Foundations of Irish Genealogy 11: The Valuation Office
Griffith's Valuation is the best-known 19th-century Irish census substitute. But the published Valuation itself is only the tip of the iceberg. Before publication, a huge surveying operation produced mountains of documents providing an excellent source of information on possible living relatives.
Griffith's Valuation is the best-known 19th-century Irish census substitute. But the published Valuation itself is only the tip of the iceberg. Before publication, a huge surveying operation produced mountains of documents providing an excellent source of information on possible living relatives.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 10: Registry of Deeds
Since 1704, the Registry of Deeds in Dublin has been providing legal registration of property transactions, often recording precious extended-family information in the process. The talk covers the nature of the transactions, the individuals involved and the main routes of access. This talk also covers the Genealogical Office.
Since 1704, the Registry of Deeds in Dublin has been providing legal registration of property transactions, often recording precious extended-family information in the process. The talk covers the nature of the transactions, the individuals involved and the main routes of access. This talk also covers the Genealogical Office.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 9: Wills and Directories
Both of these sources concern those with at least some property to their name, and both are now much easier to search online. The talk details relevance, locations and access, online and offline.
Both of these sources concern those with at least some property to their name, and both are now much easier to search online. The talk details relevance, locations and access, online and offline.
The usefulness of Irish newspapers as a research tool has been completely transformed by digitization. The talk outlines the main geographic areas covered by newspapers since the 18th century and provides a guide to online access, as well as some very useful offline sources.
The usefulness of Irish newspapers as a research tool has been completely transformed by digitization. The talk outlines the main geographic areas covered by newspapers since the 18th century and provides a guide to online access, as well as some very useful offline sources.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 7: Census Substitutes
Because of the destruction of almost all 19th-century censuses in 1922, census substitutes have taken on an unnatural importance for Irish research. This talk gives an overview of records involved, moving along the spectrum from things that are census-like to strange beasts that are nothing at all like a census.
Because of the destruction of almost all 19th-century censuses in 1922, census substitutes have taken on an unnatural importance for Irish research. This talk gives an overview of records involved, moving along the spectrum from things that are census-like to strange beasts that are nothing at all like a census.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 2: The Major Records I, General Register Office
All Irish births, deaths and marriages were registered by the state from 1864. At least in theory. This talk describes how the system worked, the nature of the records it produced and the many, often confusing ways those records are now available.
All Irish births, deaths and marriages were registered by the state from 1864. At least in theory. This talk describes how the system worked, the nature of the records it produced and the many, often confusing ways those records are now available.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 4: The Major Records III, Church Records
Before civil records started in 1864, Irish church records are often the only direct records of family events, and thus crucial to Irish genealogical research. This talk describes the locations and nature of the records, along with online and offline research strategies for the three major denominations, Roman Catholic, Church…
Before civil records started in 1864, Irish church records are often the only direct records of family events, and thus crucial to Irish genealogical research. This talk describes the locations and nature of the records, along with online and offline research strategies for the three major denominations, Roman Catholic, Church…
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 1: The Raw Materials of Irish Genealogy
The expectations and misconceptions that can be obstacles to Irish research are discussed and debunked. Surnames and place names, the most basic raw materials of genealogy, are both especially tricky in Ireland. The reasons are analysed and online tools for handling them are introduced.
The expectations and misconceptions that can be obstacles to Irish research are discussed and debunked. Surnames and place names, the most basic raw materials of genealogy, are both especially tricky in Ireland. The reasons are analysed and online tools for handling them are introduced.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 3: The Major Records II, Censuses
This talk comprises a brief history of census-taking in Ireland. Research strategies are outlined for the earliest complete census records, 1901 and 1911, and for surviving earlier fragments. Often overlooked by the descendants of Irish emigrants because they are so late, 1901 and 1911 can provide wonderful information on collateral…
This talk comprises a brief history of census-taking in Ireland. Research strategies are outlined for the earliest complete census records, 1901 and 1911, and for surviving earlier fragments. Often overlooked by the descendants of Irish emigrants because they are so late, 1901 and 1911 can provide wonderful information on collateral…
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 5: The Major Records IV, Nineteenth-Century Property Records
Only two country-wide 19th-century census substitutes exist for Ireland, Griffith's Valuation (1849-1864) and the Tithe Books (1823-1838). Here they are examined them in detail and research approaches are outlined.
Only two country-wide 19th-century census substitutes exist for Ireland, Griffith's Valuation (1849-1864) and the Tithe Books (1823-1838). Here they are examined them in detail and research approaches are outlined.
Foundations of Irish Genealogy 6: Bringing the Major Records Together
It is one thing to know what the records are. It is another thing entirely to know how to fit those records together to extract as much genealogical information as possible. This talk concentrates on showing how the major sources interact with each other and how each can be used…
It is one thing to know what the records are. It is another thing entirely to know how to fit those records together to extract as much genealogical information as possible. This talk concentrates on showing how the major sources interact with each other and how each can be used…
Genealogy Meets the Internet Archive and AI: A Comprehensive Review
Wed, January 7 2026: 16:30 UTC
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
AI as Partner, Not Replacement: Human-Led Research Planning in the Sally Keaton Case
Wed, January 7 2026: 17:45 UTC
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
From Problem to Solution: A Case Study Approach to Using AI in Genealogy
Wed, January 7 2026: 20:30 UTC
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
La fotografía de un desconocido: ¿punto de partida para una genealogía?
Tue, January 13 2026: 14:00 UTC
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
Using MyHeritage in Your Genealogical DNA Testing Plan
Tue, January 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
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