Irish Family History Society

Heritage Week 2008 with Dublin City Public Libraries
(25 August - 3 September)

Dublin City Libraries are holding many events in the Dublin City as part of Heritage Week 2008. Many are being held in Dublin City & Archive, Pearse Street, which will be known to many of our members as we hold our meetings there. Many events need to be booked in advance. See www.dublinheritage.ie/events for details. All events are free

Heritage Week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council with the support of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. See http://www.heritageweek.ie

The following announcements received from FFHS relating to British and U.S. research will of interest to many of our members.

The Society's office at Kilmurry is closed for our annual summer break. We will re-open on Tuesday 12th August. Any post received during that time will be dealt with immediately on our return. We will however, continue to read all emails sent to us.

August Outing 16th August - Marsh's Library Fully Booked.
Our August outing to Marsh's Library on Saturday 16th has proven to be very popular and it now fully booked. Any requests for places will be put on a waiting list should anyone who has booked be unable to come. This will be on a first come basis.

The Certificate in Local History, run by the National University of Ireland Maynooth, will be offered at Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse St., Dublin 2, beginning this autumn. The course runs from mid September 2008 to end April 2009 and the tutor is Dr. Seamas O Maitiu.
Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, from 18.00-21.00.
For more details, download:
Local History Brochure 2008-2009 (PDF, 267KB)
or
Local History Brochure 2008-2009 (MS Word, 52KB)

Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations is petitioning the Government to open the 1926 Irish Census.

"CIGO has long called for the early release of the Republic's 1926 census returns. These returns constitute the first snapshot of the Free State's population only four years after the creation of the State. Eighty-two years have elapsed since the census was compiled and few people from that time are now still living. Also, the data that was recorded in 1926 cannot be deemed 'sensitive' in terms of the information recorded in contemporary census records. CIGO argues that as the 1926 census holds vital genealogical information for so very many people born in Ireland before the commencement of civil registration, then these records should now be made available to the public. There is certainly a precedent for this as the 1911 census (which covers all of the island of Ireland) was first made available at Dublin's Public Record Office of Ireland (now the National Archives) in 1961 - only 50 years after it was compiled!

The Genealogical Society of Ireland is also firmly behind the campaign to get the 1926 census returns released to the public and as such has announced that it is to propose the publication of a parliamentary Bill providing for such access. The Bill is likely to be initiated through the Seanad (Senate and the Upper Chamber) of the Houses of the Oireachtas (the Republic's parliament). This move is very much in-line with CIGO's own policy and - in addition to CIGO's current negotiations with the Central Statistics Office (the body which controls access to all census records created since the foundation of the State) - we will be supporting GSI's Bill. Obviously - with only a slim chance of success - the campaign needs all the support it can harness and CIGO implores all those with an interest in Irish genealogy to support both it and GSI in anyway they can. Everyone who is interested in this issue can help the success of the campaign by signing CIGO's petition which is to be presented to Brian Cowen TD, the Taoiseach [Prime Minister] of Ireland."

The following announcements received from FFHS relating to British research will of interest to many of our members.

We had a good response to our request last year for articles for the 2007 journal and many thanks to all those who submitted articles for consideration. A few were held over until this year.

Once again we appeal for articles for our next journal. Please send to us as soon as possible. If you have any questions about type of article etc. please contact the Editor.

Articles can be sent by e-mail to mbeglan@indigo.ie or ifhs@eircom.net or posted in hard copy or on disc (if possible) to the Society, any photographs received will be returned unless you advise otherwise. If sending
by disc/E-mail the document should be in Word or similar.

The National Archives will host an Open Day of talks and tours on Saturday 13 September from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm.
During the day you will have the opportunity to:

o Be guided on how to undertake research among archival sources, whether for family research or local or national history

Whether you are a regular visitor to the National Archives, or have never visited us before, you will be welcome to come along at any time during the Open Day and learn a little more about our services.
Prior booking is essential for this event.

The Reading Room of the National Archives will remain open during Culture Night, Friday 19 September, from 5.00 pm until 9.00 pm when a small number of staff and a professional genealogist will be on
hand to provide information about the National Archives, its holdings and its services. No original archives will be produced in the Reading Room during these hours.

Whether you are a regular visitor to the National Archives, or you are a new visitor, you will be welcome to drop in at any time during the Culture Night and learn a little more about our services. Prior
booking is not required for this event.

     Reader Services Division,
     National Archives,
     Bishop Street,
     Dublin 8.

     Tel: (01) 407 2300 (from abroad + 353 1 407 2300)
     Lo Call: 1890 252424
     Fax: (01) 407 2333 (from abroad + 353 1 407 2333)
     Email: mail@nationalarchives.ie
     Website: www.nationalarchives.ie

The Military Archives will be closed until further notice, due to staff training and stocktaking. Any inconvenience caused to researchers is deeply regretted. Queries should be addressed by post to: Military Archives,
Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6.

