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.
Discount code: ireland25 (valid at Familytreewebinars.com)
Valid through: November 11, 2025
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
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
Great info at a great oace
Great information!
What a great webinar thanks Maggie. Great information on where to find Irish ancestors and useful hints like using maps. Griffiths Evaluation seems like an invaluable tool. I have been able to trace my maternal ancestors back to 1700 but my paternal line have stumped me! Now I have some new tools to see how far I can get. Thanks again.
It’s great to find out what records are available, where they’re available, and what areas and years they cover. Finding a record for your ancestor is like finding gold. Maggie Gaffney helps you understand what gems they contain and how to follow the information to more records. Just amazing!