Trust's contribution to the study of Irish genealogy through the creation and development of its database of all 1.5 million burials in the Glasnevin Trust cemeteries: Glasnevin (Prospect), Dardistown, Goldenbridge, Newlands Cross and Palmerstown, plus two crematoria.

These burial records date from as early as 1828 and, with access to the scanned images of the original burial registers also now online, access to this vital genealogical information is unparalleled in Ireland. The project has taken almost 20 years of development.

The result of the Trust’s commitment to this mammoth project has set an extremely high standard for data provision and one which will no doubt be an active encouragement for other cemetery authorities to emulate worldwide.

In presenting the Award, the Minister said: 'It's often stated that interest in Genealogy has never been as great as it is now. The work of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO), and the Glasnevin Trust in digitising and transcribing its burial register, help play an enormous part in this enhanced interest. I would like to take this opportunity now to salute both CIGO and Glasnevin Trust for the part they help play in ensuring that this vital part of our cultural heritage is not just maintained but allowed to bloom.'

Steven Smyrl, chairman of CIGO’s Award Committee, commended Glasnevin Trust for its commitment to creating the burials database and for making their 1.5 million entries available to millions worldwide through the Internet.

He said: “For Dublin families, the lack of 19th century census records is more than made up for with the data now made available through the Trust’s website. The burial registers note people born as early as the middle of the 18th century.”

The Council for Irish Genealogical Organisations is an umbrella group, formed in 1992, representing the genealogical community within Ireland and worldwide. It represents almost all of Ireland’s societies and organisations involved in genealogical research as well as a number of others based across the English-speaking world.

Previous recipients of the Award include Dublin City Library & Archives in 2007 for its database of Dublin City electoral rolls and The National Archives of Ireland in 2010 for its digitisation of the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census.

Image of the first registered burial in Glasnevin Cemetery: 11-year-old Michael Carey of Francis Street, Dubliln, who died on 22 February 1832.

Find out more about Glasnevin Cemetery.

Genealogy events in December

All month: Exploring Your Roots Exhibition looking at how museums provide unique resources for genealogy research. Mid-Antrim Museum, The Braid, Ballymena. Free.

Thursday 1 December: Introducing DIPPAM, with Dr Paddy Fitzgerald, a workshop to discover this online resource for Irish history and emigration research. Ballymena Central Library, Pat's Brae. 6.30pm-8.30pm. Free.

Thursday 1 December: Genealogy workshop. Aimed at beginners. 12:50-14:15. Irish Ancestry Research Centre (IARC), Tierney Building, University of Limerick. €20. Booking essential at genealogyworkshops@gmail.com.

Tuesday 6 December: Family history for beginners, with North of Ireland Family History Society. Downpatrick library. 6.45-7.45pm. Free. Booking essential at 028 4461 1448 or the Heritage Gallery.

Tuesday 6 December: Ballymena Family History Society, presentation and workshop with Brian O'Hara. Mid-Antrim Museum, The Braid, Ballymena. 7-8pm. Free.

Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 December: National Archives of Ireland Reading Room closed for annual media preview. Reopens on Monday 12th at 10am.

Wednesday 7 December: Kilmainham Jail, with Theresa Buckley. Rathmichael Historical Society. Rathmichael School, Stonebridge Road, Shankill. 8pm.

Thursday 8 December: Genealogy workshop. Aimed at beginners. Irish Ancestry Research Centre (IARC), Tierney Building, University of Limerick. 12:50-14:15pm and 18:30-20:30pm. €20. Booking essential at genealogyworkshops@gmail.com.

Thursday 8 December: The Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society. Launch of Portrait of an Industrial City, Clanging Belfast 1750-1914, by Prof. Stephen A Royle. The Old Museum Art Centre, 7 College Square North, Belfast. 7pm. Details: enquiry@uhf.org.uk

Monday 12 December: Medieval Clonfert: the genesis, development and decline of a Gaelic cathedral settlement, with Christy Cunniffe. Galway Archaeological & Historical Society. Harbour Hotel, the Docks, Galway. 8pm.

Tuesday 13th December: National Library of Ireland, Recent Developments and Future Plans, with Katherine McSherry. Genealogical Society of Ireland. Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education, Cumberland Street. €3 admission.