Preparation work has begun for PRONI's move to new accommodation in the Titanic Quarter, Belfast.

To facilitate these preparations we will be closing two stores at a time for a minimum period of one month.

During these periods of closure, both staff and the public will not have access to documents in the closed stores, so we will be unable to produce some records.

The closures will also have an impact on the delivery of the enquiry/search service.

For information on the availability of particular records please contact us at by completing an online enquiry form. See ordering a document for further details."

August Outing 16th August - Marsh's Library Fully Booked.
Our August outing to Marsh's Library on Saturday 16th has proven to be very popular and it now fully booked. Any requests for places will be put on a waiting list should
anyone who has booked be unable to come. This will be on a first come basis.

Visit to Marsh's Library, St. Patrick's Close, Dublin 8. (Close to St. Patrick's Cathedral). See their website www.marshlibrary.ie for more information.
There is a small charge, which can be paid direct on the visit, of €2.50 and €1.50 for senior citizens. Numbers are limited so early booking is essential. Names to I.F.H.S., P.O. Box 36, Naas, Co. Kildare or email:
ifhs@eircom.net or phone Mary Beglan 01-8310848.

Members of the Irish Genealogical Research Society will be joining us for this visit.

With effect from 1st June 2008 the General Register Office (Northern Ireland) www.groni.gov.uk has increased its fees as follows:

Index search, including 4 free verifications, is now £12
Each verification from a Register entry is now £3
The 'assisted search' of Registers is now £26 per hour
Full certified copies of events, with details supplied, will now cost £6

The National Library of Ireland recently announced a new exhibition of photographs of historic Irish vehicles and important moments in Irish transport history will open at the National Photographic Archive in Temple Bar on 26 June 2008.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles draws on several of the Library's photographic collections including the Lawrence, Morgan, Independent Newspapers Ireland, Poole, O'Dea collections as well as the recently acquired Justin Nelson collection. Among the images included in the 'planes' section is an historic photograph of Amelia Earhart on her arrival in Derry from Newfoundland in 1932. Featured 'train' photographs include images of early steam trains, the crash at Harcourt Street Station in Dublin in February 1910, and the launch of the DART in 1984 by the then Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald.

The National Library of Ireland allows public access to Roman Catholic parish registers for Cashel & Emly, Cloyne and Kerry.

The National Library announced recently that access is now available to their microfilm copies of Roman Catholic parish registers from the dioceses of Cashel & Emly, Cloyne and Kerry. While access to Cloyne and Kerry was allowed subject to permission from the Diocese, access was not allowed at all to the Cashel & Emly registers. For further details see www.cigo.ie

The National Library have updated their Family History - Parish Registers Guide, while is available on their web site, to denote this change. The online listing of the parish registers and their microfilm call numbers has been updated to show the call numbers for all parishes including Kerry and Cashel & Emly. See NLI web site www.nli.ie under Family History.

2008 RARE BOOKS FAIR, CLASSIC CARS, GUIDED WALKING TOUR AND BOOK LAUNCH
KILDARE TOWN Sunday 1st June

The third County Kildare Book Fair will take place on Sunday afternoon on the 1st June in Kildare Town. This will be an opportunity for those interested in Local History and heritage as well as the general population who are interested in books and reading in general to visit a Rare Books Fair outside of Dublin. It is being organised by the Local Studies, Genealogy and Archives Department of Kildare County Library and Arts Service in conjunction with Kildare Town Heritage Centre, Kildare Parish Centre, Kildare County Council, the Kildare Classic Car Association and Lyonshill Books. According to Local Studies Librarian, Mario Corrigan, "there is an enormous interest in Dublin and other areas in this sort of event and after the success of the first two County Kildare Book Fairs in 2006 and 2007 we in County Kildare people in the county are looking forward to the event. It is an ideal opportunity also for anyone who has not yet visited the Kildare Retail Outlet Village to come to the town and see what is on offer."

The main event is free and open to all and will allow people to browse the books on offer in The Kildare Parish Centre. "The idea behind the two venues is to encourage people to walk through Kildare Town, visit Kildare Cathedral and thoroughly enjoy the day," said Mario Corrigan who has published a Sli na Slainte and Heritage Trail of Kildare Town and is anxious that people enjoy the experience that Kildare, the Heritage Town has to offer. This year there will also be the added attraction of a Walking Tour of Kildare Town at 1 p.m. - places can be pre-booked through the Heritage Centre and price for the tour is €3.

