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Church Records Census Substitutes Newspapers Gravestone

Church Records Census Substitutes Newspapers Gravestone

Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4

on www.findmypast.ie which also and Library. The Church Records hosts Griffith’s Valuation, commercial NLI’s sources database collection (http:// sources.nli.ie) is a goldmine of other Catholic baptism and marriage records directories, and other material. local material. It lists 175 rentals from for Waterford are relatively good in Waterford estates including the Boyle comparison to many Irish . Newspapers Estate rentals, (from 1691); Rentals of the There are 32 Catholic parishes (7 of The classic information associated Cavendish or Devonshire Estate (from which are within Waterford ) with newspapers are notices of births, 1812); and the Woulfe/Mansfield estate and 10 of these have records starting marriages and death. However, until papers (NLI Ms. 9632). An example of a in the 18th century (including all of relatively recent times these notices rental from the latter can be seen at www. the City parishes). The earliest register are restricted to the more prominent ancestornetwork.ie/small-sources-18. (St. John’s in Waterford City) starts in members of the community. However, 1710. The factors which affected the many others are mentioned because of start date of these records are detailed appearances in court or in local incidents. Local and Family Histories in ‘Irish Church Records’ (Flyleaf Press, Local newspapers also publish lists of Awareness of local history and culture 2001). The registers persons attending meetings, signing is helpful in revealing useful sources of are available online and free to access on petitions, or making donations to local information. There are a range of local the National Library of website causes. They also contain advertisements histories of Waterford towns, parishes http://registers.nli.ie/. In addition, for local businesses. The earliest and associations which provide such an index to these registers is available Waterford papers are Ramsey’s Waterford background information. One major on the pay-for sites www.ancestry. Chronicle (1771-1910); and the Waterford source is the Decies journal, published by com, www.findmypast.ie and www. Herald (1789-96). The Waterford Chronicle Waterford Historical and Archaeological rootsireland.ie. In the is being digitised and indexed by Society www.waterford-history.org since there are 22 parishes with records, and Waterford County Library (see www. the 1950s. Histories of local families have several are particularly early, including waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/ also been published and are particularly Lismore whose records start in 1693, and library). Original copies of these and valuable documents for research as Waterford Holy Trinity (1655). These other papers are available in NLI, the many contain personal recollections and records can be searched, for a fee, on-line British Library and other archives. Note knowledge of families. These are usually through www.RootsIreland.ie while the also, that newspapers in surrounding published in local or national journals, originals are variously in the Library of counties may also be consulted for as short-run books or pamphlets (for the Representative Church Body (RCB) early notices, and Waterford events are circulation to family members), or as in , in the National Archives of also reported in regional and national manuscript copies donated to libraries. Ireland, or at their church of origin in newspapers such as the Irish Times Sources for Family and Local history, Waterford. A full list of availability (1859 - current); Finn’s Journal published by Flyleaf Press, contains an of these records can be down-loaded (1771) and The Freeman’s Journal (from extensive list of such sources. from the RCB library website at http:// 1763). Both of the latter are indexed bit.ly/2dKq4Ku. There are also records on the commercial website www. Waterford County Library has a good for the Presbyterian and Quaker irishnewsarchive.com. collection of local history sources, denominations. including Workhouse Board of Guardians records, Grand Jury Records, Census Substitutes Gravestone Inscriptions Town Council papers, Estate papers Gravestone inscriptions from the county Although there are no Government and some collections of private papers. have also been transcribed and indexed census records until 1901, there are local Other material of Waterford relevance is by different groups. These are available records which provide evidence of an in many archives worldwide. in local and national journals and ancestor. These include lists of voters, books. Waterford County Library has A local genealogy service is also available freeholders, petitioners, taxpayers, a collection of burial and funeral books, in Waterford in association with the Irish persons charged with crimes and others see http://bit.ly/2e56dcd. Family History Foundation (IFHF), the compiled for a wide variety of reasons. all-Ireland network of genealogy centres Some will provide a specific address that runs www.rootsireland.ie. It is and other useful details as to their Commercial Directories available through Waterford Heritage, circumstances or occupation. Examples, During the 18th century local directories based in the Genealogy Centre, Jenkins to demonstrate the diversity of sources, of major towns were published by Lane, Waterford. The genealogist, include the 1641 Books of Survey and private companies. These contain listings Michael O’Connor, can be contacted Distribution (NLI Ms 971); a 1663 list of tradesmen, professionals, public by email at:- [email protected]. Image opposite of the inhabitants of Waterford City (J. officials, and sometimes local gentry. page:- , Co. Waterford. Arch & Hist. Soc. Vol. 51; a list of There is no specific local directory for persons who suffered losses in the 1798 Waterford until 1839 when Harvey’s Rebellion (NLI Ms 94107); a 1792 list Directory of Waterford was first published. of the ‘Leading Catholics’ of Waterford It also contains a house-by-house street (Irish Ancestor 8(2)); and lists of voters directory. It was published again in 1866 for 1807 (Irish Ancestor 8(11)); 1835 (NAI and 1869 as Harvey’s Waterford Almanac 1842/18), 1839 (Irish Genealogist 8(2)); and Directory. However, information and 1843 (NAI 1843/65). on major Waterford towns is included There are also record sources which cover in a series of national directories (Pigotts a long period of time. An interesting 1824, Thom’s 1844, Slaters 1846 etc) and example is the records of local courts these can be accessed on several websites or Petty Sessions (1851-1910). They are and in libraries. available for several Waterford courts and are rich resources as they provide names Estate Papers of accused, witnesses, injured parties and Waterford has a good collection of estate usually state occupations. The originals papers and rentals, many of which are in Available from are in the National Archives (NAI) but public archives, particularly the National www.flyleaf.ie they are available in a searchable format Library of Ireland http://sources.nli.ie 11 Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4

