Overcoming your brick walls in Irish family research Lorna Moloney

A problem that is difficult to solve What is a brick wall? A problem that is difficult to solve

Lack of survival of census records The vast majority of Ireland's 19th century census records were destroyed in a fire at the Public Records Office of Ireland in 1922. Only fragments survive. So, unlike in the UK or USA, you can't keep track of your 19th century Irish ancestors every ten years in census records.

Answer – Using Census substitutes Ireland policed so records are high due to the need to secure the country High level mapping in Ireland Most policed country in the world Using land records Identifying documents of control

Civil registration challenge When compared to England and Wales, civil registration began relatively late in Ireland. Births and marriages were registered from 1864. Non- Catholic marriages were registered from 1845 with Catholic marriages also beginning in 1864. Obviously, this means there are no birth, marriage and death records for any event before those dates.

Answers to this challenge For Catholics - Use parish registers – now freely available on line Use records in UK as many emigrated because of famine and some came back to Ireland

Understanding Place & space Understanding land boundaries in Ireland and how the country is divided up administratively Baronies, townlands, parishes, counties, Poor law unions, Registration districts

Solution Background research – geography Historical sources Reference material

Clans and Surnames Understanding the nuances of your name Finding sources for your surname – entry and exit in Ireland Cross referencing and collating surnames to further your research