Eddie Murphy of Lyonshill Books is delighted to be able to add County Kildare to a growing list of Book Fairs that he and his colleagues have orchestrated. "It is an immensely pleasurable experience, whereby people can browse the stalls and hopefully with this new initiative in Kildare Town take in some of the rich heritage of such an historic setting - maybe pause in the local shops or the local cafes and pubs for a coffee and even visit the Outlet Village for a unique shopping experience. We do hope this year proves to be as successful as last year when we had a great turn out," said Mr. Murphy.

So why not take an afternoon break on Sunday 1st June and come to Kildare Town to the County's Rare Books Fair - maybe in search of a unique gift or just to amble through the historic streets and enjoy the experience. Why not enjoy the unique shopping experience that is 'Kildare Retail Outlet Village,' and Kildare Town Heritage Centre has a host of collectibles and gift ideas to wet you appetite.

As well as book dealers and local authors, The Kildare Archaeological Society, Kildare Federation of Local History Groups, the Grey Abbey Conservation Project and Cill Dara Historical Society will provide information on their organisations and activities on display for people to view. The Kildare Classic Car Association will be on-hand as Sunday 1st June is the date for their annual Gordon Bennett Commemorative Rally and the cars will be parked on the Square during the afternoon. It is planned to have a BOOK LAUNCH on the same afternoon in the Heritage Centre at 3pm on the Market Square - This historic occasion is being organised by the Local Studies, Genealogy and Archives Department of Kildare County Library and Arts Service in conjunction with Kildare Town Heritage Centre and all proceeds from the sale of the book - A Topographical Dictionary of County Kildare in 1837 will go to the Heritage Centre. This will be a must for anyone interested in the history and heritage of County Kildare. All in all it is an ideal day out.

THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, RARE, ANTIQUARIAN AND LOTS OF BARGAINS - FREE VALUATIONS !!!

The Irish Genealogical Research Society has recently announced details of their June outing to Stormont and Hillsborough Castle, Co. Down. The IFHS as usual will join with them for this visit.

Time	Event	Cost
9.00 9.30	The departure is from Pius X Church, College Drive, Templeogue at 9 o'c or National Museum, Kildare St., at 9.30	€16
10.15	Morning coffee break	€5
12.00	Tour of Stormont	.
13.00	Lunch in Member's Diningroom (3 course) Choice of main: Turkey and Ham or Vegetarian	Stg £25 €30
14.30	Tour Hillsborough Castle and Gardens	Stg £5. €7
16.15	Afternoon Tea Break at Ballydougan Pottery, Gilford	Stg £5 €7
17.15	Depart for Dublin	.
.	.	.
.	Total	€65

Please use the .PDF form here to reserve your place and make payment to Richard Flatman, Hon Treasurer IGRS.

I.F.H.S. members who have earlier indicated their interest will be contacted shortly by Steven Smyrl I.G.R.S.

At the recent Who Do You Think You Are Show held in London in May 2008 the new Times online archive was launched. The online archive covers the period 1785 to 1985. The Times digital newspapers has been available for many years in Libraries, Universities and such like. The newly re-designed web-site is now aimed at the general market and includes many articles of historical interest.

Over the next months, The Times will be adding post-1985, as well as The Sunday Times from its launch in 1822.

For a limited period of time, all of the Times Archive will be free. However, it is necessary to register with Times Online to view articles that you have searched for.

The IFHS held it's AGM on Saturday 14th April in the Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse St. Dublin, which was well attended.

The Hon. Chairman, Mary Beglan read the minutes of the 2007 AGM followed by the Chairman's report. Mary updated the meeting with the current position regarding various matters. As we are all aware the Dublin 1911 census went live in December 2007 and the remaining counties are due over the course of the next two years.

The General Register Office Research Room has now moved to Lr. Abbey St. The indexes are now available once again on open access; however the 5 day limit on photocopies still applies. The Irish Family History Foundation's website http://www.irish-roots.ie was officially launched in March aboard the ship "Jeannie Johnston" on Dublin Quays. Patricia Moorhead and Mary Beglan attended the launch. Mary asked about the lack of a search facility on parents' names when she was advised that this was scheduled to be looked at in April. Some recent changes were announced with regard to the Registry of Deeds. With effect from May 1st 2008 there will be no charge for a daily search of public records prior to 1970; however the cost of a copy memorial will increase from EURO 12 to EURO 20.

Mary Beglan advised that IFHS had recently registered a new domain address (www.ifhs.ie). She advised the meeting that we are currently in the process of setting out our requirements with an IT specialist and expect to progress this over the coming few months.

The Hon. Treasurer, John Heueston followed with the Hon. Treasurer's report, when he gave a detailed report on the Society's finances. Last year John spoke on the withdrawal of the Credit Card facility. He told how the PayPal facility, which was set up last December by our webmaster Ian Johnston, was working well with many members renewing online, as well as a number of new members.

