The Ulster Historical Foundation has announced details of its Return to the Cradle of Irish Presbyterianism programme, which they describe as a family history conference with a difference. It will take place 16-21 September 2013.
It is also well timed, since next year marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Rev Edward Brice, the first Presbyterian minister to settle in Ireland. It will also be the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Reformed Presbytery from which today’s Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church of Ireland descends.
For family historians with Irish Presbyterian links, the six-day conference programme offers the opportunity to learn about the history of Ulster through excursions to some of the province’s most historic sites, to receive professional assistance with their research, and to listen to talks by acknowledged experts in their field.
The fully inclusive rate for the conference is £850; non-residential is £610. Follow the link above for more details.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Friday, 3 August 2012
Temporary closure of some NAI collections
Ongoing refurbishment work at the National Archives of Ireland's storage facility at the Four Courts means that some records, mainly court records, will be unavailable to the public from today until 7 September.
A list of the records affected by this temporary closure is here.
A list of the records affected by this temporary closure is here.
GRO records are not state secrets – APGI
The Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (APGI) has called upon the GRO to hand over a copy of its civil registers database so that the records can be uploaded to www.irishgenealogy.ie.
This follows the publication of the Ombudsman's report into restricted access to civil registration registers by the General Register Office of Ireland. My initial post about the report is here.
In essence, the two-year investigation found that under the National Archives Act 1986, the public has a right of access to any of the State's civil registers of births, deaths and marriages compiled over 30 years ago. In addition, the public has a right under the Civil Registration Act 2004 to purchase extracts from the civil registers through examining the indexes to them held centrally by the GRO.
APGI, together with CIGO, was consulted by the Ombudsman during her two-year investigation and its President, Helen Kelly, describes the findings as 'a victory for common sense.'
She explains: 'Until 2004, under the former Victorian legislation, the public’s right of access to locally held civil registers was enshrined in law. Arbitrarily, this right was stripped away under the 2004 Act and all register books – both locally and centrally held – were subsequently beyond reach.'
In theory, the Ombudsman's finding would mean the register books should now be made available to all researchers.
Unfortunately, the GRO disagrees with the interpretation of the National Archives Act and says it is relying upon advice from the Attorney General. For some reason it refuses to disclose this advice, even to the Ombudsman.
“Anyone would think that these records are state secrets,” says Ms Kelly “They are not. They are public records and always have been. The number of researchers wishing to gain direct access to locally held registers is unlikely to prove onerous.”
Researchers will recognise only too well APGI's description of the frustrating process in operation at the GRO's Research Room in Dublin where they access civil records by identifying entries in the national indexes and then purchase a photocopy of the register entries. 'The problem is that the indexes give very little information and leave researchers playing an expensive game of lucky dip! Just to add to the frustration, the GRO applies a nonsensical daily limit of only five photocopies per person! For visiting overseas researchers this is bewildering'
APGI's statement continues: 'The Ombudsman has called upon the GRO to publish the legal advice it has received from the Attorney General and APGI adds its voice to this call. The Ombudsman has also directed the GRO to enter into talks with the relevant government departments and agencies to give effect to her report’s findings. She also wants the GRO to report back to her every six months about the steps it is taking.
In this context, APGI calls upon the GRO to make available to the Department of Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht, a copy of its database of scanned images of the civil registers so that those records can swiftly be added to the Department's website, www.irishgenealogy.ie, where many other genealogy resources are already made publicly available.'
This follows the publication of the Ombudsman's report into restricted access to civil registration registers by the General Register Office of Ireland. My initial post about the report is here.
In essence, the two-year investigation found that under the National Archives Act 1986, the public has a right of access to any of the State's civil registers of births, deaths and marriages compiled over 30 years ago. In addition, the public has a right under the Civil Registration Act 2004 to purchase extracts from the civil registers through examining the indexes to them held centrally by the GRO.
APGI, together with CIGO, was consulted by the Ombudsman during her two-year investigation and its President, Helen Kelly, describes the findings as 'a victory for common sense.'
She explains: 'Until 2004, under the former Victorian legislation, the public’s right of access to locally held civil registers was enshrined in law. Arbitrarily, this right was stripped away under the 2004 Act and all register books – both locally and centrally held – were subsequently beyond reach.'