Tuesday 13 December: The Man of Law’s Tale, with lecturer Colm Lennon in the Friends of Medieval Dublin series. James Stanihurst served as both Recorder of Dublin and parliamentary Speaker. Hear the tale of this scholarly lawyer who assisted in Queen Mary's Catholic restoration and Queen Elizabeth's Protestant Reformation. Civic Offices, Wood Quay. 1.05-1.45pm, Free. www.fmd.ie

Wednesday 14 December: Nora Connolly thoroughly researches female characters, fictional and actual, and tells their stories, dressed in the appropriate costume. Literally a step back in history to the times of her characters presented with humour and sensitivity. Malahide Historical Society Presbyterian Church Hall on Dublin Road at 8 pm. A €4 admission charge applies. Non members most welcome. Limited parking available.

Wednesday 14 December: The 1901 & 1911 census - what can I learn from them? with Paul Haslam. Newbuildings and District Archaeological and Historical Society. Community Centre, Newbuildings. 7.30pm.

Wednesday 14 December: Industrial Heritage of Meath 1730-1930, with Antoine Giacometti. Meath Archaeological and Historical Society. Columbanus Hall, Canon Row, Navan at 8pm. Details: 046-9052236.

British Newspaper Archive launches

The British Newspaper Archive has launched today with more than 3million pages available to view.

Subscription packages include a 2-day pass for £6.95 and a 30-day pass at £29.95. Unlimited annual access is £79.95.

In this initial tranche of searchable papers, there are three from Ireland: the Cork Examiner (1841-1846), Freeman's Journal (1820-1900), and Belfast Newsletter (1828-1900). But Irish News, and reports of Irish people living in England, Scotland and Wales, also appeared in many other British papers.

Today's launch marks the first phase of a 10-year project to digitise 40million pages of newspapers.

Edited 11:00am.

Strike disruption on 30th November

Industrial action by members of NIPSA is scheduled for Wednesday 30 November in Northern Ireland.

PRONI has announced that there will be no document production on that day and there may be other disruption to services.

The lunchtime lecture programme at the Linenhall Library has also been hit. The talk 'Conflict Archive on the Internet' by Dr Brendan Lynn, University of Ulster, has been pulled forward to tomorrow (29th). All other details remain unchanged.

CIGO Award for Excellence in Genealogy

The 5th Annual CIGO Award for Excellence in Genealogy will be presented by Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in the Ascot Suite, Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 on Wednesday evening at 6pm.

The presentation will be followed by the CIGO AGM and a lecture entitled 'Glasnevin Trust - Preserving the past for future generations' by Mervyn Colville.

With a raffle and bar, and free admission, everyone's welcome!

The Council for Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO) is an umbrella group representing the genealogical community within Ireland and worldwide. It was formed in 1992. It represents almost all of Ireland’s societies and organisations involved in genealogical research as well as a number of others based across the English-speaking world.

1926 census possibly online in 2016

It's always good to hear that plans to provide new resources have not been quietly shelved while we weren't looking, even if that provision is still some way off in practice. So, it was pleasing to read this week that the digitisation of the 1926 census, the first undertaken by the Irish Government, is still on the Government's 'wish list'.

In a written response to questions from TDs Denis Naughten and Aengus Ó Snodaigh last week, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Deputy Jimmy Deenihan said that, 'subject to resources and the resolution of legal and other issues', it was his intention to have the 1926 census returns digistised and made available online as a 1916 centenary project.

Okay, that's not exactly imminent, but I'm sure we can live with the delay. What concerns me more is that the plan seems to be stuck in the 'wish list' basket. Surely such a project needs to get underway much sooner than later if the returns are to be fully digitised and made available with images and any redactions demanded by the lawyers within little more than four years. The digitisation of the 1911 census took from December 2005 to August 2009.

Let's hope the 1926 project gets the green light soon.

Origins discount by 20% for Thanksgiving

Origins.net has introduced a special offer to celebrate Thanksgiving with a very cool 20% discount on new subscriptions!

