Discovering exactly where your Irish ancestors hailed from can be a tricky exercise, especially with the lack of 19th century census returns. However, there is an abundance of other records that can help in your research, and this talk focuses on Griffith’s Valuation and the subsequent Revision (or Cancelled) books – what they are, what they can tell us, and where you can access them. Case studies are used to highlight a range of sources that can help you identify your family in these records, and discover the place where your ancestors left their footprints in Ireland.
Irish genealogical research is often considered a formidable challenge due to the destruction of significant census records in 1922, but this webinar expertly reframes the process, proving that a wealth of information survives and is readily accessible. The session focuses on leveraging property and tax records—specifically Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864), which lists every occupier and lessor, and the subsequent Cancelled Land Books—as powerful census substitutes. This paper trail is vital for understanding land tenure and tracking changes in occupancy year by year, effectively bridging the gap between the Valuation and the surviving 1901 and 1911 censuses. Crucially, the webinar emphasizes the necessity of collating every scrap of available information from foreign records before diving into the Irish archives. Successful research relies heavily on identifying the exact townland, parish, or Poor Law Union by analyzing sibling, sponsor, witness, and neighbor records (the “fan club” network) created after immigration, a strategy that provides the specificity needed to successfully navigate the Irish records and trace a family’s presence to the precise townland. Researchers are also encouraged to utilize historical resources like Samuel Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of Ireland and the surviving census reports to establish the social, economic, and demographic context of their ancestral place.
To unlock the full potential of these records and see detailed, step-by-step examples of lateral research in action, viewing the complete webinar is strongly encouraged. The syllabus includes additional resources and detailed links to further support your search. Don’t let the daunting reputation of Irish genealogy deter you; the records are there, and with the strategies outlined in this presentation, you are well-equipped to find your family’s history.
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Syllabus
Thank you for the wealth of information and resources. I will be recommending this webinar at the next meeting of the West Florida Genealogical Society, as outgoing president. My great-grandfather stowed away on a ship from Ireland (Dublin) in 1881. The first American census he was on was the 1990, which burned. He’s my brick wall, my needle in a haystack. I am hopeful this information and these resources will lead to a breakthrough for me. Thank you again!!!
What an excellent presentation, with so much information. I will be listening again and have already referred it to my Irish Interest Group.
Great presentation. Lovely mix of explanation and practical use examples.
Excellent presentation. Thank you so much for these more obscure but very accessible resources! I am keen to get at it and find more details. So much to do and so little time some days. 🤗
An excellent presentation which has already borne fruit for me.
Thank you.
Maggie’s presentation was very informative and clearly delivered, it provided me with several more leads for my Irish ancestry search.
She is very good — the syllabus was helpful and I am looking forward to going deeper looking for my line of M Donald/McDonald/MacDonald – be they Scots or Irish before immigrating to the colonies of America. Thank you Maggie. Personal note: my eldest daughter would have been named Margaret aka Maggie had she not been born on G-Grandma Katherine’s birthday and is much loved as Kate in our family and admired as Kathy by friends and co-workers.
Good Information