In theory, the Ombudsman's finding would mean the register books should now be made available to all researchers.
Unfortunately, the GRO disagrees with the interpretation of the National Archives Act and says it is relying upon advice from the Attorney General. For some reason it refuses to disclose this advice, even to the Ombudsman.
“Anyone would think that these records are state secrets,” says Ms Kelly “They are not. They are public records and always have been. The number of researchers wishing to gain direct access to locally held registers is unlikely to prove onerous.”
Researchers will recognise only too well APGI's description of the frustrating process in operation at the GRO's Research Room in Dublin where they access civil records by identifying entries in the national indexes and then purchase a photocopy of the register entries. 'The problem is that the indexes give very little information and leave researchers playing an expensive game of lucky dip! Just to add to the frustration, the GRO applies a nonsensical daily limit of only five photocopies per person! For visiting overseas researchers this is bewildering'
APGI's statement continues: 'The Ombudsman has called upon the GRO to publish the legal advice it has received from the Attorney General and APGI adds its voice to this call. The Ombudsman has also directed the GRO to enter into talks with the relevant government departments and agencies to give effect to her report’s findings. She also wants the GRO to report back to her every six months about the steps it is taking.
In this context, APGI calls upon the GRO to make available to the Department of Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht, a copy of its database of scanned images of the civil registers so that those records can swiftly be added to the Department's website, www.irishgenealogy.ie, where many other genealogy resources are already made publicly available.'
RootsIreland extends July offer to end August
The extension has not made the offer any clearer, however.
In summary, the standard offer is that new researchers can view 10 free Search Result Pages after registration. Once those 10 freebies have been used, you have to pay to buy credits to view each page of search results.
Under the offer terms you can view Search Results Pages at NO additional charge based on the number of unspent credits in your account at the time the search is performed. The 'free' credits will expire when the offer ends.
You can read the full explanation here.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Exploring Themes of Emigration, Exile and Place
A Melting Down Conference will be held at Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff next week.
Starting on the evening of Friday 10 August and continuing with a full-day programme the next morning, Saturday 11 August, the three themes of Emigration, Exile and Place will be explored in a series of lectures as well as through music, song and performance.
See the full schedule.
Costs: Friday €10; Saturday €15; Friday & Saturday €20.
Book: email or Tel 049 854 4070.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Guide to Belfast's Gaelic place names published
A new booklet, The Gaelic Placenames of Belfast, has been published today by Belfast City Council, in partnership with the Ultach Trust. As its name suggests, the booklet traces the Gaelic origins of many of Belfast`s place names.
It starts in pagan times – from the first mention of the River Lagan and Belfast Lough in the maps of the Greek geographer Ptolemy in the second century AD, through to the creation of the 17th century townlands.
The booklet demonstrates how Gaelic placenames of Belfast and the surrounding area provide a direct link to the oldest strata of the city`s history, shedding light on its past. The names speak of pagan, Cruithin and Ulaidh traditions, as well as the Christian influences of the Dark Ages and medieval times, and also evoke the physical features of the landscape, its hills, rivers and loughs – showing how much that landscape has changed in the intervening years.
As well as exploring the conflicting origins of ancient names for the likes of Belfast Lough and the Lagan, it also traces the meanings of the names for the likes of the Blackstaff River and Cave Hill as well as places and areas such as Stranmillis (An Sruthán Milis), Taughmonagh (Tuath Monach), Ballyhackamore (Baile an Chacamair), Falls (Tuath na bhFál) and Knock (An Cnoe).
Councillor Máire Hendron, Chair of Belfast City Council`s Good Relations Partnership said: “I think this booklet will provide us with a great insight into the origins of the areas where we live. There is a fascination with the historical and mythical roots of placenames and this very informative booklet traces some of the names back to the region`s earliest inhabitants - Gaels, Picts and Normans.”
The booklet is free. Call Belfast City Council's Good Relations team on 02890 270663 to arrange to collect a copy from Reception or to request a copy be sent to your home address. It's not available in digital format.
