Genealogy Queries
INFORMATION FOR FAMILY HISTORY SEARCHERS
Historical sacramental records are not kept at diocesan level: they remain with the parishes in which they were created. Not all sacramental records are complete, nor do they all survive the passage of time. These parish-based records are not computerised, so all searches are made by hand. Accessing and searching through large hand-written registers takes a great deal of time, particularly when handwriting is faded through age or difficult to read. Before contacting a parish, please ensure you have checked the National Library of Ireland online Catholic Parish Registers to see if you can access your family record yourself.
Direct access to parish registers by members of the public is not permitted for reasons of data protection, so you or your local nominee will not be able to search through record books yourself. Many parishes do not have administrative support, so there is neither time nor personnel available to deal with speculative family genealogy queries. A historical record request which contains precise information as to the type of record sought (baptism/marriage/death) and the relevant name/s and date/s may be accommodated. A small administrative fee may be charged.
If you wish to make a record request for a living person, please note that person must give their permission in writing, along with photo ID, nominating you to obtain the record on their behalf. You must also provide proof of your own identity.
If you are unsure about family details, please carry out as much research as you can before making a request at parish level. Most parishes are just not in a position to deal with non-specific genealogy queries. The National Library of Ireland has some helpful genealogy advisory web pages showing what’s available online and how to go about your family history search: see https://www.nli.ie/family-history.
The following websites may also be useful (some are subscription-based):
• National Archives: www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy
• National Archives 1901 and 1911 censuses: www.census.nationalarchives.ie
• National Library of Ireland – parish registers: www.registers.nli.ie
• Irish Graveyards: www.irishgraveyards.ie
• Find A Grave: www.findagrave.com
• Interment.net: www.interment.net
• From-Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
• Galway Family History Society: www.galwayroots.com
• Clare Heritage & Genealogy Centre: www.clareroots.com
• Roots Ireland: www.rootsireland.ie
• Irish Family History Centre: www.irishfamilyhistorycentre.com
• Irish Ancestors: www.johngrenham.com
• Irish Genealogy: www.irishgenealogy.ie
• Family Search: www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Ireland_Online_Genealogy_Records
• And for an idea of costs, see Irish Genealogy Services: www.irishgenealogyservices.com/services-costs
An explosion and fire in the Public Record Office in Dublin in 1922 destroyed many administrative records from the 13th to the 19th century, which makes family and other research that much more difficult.