12 Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4 The editor’s books selection for this quarter are:-

Figures in Ireland, the Paisanos: the a Famine Autobiography: forgotten Irish Landscape. one hundred years who changed Ciarán Ó in the life of the the face of Latin Murchadha. nation, told by America. Tim Bloomsbury its people. John Fanning. Gill Academic; Bowman (ed.). Books; 304pp; 239pp; £21.99 Penguin Ireland; €24.99/£21.99 pb; 23cm; 978-1- 496pp; €25/£20/ hb; 23cm; 978- 4725-1155-3. This CAN$42.95 pb; 0-71717181-1. is an in-depth 23cm; 978-1- It seems that in study of the 84488158-1. This is Latin America in an autobiography the role played an area of County Clare, focusing in the sense that history is told through by the Irish is not forgotten, but on the role of particular individuals the writings and utterances of Irish Irish readers need reminding of such as clergymen, landlords and people from 1916 to the present. these revolutionaries, statesmen and newspapermen. Bowman provides notes to the texts. pioneers who shaped nations.

Sir Grave Matters: Shelter and and death and dying Shadows: an House in Time in Dublin, 1500 to awakening to our of War and the present. Lisa common identity. Revolution. Marie Griffith Raymond M. Glascott J.R.M. and Ciarán Keogh. ‘Our Symes. Four Wallace (eds). Own Identity’; Courts Press; Four Courts Press; 183pp; €11 pb; 66pp; €9.95 pb; 252pp + 16pp 22cm; 978-0- 21cm; 978-184682- of illustrations; 99356520-5. 613-9. Part of the €24.95 pb; 23cm; Analyses how we Maynooth Studies 978-1-84682- live between two in Local History, 6016. Articles this looks at the on pandemic conflicting Irish fortunes of a estate diseases, army deaths, capital penalty, traditions, and how coming to terms and its owners in the revolutionary funeral practices, attitudes to death and with cultural incompatibility ‘awakens IRISHperiod. ROOTS ADVERT.qxp_Layout 1 09/11/2016sources 14:10 Page for research.1 a revolutionary view of our common humanity’.

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13 Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4 Society Notes

