Enjoy a 31% saving with a new 3-month subscription to the online British Newspaper Archive

The British Newspaper Archive has introduced a three-month subscription offer to its huge online database. Previously, only 1-month or 12-month options were available.

The 3-month subscription costs £25.90, representing a 31% saving on the monthly package.

The British Newspaper Archive holds historical papers dating back to the 18th-century, although its core archive dates from the 1800s. Some 22million pages are online, with more being added almost daily. They span England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the Irish collection currently made up of 150 publications (41 published in Northern Ireland and 109 from the Republic).

In addition to the new 3-month package, the BNA has today launched a Yorkshire and London local history campaign, which may be of interest to those whose Irish ancestors emigrated and settled in those regions. You can sample these archives with three free page views by following the links.

National Library of Ireland: Annual Review 2016

Last week the National Library of Ireland published its Annual Review of 2016. It was a busy year for the institution, which, in addition to its traditional role of collecting and conserving material, launched an ambitious five-year strategy, digitally archived more than 880 Irish websites, saw 170,000 visitors attend its five exhibitions and some 35,000 more made their way to 455 tours, talks, workshops and performances.

The Review (3.6Mb pdf) can be downloaded from NLI.ie.

I took the opportunity of the latest review to compare figures with those of the last four years, in particular looking at the number of visitors taking advantage of the Library's online and offline facilities and services. Overall, the number of visitors through the Library's doors has fallen slightly. The graph, right, makes this fall appear dramatic. In fact, the drop was less than 4%.

A genuinely dramatic reduction in numbers was witnessed in the Family History Room. From roughly 60,000 visits in each of 2013 and 2014, the number fell by 59% to less than 25,000 in 2016.

If there weren't a very good reason for this fall, there would be concern, but the simple explanation is that the National Library released images of its Roman Catholic registers collection in summer 2015. Previously, family historians had to attend the Library for the dubious pleasure of whirring through microfilmed copies of these images; now they could do this research from their own homes. The subsequent indexing and linking to the images by Ancestry, FindMyPast and RootsIreland made the task even easier. For many researchers, there is now no need for regular visits to Kildare Street.

The Library is to be congratulated for its success in making up for the loss of visiting family historians; the numbers attending tours, lectures and workshops more than doubled between 2015 and 2016.

While the numbers attending Library premises overall is steady, the Library's online presence has grown hugely. It is particulary strong on the two main social media outlets of Twitter and Facebook, where it has enormous followings, but its level of interaction with online visitors via its main website (excluding the RC Registers 'channel') and Flickr (for its photo collections), is also impressive.

Launching the Annual Review, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD said: “The Annual Review 2016 highlights the remarkable achievements of the Library last year. Nearly a quarter of a million visitors walked through the doors of the Library over the course of the year, and more than 22 million interacted with the Library online. This astounding figure demonstrates the need for libraries to provide access to information in new and innovative ways, and, through its ambitious digitisation and web archiving programme, the National Library has claimed a leadership role in the digital arena."

Cork Archives uploads St Finbarr's burial registers

Cork City and County Archives has uploaded a full transcription of the 1867–1896 burial register for St.Finbarr's municipal cemetery in Cork City.

St Finbarr's Cemetery
Photo from Google.

The register spans 5 December 1867 to 10 June 1896 and holds records of about 5,700 burials. As if often the case with interment records, more detail about the deceased is provided in these registers than in his/her death certificate.

Particularly useful for genealogists is the attempt to include information about the deceased's place of birth. This isn't always supplied, and even when it is, it may only provide a pointer, but better a pointer than nothing. Two examples: Mary Skuze, who died in April 1885 at 14 Duncan Street, Cork, was born in Dunmanway, in the southwest of the county, and John Geraghty, who died May 1894 at 17 Summerhill, St Luke's, Cork, was born in County Roscommon.

Other information transcribed from the register is the location of grave, date of death, date of interment, religion, occupation, last place of residence, and marital status. This is the only St Finbarr's burial register currently held by the Archives, but it is hoped that additional registers (currently held by the cemetery) will be made available for digitisation in the future.

If you locate an ancestor in this register, you might like to check out the HistoricGraves.com; an ongoing project by a local team is working on photographing and transcribing headstones in this cemetery.