It starts in pagan times – from the first mention of the River Lagan and Belfast Lough in the maps of the Greek geographer Ptolemy in the second century AD, through to the creation of the 17th century townlands.
The booklet demonstrates how Gaelic placenames of Belfast and the surrounding area provide a direct link to the oldest strata of the city`s history, shedding light on its past. The names speak of pagan, Cruithin and Ulaidh traditions, as well as the Christian influences of the Dark Ages and medieval times, and also evoke the physical features of the landscape, its hills, rivers and loughs – showing how much that landscape has changed in the intervening years.
As well as exploring the conflicting origins of ancient names for the likes of Belfast Lough and the Lagan, it also traces the meanings of the names for the likes of the Blackstaff River and Cave Hill as well as places and areas such as Stranmillis (An Sruthán Milis), Taughmonagh (Tuath Monach), Ballyhackamore (Baile an Chacamair), Falls (Tuath na bhFál) and Knock (An Cnoe).
Councillor Máire Hendron, Chair of Belfast City Council`s Good Relations Partnership said: “I think this booklet will provide us with a great insight into the origins of the areas where we live. There is a fascination with the historical and mythical roots of placenames and this very informative booklet traces some of the names back to the region`s earliest inhabitants - Gaels, Picts and Normans.”
The booklet is free. Call Belfast City Council's Good Relations team on 02890 270663 to arrange to collect a copy from Reception or to request a copy be sent to your home address. It's not available in digital format.
Potential disruption to late night PRONI
Due to the potential of industrial action by NIPSA members from today, PRONI visitors are advised that there may be disruption to service during late evening opening.
If you are planning to visit PRONI on a Thursday evening, please contact PRONI prior to your visit for information on the availability of services.
Email PRONI at proni@dcalni.gov.uk
Telephone: (+44) 028 90 534800.
If you are planning to visit PRONI on a Thursday evening, please contact PRONI prior to your visit for information on the availability of services.
Email PRONI at proni@dcalni.gov.uk
Telephone: (+44) 028 90 534800.
July updates from Ireland Genealogy Projects
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| St Patrick's Graveyard, Enniskerry, Wicklow |
These include Droheda Parish Cemetery A-K (Louth), Mullaghfad Church Cemetery (Fermanagh) and St. Patrick's Church, Enniskerry part 6 (Wicklow)
IGP also has a new email list out for Wicklow Cemeteries. To join, visit the list's information page.
CLARE Genealogy Archives - History
Madigan, Thomas March 5, 1837
FERMANAGH Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Mullaghfad Church "Chapel of Ease" for Tydavnet
KILDARE Genealogy Archives - Church Records
Memorial Cards
LOUTH Genealogy Archives - Church Records
Memorial Cards William Bannon, Sarah Connolly & Teresa Bannon
LOUTH Genealogy Archives - Headstone Photos
Drogheda; St. Peter's Parish Cemetery, A-K
MONAGHAN Genealogy Archives - Church
Asst. Records, Trinity Church (Stranoodan) Kilmore Parish
WATERFORD Genealogy Archives - Miscellaneous
Proclamations 1661-1827
WESTMEATH Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Ledwith, Mary - Bergin Co. NJ Burial
WICKLOW Genealogy Archives - St Patrick's Graveyard
St. Patrick's Church, Enniskerry - Part 6
Events in first two weeks of August
August is always a fabulously busy month for genealogy and heritage events, and not only because of Heritage Week. So I'm going to cover the month in two hits. This one applies only to the first two weeks.
Wednesday 1 August: Getting started in Irish genealogy, with Sean Murphy of UCD. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 2 August: Irish church records, with Mary Sullivan from the Irish Family History Foundation. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Friday 3 August: Irish genealogy online, with Brian Donovan of Eneclann.1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August: Re-enactment of the Battle of Vinegar Hill. Enniscorthy Castle and 1798 Rebellion Centre. Fun for all the family. Pikemen still wanted!
Monday 6 August: Bank Holiday in Republic of Ireland. All libraries and archives closed.