The election of Officers for 2008-2009 and committee then took place. Gerry Cahill was elected Hon. Chairman for the coming year, taking over from the outgoing Chairman Mary Beglan who held the position for the past five years. Mary has taken on the position of Editor of the Society's various publications.

The Office Bearers for the year 2008/9 are:
                                Hon. Chairman:         Gerry P. Cahill
                                Vice Chairman:         Eddie Brennan
                                Hon. Treasurer:         John Heueston
                                Hon. Editor:              Mary Beglan

                                Committee:   Mona Germain Dolan
                                                    John Dyer
                                                    Richard Flatman
                                                    Ian Johnston
                                                    Pat Moorhead
                                                    Michael Murphy
                                                    Bernadette Murray
                                                    Joan Sharkey

Incoming Hon. Chairman Gerry P. Cahill with Hon. Treasurer John Heueston

During the Any Other Business section of the meeting a number of questions and comments were made including news IFHS web site. Mary Beglan advised that that we hope to include a Member's only section which we are currently unable to do on our free web page.

The A.G.M. was completed at 12.30 approx. A number of us had a light lunch upstairs in the Dublin City Library Café and enjoyed chatting with our fellow members. Others enjoyed lunch at a nearby café at St. Andrew's Resource.

As always a special thank you also goes to the Dublin City Library & Archives for allowing us the use of their premises and for their help throughout the morning.

The Society of Australian Genealogists (http://www.sag.org.au/) recently advised us of their new CD-Rom which provides a fully searchable transcription of the 1901 Census of County Clare, Ireland. Details of more than 112,000 individuals are included. Advanced search features allow searches by name, occupation, age, county of birth, place of enumeration and much more - 38 searchable fields! For Windows 98, XP and Vista.

Special pre-publication price of AUS$35, includes GST and ordinary post within Australia. Available at this special pre-publication price ONLY if order is received by 31 May 2008.

"I am presently writing a history of the Dublin Docklands from Sheriff Street to the Pigeon House. I wonder if you or your members might be able to recommend persons familiar with this area who I might talk to in coming months. If you would rather give them my phone number or email, that would be fine by me.

Turtle Bunbury
www.turtlebunbury.com
Lisnavagh House, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow, Ireland
www.lisnavagh.com
Mob: + 353 - (0) 87 - 6453 486

Mr Turtle Bunbury is a best-selling author, scriptwriter, travel writer and historical consultant based in Ireland. His next book 'The Irish Pub' will be published by Thames
& Hudson in September 2008. His most recent book 'Vanishing Ireland' was shortlisted for the Easons Irish Published Book of the Year Award 2007.

The National Library has recently launched its Strategic Plan 2008-2010. Hard copies of the plan are currently available in the National Library and can also be downloaded in PDF in English and Irish from the Library's website http://www.nli.ie/en/udlist/reports-and-policy-documents.aspx

New parish registers available at Dublin City Library & Archive Pearse St, Dublin 2.

On the 29th March 2008 Dublin City Library announced that additional parish registers were added to their databases at their Pearse St. premises. These registers are in addition to those previously available in the Library and on the Dublin Heritage web site www.dublinheritage.ie for the present it will be necessary to visit the Library to view these records.

The additional Parish registers available are:

Clondalkin CI
Clondalkin CI
Clondalkin CI

Clondalkin RC
Clondalkin RC

Palmerstown RC
Palmerstown RC

Rathfarmham RC
Rathfarmham RC

Sandyford RC
Sandyford RC

St. Agatha's RC
St. Agatha's RC

St. Andrew's RC
St. Andrew's RC

St. Audoen's CI
St. Audoen's CI
St. Audoen's CI

St. Audoen's RC
St. Audoen's RC

St. Catherine's CI
St. Catherine's CI
St. Catherine's CI

St. Catherine's RC
St. Catherine's RC

St. James's CI
St. James's CI
St. James's CI

St. James's RC
St. James's RC

St. John's CI
St. John's CI
St. John's CI

St. Jude's CI

St. Kevin's CI

St. Mary's RC Haddington Rd.
St. Mary's RC Haddington Rd.