FindMyPast extends search filter options to counties

Further to my recent blogpost about FindMyPast adding more subcategories to help you filter results when searching Births, Marriages and Deaths collections, another refinement has been applied. This time, it's geographical searches that have been targetted. It's now possible to filter your search by county. There are two ways of doing this:

1. You can search the A–Z of record sets in Ireland for collections that cover your chosen county.
   
   Click image to the right to see the 'A-Z of record sets in Ireland' page filtered to County Carlow. You can see all the collections that include records for County Carlow, and the number of individual records held in the database for each record set.
   
   (You can also search by counties in the collections for England, Scotland and Wales, and by province in the Canada collection.)
2. You can restrict your search in individual record sets to entries from one or multiple counties. The example below shows I've selected counties Carlow and Dublin as the area of enquiry for a search in the Ireland Dog Licences collection.

Latest additions to Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives

Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives has advised that its team of volunteers has uploaded the following files in the second half of September. All are freely available st IGP-web.com/IGPArchives.

Headstone in Lisonuffy churchyard,
nr Strokestown, Co Roscommon,
to Anne Tighe nee King, who died 1827, and
her teenage son, Pat, who predeceased her.
Photo courtesy Dave Hall and IGP Archives.

DUBLIN Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Deansgrange Cemetery, St. Nessan's Pt. 12
Mount Jerome - Part 177

KILKENNY Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Freshford, St. Lachtain's - New - Part 1 - 3

LONGFORD Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Ballymacormack Cemetery (R.C.) (Updated)

MAYO Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Burrishoole Abbey, Part 2

MONAGHAN & FERMANAGH - Church Records
Clones Parish Marriages 1817-1825, E. Div (Additional)

ROSCOMMON Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Lisonuffy/Lissonuffy Graveyard (South of Strokestown)

SLIGO Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Sligo Cem. - New Part, Section A (Surnames A-C)

TYRONE Genealogy Archives - Headstones
St. Bestius Graveyard, Termonamongan Parish

WEXFORD Genealogy Archives - Newspaper reports
Work House Admissions & Deaths, (Assorted Dates)

WICKLOW Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Kilmacanogue Old Cemetery (Updated)

Irish family history and heritage events, 2-15 October

Until 14 October: Dublin Festival of History 2017. 62 free events – talks, walks, screenings, panel discussions and seminars – still to be enjoyed at libraries, Dublin Castle, and many other venues across Dublin City. See programme for full details.

Monday 2 October: NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service, operating as normal. Details.

Monday 2 October: A beginner’s guide to DNA, with Michael McDowell. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Killyleagh Branch. Venue: Killyleagh Masonic Hall, 50 High Street, Killyleagh, Co. Down, BT30 9QF. 8pm. Free. All welcome.

Tuesday 3 October: The Miller's Tale, with Áine Foley. Host: More Tales of Medieval Dublin lecture series. Venue: Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8. 1:05–1:55pm. Free. All welcome.

Tuesday 3 October: Ireland, Egypt and India: 1919 an anti-imperialist turning point, with Dr Kate O'Malley. Host: National Archives of Ireland's 2017 Lecture Programme. Venue: Reading Room, National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8. Free. All welcome. 6pm. No booking required.

Tuesday 3 October: Irish Genealogy Hour – hands-on research in the computer classroom, with different topic each week. Host and venue: Billings Public Library, 510 North 28th Street, Billings, Montana, USA. Free. All welcome. Noon to 1pm. For more information, T: (406) 657-8258.

Wednesday 4 October: The Black Death in Dublin, with Finbar Dwyer. Host: Rathmichael Historical Society. Venue: Rathmichael National School, Stonebridge Road, Shankill, Co Dublin. 8pm. All welcome. Fee: €4.

Wednesday 4 October: Online resources for family history, with Stephen Scarth. Host and venue: Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB. 1pm. Free. All welcome. Need to book.

Thursday 5 October: Capturing the past – photographic collections and digitisation at PRONI, with Joy Carey and Lorraine Bourke. Host and venue: PRONI, Titanic Boulevard, Belfast. Part of the 'PRONI’s archives unlocked' Thursday lunchtime public talks. 1pm. Free. Need to book as spaces are limited. Details and registration.

