What records help if my ancestors left Ireland before civil registration began?
Civil registration began in 1864, with non-Catholic marriages registered from 1845, so earlier families are traced through other records. Work in this order. First, the parish registers, Catholic at the National Library site and Church of Ireland and other denominations through the National Archives, PRONI and local custody. Second, the Tithe Applotment Books of 1823 to 1837, which name land occupiers townland by townland. Third, Griffith's Valuation, published 1847 to 1864, which can place a relative who stayed. Add the surviving census fragments of 1821 to 1851, wills and estate papers where they exist. Expect gaps: most nineteenth century census returns were destroyed, in 1922 and by earlier official destruction.
Useful pages: The Irish surnames map · Trace your Irish roots · The 1926 Census guide · Coming home · Irish around the world · Plan your journey
Sources
- National Archives of Ireland: the 1901 and 1911 censuses, census fragments, Tithe Applotment Books and research guidance, nationalarchives.ie
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