The earliest census available for all of Ireland is for the year 1901, earlier censuses having been destroyed in the fire of 1922 at the Public Record Office in Dublin, meaning a key genealogical building block is missing. This title offers a partial reconstruction of the 1841 and 1851 censuses of Northern Ireland.
This book focuses on how local historians can source and use the various censuses and universal taxation returns and a variety of other sources of the pre-census period to build up a population picture of a community or a local area. To set the scene, a brief history of enumeration in Ireland is outlined and the key population sources are introduced. The earliest sources considered in detail are the 1660 poll-tax return (commonly known as Pender's Census) and the hearth-tax rolls. All known available hearth-tax rolls are listed in an appendix. The various religious censuses of the eighteenth century are also examined and particular attention is paid to the most well known of these, the census of 1766. The use of non-census sources such as church and estate record is also considered. It is shown that these non-census sources can provide much useful information that would not be apparent from census substitutes. Problems with working with these sources are outlined and examples of population studies, both Irish and non-Irish, are given. Although this book is written with the local historian in mind it will also be of much interest to genealogists and family historians.
In all genealogical work the first and most important step is to establish the geographical origin of the ancestor. In Irish research the genealogist may know the name of the county where the ancestor lived but be puzzled about a place name given as the place of birth or residence. In all probability the place-name s that of a townland, the smallest territorial subdivision in Ireland. Since research in Ireland will usually start at the parish level, there must be a reference tool that will key the townland to the parish in which it is located. This work was prepared under the auspices of the British government for almost that purpose. The over 900 densely printed pages show the county, barony, parish, and poor law union in which the 70,000 townlands were situated in 1851, as well as the location of the townlands on the Great Ordnance Survey maps, with appendices containing separate indexes to parishes and baronies.
Discover your Irish roots! Trace your Irish ancestors from American shores back to the Emerald Isle. This in-depth guide from Irish genealogy expert Claire Santry will take you step-by-step through the exciting--and challenging--journey of discovering your Irish roots. You'll learn how to identify immigrant ancestor, find your family's county and townland of origin, and locate key genealogical resources that will breathe life into your family tree. With historical timelines, sample records, resource lists, and detailed information about where and how to find your ancestors online, this guide has everything you need to uncover your Irish heritage. In this book, you'll find: • The best online resources for Irish genealogy • Detailed guidance for finding records in the old country, from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland • Helpful background on Irish history, geography, administrative divisions, and naming patterns • Case studies that apply concepts and strategies to real-life research problems Whether your ancestors hail from the bustling streets of Dublin or a small town in County Cork, The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide will give you the tools you need to track down your ancestors in Ireland.
The first attempt at an official census, in 1813, was only a partial success. It was 1821 before a completed census was achieved. Thereafter decennial censuses were taken until 1911. Two interruptions to the decennial rhythm of population enumeration occurred: Partition and the Second World War. During this interim period, between 1921 and 1951, census taking was not forsaken, but disrupted in both the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. This book focuses on the ten censuses from 1821 to 1911, with special attention being given to the 1841 and 1851 censuses. Three distinct areas are discussed - their provenance, the contents and how the census aids our understanding of the Irish economy and society in the past.
The so-called '1659 Census' appears to be one of the most comprehensive and accessible of 'survey' documents that has come down to us from the mid-seventeenth century. Yet the 'Census' has received little scholarly analysis - no doubt because it is generally perceived as an incomplete, highly flawed and very ambiguous document. Once a clear picture of the strengths and deficiencies of the returns has been determined, what Professor Smyth seeks to demonstrate in this new introduction to Pender's edition is that the Census is a better, more consistent and much more important source of information on mid-seventeenth century Ireland than has been allowed for in the existing literature. Professor Smyth also locates the 'Census' in the context of William Petty's overall work objectives in the 1660s and by way of series of island-wide maps, reveals the relevance of the 'Census' to ongoing research on seventeenth century Ireland. -- front flap of dust jacket.