Friday 6 October: How to start researching your family history, with Ann Robinson. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Lisburn Branch, and LibrariesNI. Venue: Carryduff Library, Church Rd, Carryduff, Co Down, BT8 8DT.  11am. Ring/email library staff for details: (44) 028 9081 3568; carryduff.library@librariesni.org.uk.

Saturday 7 October Launch of new database: An Index of Catholics and their Friends in England 1680–1840, with Rory G Higgins FSC and William Shannon PhD. Host: Catholic Family History Society. Venue: The Conference Rooms, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1, UK. Tickets £20 to include lunch, refreshments and a disc of the database. 10am-4pm. Details.

Saturday 7 October: Open Day and Book Sale, at the North of Ireland Family History Society's Library & Research Centre in Newtownabbey. Free genealogy and dna advice, pick up a bargain, learn more about the Society's busy programme of branch meetings, lectures and short courses, browse the library and map collection.11am to 4pm. All welcome. Venue: NIFHS Library & Research Centre, Valley Business Centre, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim BT36 7LS. Free parking.

Monday 9 October: NLI Reading Room and Manuscript Room closed. Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On-going Monday closures are to facilitate extensive redevelopment of the premises. All other services/exhibitons/cafe, including Genealogy Advisory Service operating as normal. Details.

Monday 9 October: The Irish Linen Industry, with Brian Mackay. Host: Carryduff Historical Society. Venue: Committee Room, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, Hillsborough Road, Carryduff, Co Down. 8pm. All welcome. Members free. Non-members £2.

Monday 9 October: Carnmoney Graveyard, with Nigel Henderson. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Newtownabbey Branch. Venue: Drama Theatre, Glengormley High School, 134 Ballyclare Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 5HP. 7pm. All welcome.

Tuesday 10 October: Irish Family History Group, monthly meeting. Host and venue: The Core Library, Theatre Square, Homer Road, Solihull, UK, B91 3RG. 10am to Noon. All welcome, for genealogy help and support.

Tuesday 10 October: DMP casualties during the War of Independence – Part Three, with James Scanlon. Host: Genealogical Society of Ireland (GSI). Venue: Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute, Cumberland Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 8pm. €3 donation. All welcome.

Tuesday 10 October: Family history: A beginner's guide to DNA, with Martin McDowell. Host and venue: Belfast Central Library, Royal Ave, Belfast BT1 1EA. Free. 2pm–3pm. Booking advised; T: 028 9050 9150. All welcome. 

Wednesday 11 October: Irish Family History Advice Sessions, with Archivists. Host and venue: Glasgow City Archives, Level 5, Mitchell Library, Granville Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN, Scotland. Bookable one-to-one slots. Book in person at the Granville Street reception or phone 0141 287 2999.

Thursday 12 October: The Plantation families of North-West Ulster, with Brian Mitchell MAGI. Host and venue: Ballymena Central Library, 5 Pat's Brae, Ballymena, Co Antrim, BT43 5AX. Free. 12:30pm. All welcome. Details: T - 028 2563 3950; E - ballymena.library@librariesni.org.uk​.

Thursday 12 October: Public tour of WWIreland Exhibition, Exploring the Irish Experience at home and abroad. Host and Venue: National Library of Ireland, 2/3 Kildare Street (next door to main building), Dublin 2. Free. 2pm. No booking required.

Thursday 12 October: How to get ready to search Irish records, with Kevin Cassidy. Host: Greater Omaha Genealogical Society – Irish Interest Group. Venue: LDS Omaha Stake Center, 14680 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. 7pm. Free, but advance registration required by email to Rita Henry (rhenry416@cox.net).

Friday 13 October: Tour of the Newspaper Library and how to use it for genealogy research. Host and venue: Belfast Central Library, Royal Ave, Belfast BT1 1EA. Free. 2:30–3:30pm. Booking advised; T: 028 9050 9150. All welcome.

Saturday 14 October: Places and jurisdictions in Ireland, with Tom Rice. Host: Irish Genealogical Society International. Venue: Minnesota Genealogical Library, 1185 Concord St North, South St Paul, MN 55075, USA. Members $15/ Non-members $20. 10:30 to Noon. Register.