PORTLAW HERITAGE CENTRE IRISH GENEALOGICAL CORK HISTORICAL & RESEARCH SOCIETY (IGRS) ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The village of is located ten miles The eightieth anniversary of the Founded in 1891, the Cork Historical from Waterford City in the beautiful founding of the IGRS was celebrated and Archaeological Society is one of the south-east of Ireland. Portlaw’s heritage with a reception at the College of Arms oldest local interest societies in Ireland is a different heritage to most villages in London on the evening of Friday, 23 and is one hundred and twenty-five in Ireland. It is an industrial heritage as September. This prestigious location was years old in 2016. the factory complex built in 1825 by the chosen because the inaugural meeting CHAS has published a CHAS journal Malcomson’s has provided a backdrop of the Society had been held at the every year since its foundation as well as to the village, firstly as a Cotton Mill in College on the 15 September 1936 in the a full index of the journal. It is a valuable the 19th century and as a Tannery in the rooms of the then York Herald, Aubrey source of information. 20th century. J. Toppin. On this occasion we were The Society also runs a series of events the guests of the current York Herald, The importance of Portlaw in the including winter lectures and summer Peter O’Donoghue, who was joined industrial is significant outings. There are also once-off events by his colleagues, Patric Dickinson, both locally and internationally. The such as conferences, the Annual Weekend Clarenceux King of Arms, and Timothy Heritage Centre helps you discover away and the Christmas Lunch. how rich our heritage is covering Duke, Norroy and King of Arms. early monastic settlements, Norman Among the sixty or so guests was The Winter lectures are usually held at fortifications, the large demesne at the Irish Ambassador, Dan Mulhall, 8pm on Wednesdays in the Crawford Art and an industrial past. President of the Huguenot Society of Gallery, Emmett Place, Cork. Occasionally Great Britain & Ireland, Brian de Save, lectures are held in other towns and Following the closure of the Cotton Mill Head of the London FamilySearch locations. The Winter Lecture Series will in 1876 the population of Portlaw had Centre, Sharon Hintze, and Else run from October 2016 to April 2017. fallen by 75% by the 1901 Census. Over Churchill, resident genealogist at the this period almost 3,500 people left the The subjects of the lectures and outing Society of Genealogists. Other guests village to follow work in England and are wide-ranging covering all aspects well known within Irish genealogy and further afield. of matters historical and archaeological archives included Maurice Gleeson, Jill in Cork city and county. The speakers The 20th century industrial story Williams, Anthony Camp and Aideen and outing leaders are highly qualified of Portlaw begins in the 1930s as the Ireland. Speeches were given by Roz and experienced professionals including Free State government established McCutcheon, an IGRS vice-president, many authors and academics. The study protectionist policies aimed at protecting (who read an address written by another and record of history and archaeology existing domestic employment and vice-president, Mary Casteleyn) and by of Cork is fully served by the voluntary promoting employment initiatives. Steven Smyrl, IGRS chairman. efforts of CHAS members. The Society This led to the establishment of Irish In August a further tranche of years is supported by Cork and Tanners in the old cotton mill site in the of the Society’s annual journal, The University College Cork. early 1930s. Along with many other Irish Genealogist, was launched on industries the tannery suffered from the The Society does not have facilities to the Society’s website. This time it was recession of the 1980s and closed its gates answer research queries. There are other volume 11, covering years 2002-2005, finally in 1985 after a long and painful bodies in Cork better equipped to help linking scanned images of all articles process of rationalisation and layoffs. in that regard. The Society has a Council to the relevant index entries. At the The objective of the Centre has been to consisting of twenty members. end of August record numbers enjoyed establish an archive of the industrial, The current President of the Society is Dr the Society’s Annual Summer Outing, social and cultural history of Portlaw. Clare O’Halloran of UCC. which this year visited Castletown For further details see www.facebook. House, Co. , Ballinamuck Information about what’s on and when com/pages/Portlaw-Heritage- Heritage Centre, Co. Longford, and is on the website http://corkhist.ie Centre/117058221638852 Tullynally Castle, Co. Westmeath. Ger Crotty Later, in October the Society’s Early Research all over Ireland Portlaw Heritage Centre Irish Birth Index was updated, doubling specialising in in size to just over 20,000 entries drawn TELL US ABOUT YOUR SOCIETY from lesser known and underused CORK CITY & COUNTY sources. Keep readers up to date with On Sunday, 4 December, evensong at Rosaleen Underwood MAGI. what’s happening in your St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, will be Experienced genealogist with Genealogy, History Society or dedicated as a Service of Thanksgiving local knowledge. Family Gathering. for the lives of past members and Email:- officers of the Society, including our Email us by JANUARY 30th to:- [email protected] [email protected]. former president, Sir David Goodall, who died on the 22 July aged 84. By post: 15 Whitechurch (please limit to 250 words where Website: www.IrishAncestors.ie Drive, Ballyboden, Dublin 16, possible) Facebook: http://goo.gl/mOifSC Ireland. 14 Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4 Society Notes