St. Matthew's CI
St. Matthew's CI

St. Michael's & John's RC
St. Michael's & John's RC

St. Michan's RC

St. Nicholas Within CI
St. Nicholas Within CI
St. Nicholas Within CI

St. Nicholas Without CI
St. Nicholas Without CI
St. Nicholas Without CI

St. Paul's CI
St. Paul's CI
St. Paul's CI

St. Peter's CI
St. Peter's CI
St. Peter's CI

St. Stephen's CI

St. Werburg's CI
St. Werburg's CI
St. Werburg's CI

Taney CI
Taney CI
Taney CI

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms
Marriages
Burials

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

Baptisms

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms
Burials

Baptisms
Marriages

Baptisms

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

Baptisms

Baptisms
Burials
Marriages

1728-1899
1724-1900
1732-1891

1778-1896
1778-1900

1798-1855
1838-1859

1777-1857
1832-1864

1823-1900
1823-1856

1852-1899
1853-1899

1742-1902
1741-1892

1715-1900
1746-1860
1673-1885

1778-1893
1800-1883

1679-1895
1679-1898
1679-1845

1740-1781
1740-1776

1740-1902
1746-1883
1774-1845

1803-1882
1832-1896

1619-1878
1620-1847
1619-1844

1857-1901

1883-1904

1798-1876
1798-1876

1827-1900
1827-1853

1743-1899
1743-1856

1744-1869

1688-1863
1671-1866
1688-1850

1694-1861
1694-1852
1699-1851

1723-1780
1702-1780
1723-1779

1670-1847
1670-1883
1670-1845

1838-1912

1704-1805
1790-1805
1704-1831

1791-1901
1814-1900
1795-1900

National Library of Ireland - Self Service Photocopying now available.

The National Library recently introduced Self-Service Photocopying on Reading Room Floor.

The service is available to readers subject to (i) the provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (details avaible in the Library) and (ii) the following exceptions:

" Books published prior to 1880
" Books from the Library's rare books and special collections including the LO, Joly, Dix and Thom collections
" Items larger than A3
" Books which are bound very tightly and do not open flat, including some paperbacks
" Books with fine historical bindings
" Damaged and/or fragile books including, for example, those with detached covers or spines, loose pages or plates, badly torn pages or brittle paper
" Books with spines which are thicker than 8cm (3 inches)
" Folded pullouts which are larger than the book
" Any other material considered vulnerable by Library staff

While readers may not themselves photocopy any of the material described above, it may be possible to have the material scanned or photographed by Library staff. Staff are happy to advise on alternative forms of copying.

All items must be examined by a member of the Library's reprographics staff before being copied.

Registry of Deeds - Changes in Fees effective 1st May 2008.

Various changes to the Land Registry Fees come into effect from 1st May 2008. Of those of direct interest to genealogists are:

General search, without limitation, each day, by each member of the Public against all indexes prior to 1970 Nil. (This was previously €6 per day)

For every certified copy of a memorial or application €20.00 (This was previously €12 each)

For full details see Land Registry web site
http://www.landregistry.ie/eng/news/new_registry_of_deeds_rules_and_fees_order.html

23 March 2008

13 March 2008

IFHS recently received this exciting news from CIGO: Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery to go 'On-Line'

Glasnevin Cemetery, once known as Prospect cemetery and which opened in 1832, is well known to the folk of Dublin as the last resting place of many of its deceased citizens. It covers a vast area of over 120 acres in which over the years there have been approximately 1.2 million burials. Although there is no rule barring non-Catholics from being buried there, it has generally been used only by the capital's Catholic citizens. Non-Catholics have generally favoured Mount Jerome Cemetery, on the Southside of the city, which was first opened in 1836.

Recently, one of CIGO's Executive Liaison Officers (Steven Smyrl) was asked by Glasnevin to give it the benefit of his experience about what genealogists would expect to obtain from an on-line service allowing access to the Cemetery's computerised registers. Having done their homework about modern practices relating to releasing data on the Internet, Glasnevin hopes it will be ready during the coming weeks to launch the service. It will be a pay-per-view service and all funds raised from it will be used to maintain the cemetery. Given that the vast majority of the Cemetery's plots are family graves, the records - which stretch back 175 years - record invaluable information about Dublin families. In light of the lack of 19th century census records for the capital, this information is all the more precious. You can read more about the subject here and here.

See also www.cigo.ie

25 February 2008

31 January 2008

Summer Outings 2008

Saturday 28 June 2008 - All Day Outing.
Joint with the Irish Genealogical Research Society - Ireland Branch.

This year's Annual 'Summer Outing' will be to Northern Ireland where we will be given a guided tour of Stormont (Parliament Buildings) followed by lunch served in the members diningroom. In the afternoon we will be shown around Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough, Co. Down. Cost to be announced a little later when finalised. We expect this venue to be popular so it is important that expressions of interest in attending should be e-mailed to Steven Smyrl at smyrl@indigo.ie without delay.

17 January 2008

National library of Ireland. www.nli.ie Irish Times Digital Archive available to readers.

Readers can now gain full access to the Irish Times Digital Archive in the Library's reading rooms.

The fully searchable Digital Archive contains exact reproduction of all editions published by the Irish Times from 1859 onwards. There is also a Text Archive which contains
all articles published on Ireland.com including the Irish Times online and Breaking News from 1996 onwards.

[Note. The Irish Times Digital Archive is also available in Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse St., Dublin and in public libraries]

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Web site re-launched

PRONI's web site www.proni.gov.uk was re-launched in early January 2008. They have undertaken a comprehensive redesign of their website.