Saturday 14 October: Towns of the Ulster Plantation, a one-day conference. Hosts: Cumann Seanchais Bhreifne (Breifne Historical Society) and Cavan Genealogy. Venue: Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan. 10am to 4pm. To book, contact the Library on +353 (0)49 436 1094. Fee: €10. Booking essential. Full programme.

Saturday 14 October: Derry – the pathway to another life, with Brian Mitchell MAGI. Host: North of Ireland Family History Society, Tyrone Branch. Venue: Seminar Room, First Floor, Omagh Library, Dublin Road, Omagh, BT78 1HL. 10am. All welcome.

Sunday 15 October: Irish Historical walk from Kings Cross to Soho. Hosts: London Easter 1916-1924 Centenary Committee and Irish Historical walks in London. Meeting at German Gymnasium, 1 King's Blvd, London, N1C 4BU. Taking in Irish ghettos (Bloomsbury, Soho, Somerstown), links to Fenian rising of 1867, and Easter Rising, and places with connections to famous Irish people. 12pm to 3pm. Details.

The Carrickfergus Advertiser joins online BNA

The online British Newspaper Archive has added The Carrickfergus Advertiser to its database.

The digital archive plans to add editions published in the following years:

1884–91 The Carrickfergus Advertiser and County Gazette.
1891–1912 The Carrickfergus Advertiser and East Antrim Gazette.

So far, the editions available to search span 1884–1895 and 1897–1899.

The title has also joined FindMyPast's Irish Newspaper Collection.

10% discount on FindMyPast's 12-month subscriptions

FindMyPast is offering a 10% discount on most of its 12-month Local and World packages.  To take advantage of the savings, use the links below. The discount code will be automatically applied at the checkout.

The discounts will expire on Sunday 8 October.

	FindMyPast Ireland 10% Off 12 month Ireland / World packages		FindMyPast UK 10% off 12-month Britain / World packages
	FindMyPast Australia/NZ 10% off 12-month Australia / World package		FindMyPast US 10% off 12-month Premium package (For Starter package, see below)

Starter subscription available only via FindMyPast.com
Click banner for details.

Workhouse, Famine & Emigration conference, 7 Oct

On Saturday 7 October, the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, Co Galway will be hosting a Workhouse, Famine, and Emigration conference. The programme for the day is below:

Click to download pdf programme

9:30 am     Registration

9:45am     Welcome and Introduction, by Pierce Joyce. The conference is being chaired by Dr Christy Cunniffe who will share some of his own knowledge of 'relics int eh landscape' from this period.

10:10am    Exporting the 'permanent deadweight': emigration from the workhouse during The Famine, with Dr Gerard Moran.

11am         Tea/Coffee break

11:20am    Scariff Union Workhouse: fraught with fever, with Gerard Maddan.

12:10am    Counterprodutive: The Reproductive Loan Funds, with Steve Dolan.

1pm           Snack lunch

1:30pm      Tours of the Workhouse

2:30pm      Take care of the Emigrant Girls, with Dolores O'Shea.

3:20pm      Slow starvation: Why the workhouse system failed during the Great Famine, with Dr Christine Kinealy.

The conference is free and a light lunch will be provided; in lieu of a fee, attendees are requested to donate towards the development of a museum at the Irish Workhouse Centre.

Places are limited, so you need to book in advance by emailing info@irishworkhousecentre.ie or phoning 086 4070851.

Venue: Irish Workhouse Centre - Portumna, St. Bridget's Road, Portumna, Co. Galway.

Ancestry's ProGenealogists team in Dublin is to expand

Ancestry's ProGenealogists team in Dublin is to expand with the addition of a new Associate Genealogist role. The team, which was established in the summer of 2015, has grown to six people, and will become seven when this latest vacancy is filled.

The Associate Genealogist works with Research Managers to research, document, and prepare client sessions. The role involves gathering materials, clerical work, records dissemination and support, while allowing the Research Managers to focus on the Research project and analysis. This position will focus predominantly on Ireland, and Irish/US immigration records.

Clearly this is a professional position, demanding a degree level qualification in genealogy, history or a related field, plus at least two years' experience as a professional genealogist.

You can find a fuller job description and person specification on this recruitment page.