Helen Kelly Genealogy's Posts - The Wild Geese2024-03-28T16:33:38ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogyhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/68531700?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://thewildgeese.irish/profiles/blog/feed?user=3llj32g2rkyxq&xn_auth=noFind Your Roots While Visiting Irelandtag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-12-08:6442157:BlogPost:1314352014-12-08T14:27:01.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84708729?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84708729?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="375"></img></a> A</span>re you planning a trip to Ireland,</strong> and do you hope to carry out some family history research during your visit? If you happen to have an Irish born ancestor who emigrated to the United States, and are planning a visit to Ireland in the near future and hope to do some family…</p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84708729?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="375" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84708729?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="375" class="align-left"/></a>A</span>re you planning a trip to Ireland,</strong> and do you hope to carry out some family history research during your visit? If you happen to have an Irish born ancestor who emigrated to the United States, and are planning a visit to Ireland in the near future and hope to do some family history research during your visit, it is good to have some clear idea of how you should prepare, and the kind of information that you need to bring to Ireland with you in order to advance your research.</p>
<p>Family history starts with yourself. So, if you have not already commenced your family history research, it is a good idea to start the process well in advance of your visit to Ireland.</p>
<p>First of all, it is wise to write down all you know about the immigrant ancestor, his/her spouse, children and grand-children. Then arrange to talk with older family members who may have considerably more information on the Irish born ancestor than you have. Once these tasks have been completed, you should then proceed on the US paper trail.</p>
<p>U.S. Census returns are a wonderful starting point for your research. Hopefully, you will locate a number of the immigrant ancestor’s US census returns which should provide you with an idea of his/her birth year, and year of marriage. Bear in mind of course, that ages recorded on census returns, and indeed on death records are frequently found to be quite inaccurate. In general, when such discrepancies arise, ages are usually under-stated, rather than over-stated.</p>
<p>If your immigrant ancestor married in the United States, it is advisable to seek the civil/vital record of marriage of the immigrant, as this record should provide you with the names of the parents of the immigrant. Naturalisation papers can also very useful, as they often record the Irish county of birth of an immigrant. Gravestone inscriptions, and obituary notices are also very useful, as they can provide further useful information.</p>
<p>Far too many people arrive in Ireland with very basic information on their Irish born ancestor, and expect that some archivist or genealogist in Ireland will be able to confirm the names of the parents of that ancestor by pressing a magic button ! Unfortunately the process doesn’t quite work like that ! This is why it is necessary to carry out good research within genealogical sources in your own country – well in advance of your proposed trip to Ireland.</p>
<p>Hopefully, your preparatory US research will provide you with good basic information on your Irish born ancestor such as:</p>
<p>The name of the Irish born ancestor <br/> Approximate year of birth<br/> Place of birth in Ireland<br/> Names of Parents of immigrant <br/> Occupation of ancestor<br/> Date of immigration.</p>
<p>If you ancestor was born in one of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland, your research should commence in Dublin city. If your ancestor was born in one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, you can carry out some research on that ancestor in Dublin. However, it is also important to factor in some research time at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast.</p>
<p>In Dublin city there are a number of repositories where one can carry out family history research. Microfilm copies of Roman Catholic parish registers of baptism, marriage (and some burials) for most parishes throughout the island of Ireland are held at the National Library of Ireland, from their respective commencement dates – up to about 1880. There are also a great deal of newspapers available for research at the National Library of Ireland.</p>
<p>Uncertified copies of births, deaths and Roman Catholic marriages certificates from 1864 to 1921, and uncertified copies of non-Roman Catholic marriage certificates from 1845 for the entire island of Ireland may be obtained at the General Register Office Research Room on Werburgh Street in Dublin south inner city. Uncertified copies of birth, death and marriage from 1922 to the present time for the 26 counties of Ireland may also be obtained at this office which is situated close to Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin.</p>
<p>The National Archives of Ireland is on Bishop Street in Dublin city and is about a ten minute walk from the General Register Office Research Room. In order to obtain readers’ ticket for the National Archives, it is necessary to produce your passport or other form of photo identity, and an up-to-date utility bill. In addition to census returns, the holdings of the National Archives include testamentary material, government and business records, land records etc.</p>