In addition to the Ulster Covenant and Freeholders databases previously available the web site now includes the 1858-c.1920 Will Calendars Index. The index to wills is based on the entries in the will calendars which summarised every will proved and all letters of administration granted. There are over 148,000 entries. This is the first phase of a project to index and digitise all the early wills that were proved in the District Probate Registries of Armagh, Belfast and Londonderry from 1858 to c.1900. It provides a fully searchable index to the will calendar entries for these 3 District Probate Registries with the facility to view the entire will calendar entry for each successful search. The second phase will link the index entries to both the will calendar entries and the copy wills on the History of Probate page.

Other additional features as detailed in their News archive are:
o A 'New to archives' section aims to help visitors new to research by explaining what archives are and how they can be used.
o The 'About PRONI' and 'Visiting PRONI' sections gives extensive guidance on what visitors can expect when coming to PRONI and the services that are available. There is
also useful information and contacts for overseas visitors planning a trip to PRONI.
o 'Your records' gives advice and guidance on how visitors can look after their own personal archives and how to deposit records with PRONI.
o PRONI's 'Your Family Tree' leaflet series has been updated
o The 'Frequently Asked Questions' page has been greatly expanded to cover more topics and answer more queries.

Electronic catalogue. eCATNI
PRONI's web site states that they are currently converting all of its catalogues from paper volumes into a computerised database or electronic catalogue making it possible
to comprehensively search the contents of all the catalogues quickly and easily by subject, place, person or any keyword.

PRONI is planning a phased launch of its electronic catalogue to begin in Spring, 2008.

Fifteen Year Membership Cetificates

IFHS Committee members Pat Moorhead (left) and Mona Germaine-Dolan (right) were among sixteen Society members who received their Fifteen Year Membership Certificates in 2007.


Pat Moorhead	Mona Germaine-Dolan

10 January 2008

Journal of the Irish Family History Society Volume 23 2007.

The 2007 journal was posted to Ireland members on Friday 4th January 2008 and the remainder were posted on Wednesday 9th January. We regret that we were unable to issue before Christmas as usual. A group of volunteers came in especially to pack the journals last week and many thanks to them for doing so.


The Task - Packing and Postage	The Team - John, Susan and Eddie, plus Mary who took the pictures.

We hope you enjoy reading this year's journal. Articles include:

Editorial    Richard Flatman.
Emigrants from Offaly to Nelson     Helen Whelen
Lottery Win circa 1802!     Margaret (O'Shea) Jordan
My Irish Ancestry - a 3x great granddaughter's view     Elizabeth Kraus
A Clareman's Journey to the Antipodes      Loreley A. Marling
Surprising Benefit of I.F.H.S. Membership     David Wilkins & Peter Davies
Human Ballast on Cargo Ships      Hilary Murphy
Bringing History to Life     George R. Ingham
"What's in a Name"      Peter R.B. Davies
Emigrated to Mexico      Patrick Power
Assessing Australian Army Records      Ignatius Fennessy OFM
Artane Industrial School      Brian Wray
A Tully Lineage in Canada & USA from 1840' till to-day      Ken Watson
'The Story of the Ringrose' Part II      Ken Watson
Irish Methodist Newspapers - A Neglected Resource     G. Rex Meyer
Have You Shaken Your Family Tree?      Tony Duffy
Rathfarnham Burial Ground     Kieran Swords
Book Review

Copies of the journal are available to non-members at a cost of €12 plus postage. See Publications page for details.

10 December 2007

Irish Genealogy Seminar & Cruise - January 2009

TIARA is organizing an Irish genealogy cruise in January 2009. TIARA is a nonprofit organization established to develop and promote the growth, study and exchange of ideas among people and organizations interested in Irish genealogical and historical research and education. They are based in Boston but have a national membership. You do not have to be a member to join the cruise.

DATES: Saturday, January 10 through Sunday, January 18, 2009

SHIP: Royal Caribbean, Independence of the Seas

ITINERARY: 8 night Eastern Caribbean cruise, begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale

Genealogy conferences held on cruise ships have become very popular. The price is comparable to attending a national conference and you get a fabulous vacation at the same time! This is also a wonderful opportunity to travel with friends and family who are not interested in your passion.
Speakers
· Valerie Adams, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Belfast
· Mary Ellen Grogan, TIARA, Boston
· George Handran, Boston (expert on Griffith's Valuation)
· Michael J. Leclerc, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston
· Gregory O'Connor, National Archives of Ireland, Dublin
· Eileen and Sean O'Duill, Dublin
A deposit of US$250 per person must be made by February 3rd 2008. The remainder of the payment is due in October 2008. Cabins may be available after February 3, 2008 but the group rate is no longer guaranteed.
For full details visit the Tiara web site www.tiara.ie

TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association) www.tiara.ie
Dept. W. 2120 Commonwealth Ave., Auburndale, Massachusetts 02466-1909

Public Records Office of Northern Ireland.