Thank you to everyone who spoke with NORTH us or became members at the Back To Our WATERFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Past Show in Dublin in October where, in ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY North Wexford Historical Society a first for us, we had a speaking slot at was formed in 2011 to cater for the the DNA talks. Overall we had a busy Founded in the mid 1950s the Waterford historical interests of the people of and enjoyable time, with our county Archaeological and Historical Society is and its hinterland. They hold research booklets proving particularly dedicated to recording and disseminating a series of lectures over the winter popular. We are now preparing to attend the history, heritage and folklore of the months and in the summer months “Who Do You Think You Are? Live” in county and city of Waterford. The society take trips of a historical nature. There Birmingham in April. organises a series of winter lectures is a sub-committee which is involved Congratulations to Irish Roots on from September to May and during the in transcribing and photographing reaching this milestone and best wishes summer months visits are organised headstones in the north Wexford area. To for the next 100 editions! Thank you for to sites of historical and archaeological date 18 graveyards have been completed all your support. importance in the region. There is also an annual coach trip organised during and are fully searchable online at:-www. www.nifhs.org northwexfordhistoricalsociety.com the summer. Decies the annual journal www.facebook.com/nifhs of the society was founded in 1976 and is The total number of headstones www.twitter.com/nifhs published annually. transcribed currently stands at 2670. For the headstone enthusiast the site is also The annual subscription is €25. This searchable by stone sculptor. SEND US YOUR NOTES FOR fee entitles the member to admission to THE NEXT ISSUE BY JANUARY the lectures, outings and a copy of the www.northwexfordhistoricalsociety.com 30TH. ALL SOCIETIES, CLAN annual journal. GATHERINGS AND GENEALOGY For further information please visit:- COMMUNITIES WELCOME NORTH OF IRELAND FAMILY www.waterford-history.org or HISTORY SOCIETY [email protected] www.facebook.com/waterfordhistory Over the years, the Society has built up a sizeable collection of resources. Members around the world continue to work on transcription projects which are then made available via our library, Tracing Your.... website or email look-up service. One resource to investigate is Ancestor Charts, a free list of 3,000 surnames being researched - can we put you in touch with a cousin? Look under Miscellaneous Records on our website.

A successful season of genealogy workshops was held at our Library this autumn and we are now preparing our spring programme. Please email our Education Officer if you have suggestions for venues or topics: [email protected] Family History Researcher Our eleven branches are now well into their 2016/17 season of talks, visits and All Areas of Ireland Covered workshops. Visitors and new members are very welcome so please check out Record Retrieval and Consultation Service the calendar or branch pages on our website and call in to your local meeting. Free Assessment

Save the date! Causeway Coast & Glens Branch are organising a family Have your family history presented in a history conference in September 2017. durable book that will last a lifetime It is aimed at descendants from the area and an early bird discount is available. Please see the dedicated website for To view the complete details of the talks, tours, research Web: www.ehgenealogy.com series of titles now assistance and social events that are Email: [email protected] available visit:- included: www.returntothecauseway. Tel: +353 (0)86 1070834 org.uk www.flyleaf.ie

15 Irish Roots 2016 Issue 4

WAYS TO TRACE YOUR IRISH ANCESTORS

Need some inspiration with your family history research? Nicola Morris has 100 ideas to help you!

it became compulsory to register all births, marriages and deaths. However, it is estimated that up to 15% of births and marriages went unregistered in the 19th century. 1. Brew a pot of tea and get older relatives talking about Birth registrations should state the name, date and family history. 10. place of birth, the name, address and occupation of the father and the maiden name of the mother.

2. Make a record of the conversations. Details can be 11. Original birth registrations are now freely available quickly forgotten. online at www.irishgenealogy.ie from 1864 to 1916.

3. Sketch out a family tree. It is easier to see where you 12. Non Catholic marriages in Ireland were registered need to focus your research when you can see your family tree with the civil authorities from 1845. All denominations were in its entirety. registered from 1864.

4. Make copies of old family letters and photographs, but 13. Civil marriage registrations are freely available at try to leave the originals in place. Many families have fallen www.irishgenealogy.ie from 1882-1940. out over the ‘disappearance’ of an old photograph album. 14. A marriage certificate should record the names, ages 5. Label all of the images and keep your records and addresses of the bride and groom as well as the names organised. You may have to put your research aside for a and occupations of their fathers. couple of months or even years and you want to make it easy to pick it up again. Full age on a marriage registration is usually 21 years 15. and the address is only the address at the time of marriage Old memorial cards for deceased family members record 6. and not always a long standing family address. ages, dates of death and maiden names of married women.

A death certificate should state the age of the Check whether your local library has collected and 16. 7. deceased, indicating approximate year of birth, and in some digitised memorial cards from the local area. cases the informant might be a family member, such as the widow, child or parent of the deceased. Start your research with birth, marriage and death records. 8. 17. Original civil death registrations are available at www.irishgenealogy.ie from 1891 to 1965. 9. Civil registration in Ireland commenced in 1864 when 16

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