<p>Genealogy advisory services are also available to readers at the National Library of Ireland, and the National Archives. The genealogy service at the National Library is available Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 4.45pm and the service at the National Archives is available from Monday to Friday, from 10.00–13.30 and is located on Floor 5 of the National Archives, adjacent to the R<a href="http://www.nationalarchives.ie/services/service-for-our-visitors/the-reading-room/" target="_blank">eading Room</a>. The Valuation Office at the Irish Life Centre on Lower Abbey Street is also an interesting repository to visit, as it houses property valuation records for the 26 counties, from the 1850s to the late 1970s.</p>
<p>As one of the ultimate aims of carrying out research for your Irish born ancestor is to identify the precise location where he/she was born, it is important to factor in a visit to the ancestral home-place during your time in Ireland. Even if there is no possibility of meeting up with living relatives, such a visit will enable you to imbibe the culture and landscape of that special place that cradled your Irish born ancestor, and thus help you reach a deeper understanding of, and appreciation of your own Irish heritage.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry?xg_source=activity" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706625?profile=original" class="align-center" width="171"/></a><strong><em>Visit our "Irish Ancestry" Members Group</em></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/forum/topics/brick-walls-let-s-hear-em" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>Westmeath Emigrants to Argentinatag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-10-21:6442157:BlogPost:1241092014-10-21T09:30:00.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707999?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707999?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A game of hurling in Mercedes, Argentina (1917)</span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">A</span> frequently asked…</strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;" class="font-size-7"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707999?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707999?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A game of hurling in Mercedes, Argentina (1917)</span></em></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;" class="font-size-7">A</span> frequently asked question</strong> on the subject of the Irish settlement in Argentina, is how and why did this settlement take place? There is no easy answer to this question. Like all emigration patterns, there are always a myriad number of reasons why particular groups decided to leave their home country and insert themselves into the landscape of a new country. From an early period, the Irish went to South America as missionaries, while others went there as sea-farers, adventurers and soldiers.</p>
<p>In the early 1800s, Irish settlers in Argentina included merchant sea man William Browne from Foxford in County Mayo, who is credited with founding the Argentine navy. Another man, John Thomond O’Brien who was born in Baltinglass, County Wicklow in the 1780s arrived in Buenos Aires about 1812 and joined a regiment under the Argentine born San Martin – one of the great liberators of Spanish South America. O’Brien proved to be a valiant solider, and in a few short years rose to the rank of Captain and eventually became Aide-de-Camp to General San Martin.</p>
<p>Following Argentine’s declaration of Independence in July 1816, O’Brien continued to be an influential figure in Argentine affairs. In the early 1820s he came to Ireland at the behest of the Argentine government to attract immigrants from Ireland to the Pampas of Argentina, but failed in this task. About 1827 he was given a similar task by the Argentine President Rivadavia who asked O’Brien to recruit 200 Irish sheep herders for the Pampas.</p>
<p>About this time, O’Brien made the acquaintance of two men from Streamstown in County Westmeath, namely, Patrick Bookey and his brother-in-law John Mooney who were attracted to Argentina and the beef industry, following a free trade treaty signed with Britain in 1824. These men subsequently became involved in farming and following O’Brien’s influence, during a return visit to Ireland in the late 1820s, spear- headed the exodus from County Westmeath to the Pampas of Argentina. The news that Argentina was a land of opportunity obviously spread very quickly among the citizens of Streamstown and all the surrounding townlands and parishes – an exodus which eventually extended in triangular fashion from the town of Mullingar to Ballymahon and Newtowncashel in County Longford, northwards to Longford town and environs, to Edgeworthstown (Mostrim) and southwards to parts of King’s County (Offaly).</p>
<p>It is difficult to quantify the precise number of Westmeath emigrants to Argentina, mainly due to the fact that emigrants departed from a number of ports, including Liverpool. Some sources say that about 30,000 people emigrated to Argentina between 1830 and 1870. Of these, it is believed that about 16% were from County Wexford, and about 60% were from Westmeath, Longford and part of Offaly, the majority of the foregoing, being from County Westmeath.</p>