The following message has been issued by PRONI www.proni.gov.uk.

Restricted late evening opening service
PRONI regrets that from Thursday 3 January 2008 it will be necessary to restrict the late evening opening service available to our customers.
The Self-Service Microfilm Room will remain open: Customers can access:
· Church records
· 1901 Census
· index to the civil registers of births
· Place name and personal names index to the Registry of Deeds
· Tithe Applotment books,
· Abstracts of the 1858 -1900 wills
· Plus other popular sources available on microfilm or microfiche.
The Search Room will also remain open as normal: customers can continue to use the
· catalogues, guides and indexes
· computerised wills database
· Irish Emigration Database of the Centre for Migration Studies
· Findmypast and Irish Origins websites subscribed to by PRONI.
However, the last orders for documents produced in the Reading Room will be 5.30pm and not 8.15pm as at present. Any orders placed before 5.30pm will be fulfilled and customers can remain in the Reading Room to consult the records up to 8.45pm.
We will be reviewing the situation on a monthly basis and intend to resume the full evening service at the earliest possible moment.

6 December 2007

1911 Irish Census

"We are pleased to announce that the 1911 census for Dublin City and County was launched on the internet as a free service on Monday 2nd. December 2007. To access this service go to web site www.census.nationalarchives.ie Other counties will be added on an ongoing basis with an expected completion date of December 2008. It is hoped to have the 1901 census available in 2009."

29 November 2007

New proprietors of Irish Roots magazine.

We have received the following notice which we repeat for our readers:

"Maureen and Julie Phibbs are pleased to announce that they are the new proprietors of Irish Roots magazine. Maureen has many years genealogical experience and her daughter Julie hails from a background of TV production and journalism. The magazine will continue to be produced quarterly and Maureen as editor looks forward to receiving contributions of a genealogical and historical nature from all family history societies throughout the Country in order to ensure that societies of this ilk continue to thrive. Maureen can be contacted at editor@irishrootsmagazine.com and the website is www.irishrootsmagazine.com. The yearly subscription including postage is 21 euros for Ireland and 23 euros elsewhere."

22 November 2007

5 November 2007

3 November 2007

COUNCIL OF IRISH GENEALOGICAL ORGANISATIONS

Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 6th November 2007
Freemasons’ Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2
AGM 7:00pm
Lecture 8:00pm
Speaker: Noelle Dowling
**Catholic Diocesan Archivist**
‘Records of the Catholic Diocese of Dublin’
Bookstall, Raffle & Bar
COUNCIL OF IRISH GENEALOGICAL ORGANISATIONS
FREE ADMISSION

30 October 2007

Heraldic functions of the National Library of Ireland.

24 October 2007: Statement from J Gerard Danaher, SC, Chairperson of the Board of the National Library of Ireland.

Following public questioning of the legal basis of the National Library of Ireland's heraldic functions, the Board of the National Library suspended the exercise of those functions pending receipt of the advice of the Attorney General on the matter.

That advice is to the effect that, on a proper construction of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, the Board can exercise the heraldic powers provided for in the Act although, with minor amendment, the wording of the Act could be made more succinct.

The Board of the Library has formally brought this advice to the attention of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and understands that the matter is under his consideration.

However, in light of the advice it has received, the Board is satisfied that it can exercise the heraldic powers conferred on it by the 1997 Act and has, accordingly, lifted its temporary suspension on doing so.

The Board is aware that doubts exist regarding the legal basis of heraldic functions exercised in the State prior to the establishment of the Board. Such issues that may exist or arise in that regard are matters to be addressed by the State, and not by the National Library of Ireland.

22 October 2007

New records added to Irish Genealogical Online Record Search System

We have received the following notice from the Irish Family History Foundation -

As part of the continuing Irish Family History Foundation's Online Research Service (ORS) we are pleased to announce the availability of the records of the Roscommon Heritage Centre. This adds over half a million more baptismal, birth, death and marriage records that can be searched and purchased online.

Just go to the following site and login using your existing IFHF login details. http://roscommon.brsgenealogy.com

The ORS is a national initiative organized by the Irish Family History Foundation which co-ordinates and represents the county based genealogical centres on the island of Ireland. Over the coming months the records of other centres will become available firstly as individual county databases, and then these will be amalgamated into one Irish records database which will allow searching across all counties and sources.

Remember that you can purchase and spend your credit at any of the IFHF onlines centres.

The follow sites are currently live:
Armagh Ancestry
Swords Heritage Centre
North Tipperary Genealogy Centre
Roscommon Heritage and Genealogy Centre

We hope you find the sites useful, and we will keep you informed as to when more Irish Family History Foundation Centres go online in the coming weeks.