The Irish Origins collection includes some real gems: The Dublin City Census of 1851, Tithe Defaulters, Electoral Registers, Indexes of wills, Memorials of the Dead, Military records, Direcotries and maps. There is also Griffiths Valuation; although available free on other sites, this version is widely held to be the best.

Another plus of the Origins subscription model is that you don't have to sign up for lengthy periods. Access can be booked for as little as 72-hours.

To take advantage of this offer, just enter the code TG2011 in the Promotional box at registration or checkout.

The 20% discount is available for just one week – from today until 1 December. It is valid only on the first subscription payment and cannot be used to renew existing subscriptions.

Bits and bobs

Pure Cork book launch: Anyone with Cork ancestors will want this newly launched book on their Christmas list. Pure Cork is a 350-image collection of advertisements, maps, sketches, postcards and photographs which tell the story of Cork's evolution over the last few hundred years. Michael Lenihan, author of the popular Hidden Cork, compiled the photos and memorabilia over many years and believes that about 95% of the photos have never been published before. It's on sale at Liam O’Shea’s Bookshop on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, where a display of some of the original photos are now on show, but also through Easons and several online booksellers. €25/hardback. 286 pages.

National Archives of Ireland: Due to a formal occasion, the Reading Room of the National Archives will be closed on the afternoon of Wednesday 30 November. However, it will be open in the morning, starting half an hour earlier than normal, at 9:30am, before closing at 12:00 midday. It will reopen, at the more usual time of 10:00, on Thursday 1 December.

Children in Irish workhouses: Here's an RTE podcast I chanced upon recently that you might be interested to download and listen to. Joseph Robbins tells the tale of young inmates of the workhouse in the 19th century, of the regulations they lived under, of their inefficient and ineffective education, and the difficult life they had to endure. It also tells of the forced emigration of many young workhouse girls.

Spanish Inquisition records reveal 500 Irish people: At the Irish Genealogical Research Society's symposium last month, Dr Thomas O'Connor of NUI Maynooth made a fascinating presentation about his work in Madrid where he found that hundreds of Irish men and women had been brought before the Spanish Inquisition (1478 to 1834). A news story in today's Irish Times gives more details of his discoveries but adds that copies of the records he discovered will soon be made available to the public.

Find My Past.ie adds a family tree builder

FindMyPast.ie has added a family tree builder on its site.

I've just tried out the new software, and it's very easy to use, so even if you've struggled with tree builders on other sites, you might like to give this one a go.

As you'd expect, the software allows you to add, edit, update and delete relations, and to add partners, parents and children. You can view your immediate family, ancestors, descendants or whole family tree (see the picture below) at the click of the mouse.

In addition, you can upload photos and link them to your relations.

The software allows you to search other member's family trees. But it also does some of the research work for you by automatically searching other members' trees AND the FindMyPast.ie historical records collections.

I've tried similar sites in the past, but I particularly like this one because the interface is so uncluttered. Looks good to me.

To try it out, go to FindMyPast.ie and select the Tree button. You need to register with the site (which requires only some basic personal details and a valid email) but can then start building.

Government's reform plans worry IGRS

The Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) is concerned that a so-called merger of the National Archives with the National Library could diminish vital heritage services.

Steven Smyrl, IGRS chairman, says that while the IGRS recognises the need for savings across the board in Irish public services, it is concerned that with two bodies under one director, competition for resources could be fierce.

“The proposed area of control is simply too vast, whether or not, as the Government proposes, both institutions are to retain their separate identities. The Government’s plan is further complicated by reference to the possible sharing of services between the National Library and the National Museum which could dilute the services still further.”

Smyrl acknowledges that there are savings to be made through the pooling of public services resources. “Conservation and administration are just two such areas that immediately spring to mind, but while libraries and museums might appear to be similar they are actually very different service providers.

“Staff trained in the care and control of archive materials require quite different skills to those working in a library and economies of scale will not be found by requiring flexibility from staff to work across borders in the proposed new set-up. It is crucial that specialist knowledge and training be recognised as essential in service delivery at national institutions. The historians, academics, researchers and genealogists using them rely heavily upon the staff’s expertise and knowledge.

“The IGRS welcomes the Government’s initiative to see where savings can be made but advises caution if irreparable damage to public service is to be avoided.“