<p>According to Edmundo Murray an Argentine researcher based in Geneva and an ardent student of the patterns of Irish emigration to Latin America – most of these early emigrants were single farmers in their twenties. They were the non-inheriting children of Catholic middle sized tenant farmers. The choices of these men – had they remained in Ireland were limited. They could have joined the church – or gone into the British army. It is easy to see how they were hugely attracted to the rolling farmlands of the Pampas of Argentina – to make their fortunes.</p>
<p>Many of the new emigrants worked as farm laborers and amassed enough money to rent their own land, and eventually to purchase it. Some worked as sheep-herders, availing of a practical system known as halves whereby they formed a type of partnership with the owners. Some of the owners would share with the shepherds, half of the income from the sale of wool while others would share half of the lambs born each season.</p>
<p>Offaly-born William Bulfin – one time editor of the Irish/Argentine newspaper the <em>Southern Cross</em> - in his book entitled Rambles in Eirinn gives an amusing account of his encounter in the early 1900s with some young girls in the turf belt in the heart of Westmeath (somewhere between Moate and Moyvoughley) while enjoying a cycling tour of Ireland. Bulfin’s account graphically underlines the fact that the exodus from Streamstown, County Westmeath and surrounding areas was very extensive.</p>
<p>"I am going to suspend all work in this electoral division, or precinct, or department," says Bulfin to the young girls. I was told by a truthful man up the road that one could not see a soul in this part of the country who has not a relation in Argentina.</p>
<p>On learning that he had come from Buenos Aires, word quickly spread among the turf cutters, who downed tools, sent for all the others..... down from the houses and fields – from everywhere and flocked around the visitor.</p>
<p>"I stayed with them for more than two hours," says Bulfin. "A few of them remembered their Spanish and plied me with it. There were brothers and sisters of men I had met on the pampas, and nieces and nephews and even parents as well.<br/> During the past decade I have visited Argentina many times, and am always thrilled to hear the Irish descendants speak English with Westmeath, Longford or Wexford accents."</p>
<p>Like Bulfin, I have met with countless numbers of individuals in the pampas whose Westmeath cousins are known to me. Many of the Irish descendants have never lost sight of their family in Ireland, while others are thrilled to know that a little family history research on both sides of the Atlantic has the potential to re-connect them with their families in Ireland.</p>
<p>The Irish in Argentina are the largest non-English speaking members of the Irish diaspora. Unlike many of their counterparts in North America and England, most Irish/Argentines have not lost sight of the precise births counties of their immigrant ancestors. To this end, much credit is due to the late Eduardo A Coghlan, the Argentine genealogist who left a wonderful legacy to the Irish/Argentine community through his publications:</p>
<p>In reflecting on this amazing exodus from Ireland to Argentina, one realizes that emigration patterns do not vary much from one decade or century to the next. Throughout the 18th century, and indeed up to the present day, those who decide to emigrate from their home country, often emigrated with family and/or friends from home.. Certainly, throughout the 19th century and earlier, many Irish who settled in North America, emigrated with family and or friends from home and frequently joined kindred folk in America.</p>
<p>It should be stated therefore, that descendants of Irish born immigrants who are having difficulty establishing the birth county of their Irish born ancestor, would be well advised to carry out extensive research of census returns, church registers of baptism and marriage, grave-stone inscriptions etc. in the area where their ancestor first settled, in the hope that crucial information might be gleaned from a source pertaining to their ancestor, or from sources pertaining to his/her family members or friends from home.</p>
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<p><strong>Useful sources for Argentine genealogical research, and interesting publications include:</strong></p>
<p><em>Los Irlandeses en la Argentina</em> (magazine detailing family histories of Irish-Argentines)</p>
<p>Elaporte de los Irlandeses a la Formacion de la Nacion Argentina (includes passengers lists and various census returns of Irish/Argentine families)</p>
<p>Outstanding work has also been carried out by members of various groups, including the <a href="http://www.Irlandeses.org" target="_blank">Society for Irish Latin American Studies (SILAS)</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Other useful websites and publications include:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.IrishGenealogy.com.ar/" target="_blank">www.IrishGenealogy.com.ar/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.Irlandeses.org/Passenger.htm" target="_blank">www.Irlandeses.org/Passenger.htm</a></p>
<p>"Becoming Irlandés – Private Narratives of the Irish Emigration to Argentina (1844 - 1912)," by Edmundo Murray - L.O.L.A. Literature of Latin America - 2006</p>
<p>"Gaeil I dTír Na nGauchos," by Mícheál De Barra, Coiscéim - Tig Bhríde, 91 Bothar Bhinn Éadair, B.A.C. - 2009</p>
<p>"General O’Brien – West Wicklow to South America," by West Wicklow Historical Society - Published by Chris Lawlor - 2006</p>
<p>"Rambles in Eirinn," by William Bulfin - 1907</p>
<p></p>