12 September 2007

150 years of 'Irish Times' goes online

Irish Times is expanding their database.

Follow this link to the news article: http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0911/breaking72.htm

Here are a couple of quotes from the announcement:

"Genealogists and those researching their ancestors should also find the site of particular interest.
Birth notices, obituaries, social notices, court reports and inquests give considerable insight.
Written in the language of the time, reports also reflect the social and historical background of daily life."

"The site is accessible through http://www.ireland.com/search/ and pricing starts at €10 for a 24-hour pass. The official launch event will
take place in the Mansion House on October 8th."

30 August 2007

Public Records Office of Northern Ireland - move announced to new premises.

On 23 August 2007 Culture Minister Edwin Poots announced that the Titanic Quarter will be the location for a new, state of the art Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
In his announcement the Minister said: "My Department has committed £30 million to the re-location of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in the hope that everyone from the region and indeed visitors to Northern Ireland can use the resources it holds. The new state of the art facilities will greatly enhance public access, with the new building being prominently located within easy reach of many transport routes.

Given the choice of location it is very appropriate that many of the records held by PRONI including some on the Titanic, will be returning home to where they were originally drawn up and written. The regeneration of the Titanic Quarter, which is a very high profile landmark site in Belfast, will formally put PRONI on the map as a must see tourist attraction for local, national and international visitors."

Trinity Quarter is located beside the new Belfast Metropolitan College and within walking distance of Belfast City Centre.
The timescale for the new record office is to have it open to the public in August 2010.
For the full wording of the Minister's announcement see PRONI's web site www.proni.gov.uk

3 July 2007

Dublin City Library & Archive, 138/144 Pearse St., Dublin 2.

New to Holdings.

Newspapers. – The Evening Irish Times January 1902 – October 1921
The Daily Express July 1907 – December 1915

Dublin Electoral Rolls Database.
        1937 – 1945
        1949 – 1951
        1954 – 1957
        1962 – 1964
Database prepared by John Grenham Genealogist in residence Dublin City Library & Archive.

12 April 2007

National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

A number of changes have recently taken place at the National Library.

1. With effect from Monday 16th April 2007 the National Library's premises in Kildare
    Street will open to the public at the earlier time of 9.30am, Monday to Saturday.
2. The Microfilm Reading room located off the Reading Room is reserved for Newspaper
     microfilm only. Self serve printing facilities are available in the room and print cards
     for €2 or €1 can be got from a dispensing machine or at the Reading Room counter.
     Printouts costs 50c each.
3. A second Microfilm Room is now available on the first floor level for
    Catholic Parish registers and Manuscripts. Printing of these records is not allowed.
4. The Catalogue Room is now for Copying only and a limited self service facility is
    planned for books from 1880, which should be available within a few weeks.
5. The Catalogues have been moved into the Reading Room.
6. PCs for accessing The Times Newspapers and other sources are now located in the first
    floor Microfilm Room
7. The Genealogy Advisory Service has now returned to the main building on the first
    floor landing. The Genealogy Service hours are Monday to Friday: 10.00am-12.30pm;
    2pm - 4.45pm.

England & Wales 1911 Census Digitisation – National Archives, Kew, England.

The following notice was received from the Federation of Family History Societies. The Irish Family History Society is a member of FFHS.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNER IN DIGITISING THE 1911 CENSUS
The National Archives is delighted to announce that Scotland Online will partner the UK government's official archive in the forthcoming project to put the 1911 census for England and Wales online.
Scotland Online was established in 1995, and is one of the UK's leading Internet business solutions providers. In 2002, in partnership with the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS), Scotland Online established what is now one of the world's leading genealogy websites ScotlandsPeople www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
The 1911 census (document references RG14 and RG78) is huge - it currently occupies 2 kilometres of shelving at The National Archives. Comprising over eight million householder schedules and a further 38,000 enumerators' summary books, it details information relating to approximately 35 million people then living in England and Wales.
Once digitised the census will take up an equally large ½ a petabyte of computer memory or, physically, 800 data tapes. The digital scanning alone in preparation for digitisation will create 18 million images - 14 times the number of images created in advance of the 1901 census being launched online in 2002.
From 2009 there will be a phased release of the information in the 1911 census starting with the major conurbations. This will include images and transcription data, but with sensitive data redacted in line with the Information Commissioner's recent ruling. From 3 January 2012 the public will have full access to the entire 1911 census, including the information not accessible in 2009. Researchers anywhere in the world will be able to
search across the fields of the census by name, address or The National Archives reference, and download high-resolution digital images.
Maggie Loughran
Administrator, Federation of Family History Societies www.ffhs.org.uk

It will greatly assist us if members include their membership number in all communications.

e-mails to ifhs@eircom.net

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