Tuesday 7 August: Why are Irish surnames so weird? with John Grenham, genealogist and author of 'Tracing your Irish ancestors'. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Wednesday 8 August: Connecting with the Diaspora, with Anne Rodda, genealogist. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 9 August: Irish genes and ancestry, with Gianpiero Cavallieri from the Royal College of Surgeons. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 9 August: Genealogy Workshop. Irish Ancestry Research Centre, Tierney Building, University of Limerick. 12-2pm. €20/€15. To book your place contact Deborah Clifford on 00353 61 518355 or email deborah.clifford@irisharc.org.
Friday 10 August: Sources for genealogy at the Military Archives, with Captain Stephen MacEoin from the Military Archives. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Saturday 11 August: Family History Drop-in. Free practical tips from Mayo Genealogy Group. National Museum of Ireland, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 11am-1pm. Free.
Saturday 11 August: Genealogy Information Day with the Irish Ancestry Research Centre. Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee, Co Clare. 11am-3pm. A light introduction to tracing your ancestry, getting the most out of online sources and how to care for your family records. Tickets €15 on the day. Details.
Tuesday 14th August: The Records of the Irish Railway Records Society, with Norman E. Gamble. Organised by GSI. Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin at 8pm. €3.
Wednesday 1 August: Getting started in Irish genealogy, with Sean Murphy of UCD. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 2 August: Irish church records, with Mary Sullivan from the Irish Family History Foundation. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Friday 3 August: Irish genealogy online, with Brian Donovan of Eneclann.1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August: Re-enactment of the Battle of Vinegar Hill. Enniscorthy Castle and 1798 Rebellion Centre. Fun for all the family. Pikemen still wanted!
Monday 6 August: Bank Holiday in Republic of Ireland. All libraries and archives closed.
Tuesday 7 August: Why are Irish surnames so weird? with John Grenham, genealogist and author of 'Tracing your Irish ancestors'. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Wednesday 8 August: Connecting with the Diaspora, with Anne Rodda, genealogist. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 9 August: Irish genes and ancestry, with Gianpiero Cavallieri from the Royal College of Surgeons. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Thursday 9 August: Genealogy Workshop. Irish Ancestry Research Centre, Tierney Building, University of Limerick. 12-2pm. €20/€15. To book your place contact Deborah Clifford on 00353 61 518355 or email deborah.clifford@irisharc.org.
Friday 10 August: Sources for genealogy at the Military Archives, with Captain Stephen MacEoin from the Military Archives. 1pm. 20 minute talk. Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland. Free. First come, first served.
Saturday 11 August: Family History Drop-in. Free practical tips from Mayo Genealogy Group. National Museum of Ireland, Castlebar, Co Mayo. 11am-1pm. Free.
Saturday 11 August: Genealogy Information Day with the Irish Ancestry Research Centre. Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee, Co Clare. 11am-3pm. A light introduction to tracing your ancestry, getting the most out of online sources and how to care for your family records. Tickets €15 on the day. Details.
Tuesday 14th August: The Records of the Irish Railway Records Society, with Norman E. Gamble. Organised by GSI. Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin at 8pm. €3.
Church of Ireland clergy in your tree?
The RCB Library's latest Archive of the Month feature will be of interest to researchers with Anglican clergy ancestors.
How the clergy got appointed – Letters to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the 18th–century is an interesting selection of 215 letters received by George, 4th Viscount Townshend, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1767 to 1772, and the chief dispenser of considerable patronage in civil, military and ecclesiastical life.
The contents of the letters demonstrates the 18th-century practice of unambiguous petitioning for positions in the Church; if you wanted a position, you asked for it or got an influential friend or contact to intervene.
Follow this link to find out more and to view a selection of the letters. The full collection is in MS 20 at the Representative Church Body Library.
How the clergy got appointed – Letters to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the 18th–century is an interesting selection of 215 letters received by George, 4th Viscount Townshend, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1767 to 1772, and the chief dispenser of considerable patronage in civil, military and ecclesiastical life.
The contents of the letters demonstrates the 18th-century practice of unambiguous petitioning for positions in the Church; if you wanted a position, you asked for it or got an influential friend or contact to intervene.
Follow this link to find out more and to view a selection of the letters. The full collection is in MS 20 at the Representative Church Body Library.
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