<p>In addition to the foregoing publications, microfilm copies of the Irish-Argentine newspaper <em>The Southern Cross</em> are available for research in the local studies section of Mullingar Library, County Buildings, Mount Street, Mullingar, and at the National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry?xg_source=activity" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706625?profile=original" class="align-center" width="171"/></a><strong><em>Visit our "Irish Ancestry" Members Group</em></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="125" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=RESIZE_180x180" class="align-left" width="125"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/forum/topics/brick-walls-let-s-hear-em" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>Researching Your Irish Family History: Census Search Formstag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-09-05:6442157:BlogPost:1162742014-09-05T13:00:00.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707620?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707620?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> T</span>hose of us who are involved in long term genealogical research</strong> note that ages recorded on census returns and, indeed, on death records are frequently found to be quite inaccurate. There may be many reasons for such inaccuracies, not least because some individuals may not have known…</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;" class="font-size-7"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707620?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84707620?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a>T</span>hose of us who are involved in long term genealogical research</strong> note that ages recorded on census returns and, indeed, on death records are frequently found to be quite inaccurate. There may be many reasons for such inaccuracies, not least because some individuals may not have known their true age, particularly if they were born prior to civil/vital recording of births. Some of our Irish ancestors who were born before 1864 in Ireland, may not have been able to locate their baptism record. Perhaps the relevant church register was destroyed, or maybe their record of baptism was inadvertently omitted from the parish register.</p>
<p>The only complete census returns available for research in Ireland are those of 1901 and 1911. It is indeed interesting, and sometime rather amusing to note the age discrepancies that arise between these two census returns. In particular, such discrepancies arise in relation to older family members. Sometimes one will note that the Head of Family aged considerably between March 1901 and April 1911. One such example was recently noted in relation to a County Tipperary man who aged 28 years between those two dates! The real reason for this discrepancy may never be known. However, it is worth noting that a pension act was introduced in Ireland in 1908.</p>
<p>The Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 resulted in the availability of a non-contributory means-tested pension of five shillings per week for individuals who could prove that they were at least 70 years old and who were of good character. The claimants also had to satisfy the pension authorities that for at least 20 years, they had been a British subject, and their yearly means calculated under this Act do not exceed thirty-one pounds ten shillings.</p>
<p>If the claimant could not produce evidence of age by means of a certificate of baptism, they were allowed to request an extract from the 1841 or 1851 census return. To this end, the claimant filled out a search form, supplying parents’ names and their address at the time of the 1841 or 1851 census return. The claimant also stated the age he or she believed themselves to have been.</p>
<p>The search forms were then forwarded to the Public Record Office where relevant searches were carried out to prove eligibility to pension. In cases where the 1841 or 1851 census return could not be found, the form was returned with ‘not found’ or ‘no trace’ written on it.</p>
<p>Census search forms have survived and are available for research at the National Archives of Ireland. Recently, they have also become available for research on the <a href="http://censussearchforms.nationalarchives.ie/search/cs/home.jsp" target="_blank">National Archives website</a>.</p>
<p>They can be searched by full name of the claimant, census year, names of claimant’s parents, claimant’s address at the time of the claim, and by townland/street, parish, barony and county where the family lived in 1841 or 1851.</p>
<p>As a professional genealogist, I am often asked to perform the impossible! One such request was made to me some years ago, whereby a researcher in the United States had failed to locate a baptism record for her Irish born ancestor, despite the fact that she had confirmed the age of the ancestor, names of the parents and county of birth, from her U.S. records. Unfortunately, the baptism records for the County Mayo parish where this woman was born post-dated the 1850s.</p>
<p>As luck would have it, one of her siblings who remained in County Mayo filled out an application for an old-age pension in 1914. His census search form was located at the National Archives of Ireland, and it recorded the names of his parents which were an exact match for the names of the parents recorded on his sister’s U.S. marriage record. Additionally, it provided the name of the townland where the family lived in 1841.</p>
