Irish Ancestors - 5 More Essential Websites You Need to Know About

In this insightful webinar presented by Natalie Bodle through Legacy Family Tree Webinars, genealogists are guided on a virtual journey through five indispensable websites that offer powerful tools for researching Irish ancestry. Building on a prior presentation that covered foundational resources, this session introduces additional online archives and platforms that are essential for anyone delving into Irish genealogical research. With a strong focus on maximizing access to free or lesser-known databases, Natalie’s expertise provides both beginner and advanced researchers with practical methods for uncovering elusive Irish family records.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Use of the National Archives (UK)
  While based in England, The National Archives (TNA) holds a surprising wealth of Irish records, including wills, military service files, and church court probate documents. Researchers can benefit from the Discovery Catalogue and digitized collections, such as the British Army Medal Index Cards and pre-1858 wills, many of which are freely accessible with a free account.

• Griffith’s Valuation: More Than Just Names and Maps
  The Ask About Ireland website hosts this essential mid-19th-century property survey, which serves as a vital census substitute. Natalie explains how to navigate it effectively—including interpreting by-names, understanding land plot coding, and using townland indexes—and demonstrates how to cross-reference with estate records or use modern tools like Irish Townlands and Google Earth to locate ancestral properties.

• Uncovering Legal and Land Transactions Through the Registry of Deeds
  Though often underutilized due to complexity, the Registry of Deeds contains millions of legal documents such as wills, leases, and marriage settlements. Natalie showcases multiple access points, including FamilySearch Labs’ experimental full-text AI search, the Registry of Deeds Index Project, and Ireland’s Virtual Record Treasury, where color digitizations and searchable abstracts expand access to this rich archive.

To truly unlock the potential of these digital resources, viewing the full webinar is highly recommended. Natalie’s live demonstrations and expert tips make it easier to navigate each platform confidently, potentially uncovering details that were previously out of reach.

For those passionate about tracing Irish roots, the accompanying syllabus is packed with direct links, advanced research strategies, and further reading to deepen your knowledge. Explore the Legacy Family Tree Webinar Library to access this session and related Irish genealogy content—an invaluable toolkit for building your family history with clarity and confidence.