<p>The arrival of these Census search forms on the web-site of the National Archives of Ireland is to be celebrated, as they may offer some further hope to members of the Irish diaspora who have failed to locate a baptism record for their Irish born immigrant ancestor.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="125" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=RESIZE_180x180" class="align-left" width="125"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>Census Substitutes in Irish Genealogical Researchtag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-08-06:6442157:BlogPost:1110262014-08-06T09:30:00.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706756?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706756?profile=original" width="750"></img></a> T</span>he scarcity of 19th century census returns</strong> for Ireland means that we genealogists place a huge emphasis on census substitutes. What is a census substitute ? My colleague, John Grenham explains it very well when he states, "Almost any document which records more than a single name can…</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;" class="font-size-7"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706756?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706756?profile=original" width="750"/></a>T</span>he scarcity of 19th century census returns</strong> for Ireland means that we genealogists place a huge emphasis on census substitutes. What is a census substitute ? My colleague, John Grenham explains it very well when he states, "Almost any document which records more than a single name can be called a census substitute, at least for genealogical purposes!"</p>
<p>So, next question you might ask is, "Where would I get a census substitute?" Sometimes, we need look no further than our house for such a document. Most of us hoard old family documents, letters, newspaper cutting etc. Over a lifetime, such material can take up a considerable amount of space in our attics, closets and boxes in the spare rooms. Even if we personally don’t have the hoarding instinct, we can be certain that a family member had that talent, and may have left us a hidden legacy in the attic or a hidden treasure box in the basement or cellar.</p>
<p>But of course if we get into imaginative mode, as distinct from creative mode, when we start our journey, we can tap into the makings of vast numbers of census substitutes from the recesses of our minds – nuggets of gold that have lain in our subconscious for decades!</p>
<p>The first step we should all take as we journey into the family history research trail, is to sit down and create some census substitutes from the vast amount of information that we know about ourselves, our parents, siblings and grandparents. In a very short time, you will be delighted to see that you can easily write down dates of birth of family members and dates of significant events in your life, such as your wedding day or the wedding of a close relative. You can then extend the process to siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and other close relatives.</p>
<p>Similarly, you may recall when a very dear relative passed away. Usually, such events are etched in memory along with some other event that happened at the same time. For example, some of us may have lost a parent or grandparent within months or a year of the birth of our first child. Perhaps a dear grandparent passed away just before our graduation from high-school</p>
<p>In relation to our immigrant ancestors, we may unearth some precious old letters that have been stored in grandma’s treasure box for years. That box may have lain unopened since she passed away, and is more than ready to be reopened in order to reveal its treasures. Old dog-eared letters that were written fifty or a hundred years ago by a relative in Ireland bearing all the news from home may lie there.</p>
<p>In recent years, I received a copy of one such letter written in the 1930s by a cousin of my grandfather. The writer had emigrated from the Midlands of Ireland in the 1880s, and had carried a great deal of genealogical information in her head. Towards the end of her life, when urged by her U.S.-born daughter to commit the family history to paper, she penned a number of pages, with names and dates of birth of her immediate family members and then moved on to wider family members, including my grandfather.</p>
<p>With so much information now available for research on the internet, I was then able to verify the accuracy of much of the information that she had written about. However, when it came to wider family members, accuracy was slightly skewed. She was very correct in stating that my grandfather had two children, a boy and a girl. However, when she further stated that they had both entered religious life, I had to draw a deep breath, because in doing so, she had wiped his grandchildren (including myself) and all of his 100 descendants entirely out of history!</p>
<p>The moral of the story is of course, that we should always endeavour to verify the accuracy of information written down from memory, or imparted orally to us, while bearing in mind that every snippet of information has more than a grain of truth ... but sometimes includes embellishment. It’s not that anybody has tried to mislead us. We should just remind ourselves that memories sometimes fade!</p>
<p>Inevitably, our family history research takes us on the paper trail in the public arena. There are a wealth of census substitutes available to us on the internet, in our National Archives, and in national and local libraries. We should also stretch the boundaries of our research, and follow, not just the history of our own immediate family members, but extend the research to members of the wider ethnic communities that they belonged to. After all, we are not just the products of our immediate families, but also members of the wider community where we lived. Remember also, that our immigrant ancestor may not have arrived in his/her new country alone, but may have immigrated with family and friends from home, or to family members and friends from home. So, if we cannot get the information we are seeking on our own immigrant ancestors, others who settled along with them in their new country may provide documents recording their precise Irish place of birth.</p>
<p>Many Irish family history websites now include a great range of census substitutes. For example, the National Archives of Ireland website (<a href="http://www.NationalArchives.ie" target="_blank">www.NationalArchives.ie</a>) now includes:</p>
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<p><strong>* Calendars of Wills and Administration</strong> from 1858 to 1920</p>
<p><strong>* Tithe Applotment books</strong> (1823 – 1837) for the 26 counties</p>
<p><strong>* Census search forms</strong> from the 1841 and 1851 census (see the website for details)</p>
<p><strong>* Soldiers' Wills</strong> (1914 – 1918)</p>
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<p>You can also search for fragments of 19th century census returns in addition to the 1901 and 1911 census returns on <a href="http://www.Census.NationalArchives.ie" target="_blank">www.Census.NationalArchives.ie</a>.</p>
<p>One of the most wonderful Irish census substitutes is <a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/profiles/blogs/griffith-s-primary-valuation-of-tenements" target="_self">Griffith’s Primary Valuation of Tenements</a> which records tenants (occupiers) as well as Immediate Lessors of Property. If you ancestor emigrated from Ireland during famine times, his or her father or a sibling may be documented as a tenant in Griffith’s Valuation. This source which was published for the entire island of Ireland between 1847 and 1864 (at a different date for each location) is available for research (free-of-charge) on <a href="http://www.AskAboutIreland.ie" target="_blank">www.AskAboutIreland.ie</a>.</p>
<p>The website of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast (<a href="http://www.proni.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.proni.gov.uk</a>) also includes a large number of interesting census substitutes including:</p>
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<p><strong>* Will Calendars</strong> from 1858 for Belfast, Armagh and Londonderry. Valuation Revision books for Northern Ireland, which document changes of occupancy of holdings that were recorded in the land/property record known as Griffith’s <em>Primary Valuation of Tenements</em> of the mid-19th century</p>
<p><strong>* Freeholders Records</strong></p>
<p><strong>* Ulster Covenant</strong> - the archive of the Ulster Unionist Council, held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). This source contains just under half a million original signatures and addresses of the men who, on 28 September 1912, signed the Ulster Covenant, and of the women who signed the parallel Declaration.</p>
<p><strong>* Street Directories</strong> for Belfast</p>
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<p>The website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also holds some extracts from birth and baptisms records for Ireland on their website <a href="http://www.FamilySearch.org" target="_blank">www.FamilySearch.org</a>. The website <a href="http://www.Ancestry.com" target="_blank">www.Ancestry.com</a> also holds similar extracts.</p>
<p>So, in an effort to overcome the many challenges that Irish family history research poses, it is good to extend the boundaries of your research, and take note of the wonderful collection of census substitutes that are available to us in the most unlikely places.</p>
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<p><img width="125" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=RESIZE_180x180" class="align-left" width="125"/></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>Using Irish Census Returns in Genealogical Researchtag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-07-03:6442157:BlogPost:1039692014-07-03T14:00:00.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706520?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706520?profile=original" width="750"></img></a> I</span>t is a source of great pain and frustration</strong> to genealogists that most 19th Irish census returns have been destroyed. The destruction is generally blamed on the fire at the Public Records Office in 1922 during the Irish Civil War. While the 1922 fire did consume a great deal of 19th…</p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706520?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706520?profile=original" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>I</span>t is a source of great pain and frustration</strong> to genealogists that most 19th Irish census returns have been destroyed. The destruction is generally blamed on the fire at the Public Records Office in 1922 during the Irish Civil War. While the 1922 fire did consume a great deal of 19th century census returns, many of the 19th census returns were already destroyed prior to 1922. For this reason, those of us who are constantly researching Irish family history place a great deal of emphasis and hope in census substitutes.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The only complete Irish census returns that are currently available for research are those of 1901 and 1911. These are usually a</span> <span>switch-off</span> <span>for members of the Irish diaspora whose ancestors left Ireland in the early to mid 1800s. However, there is absolutely no need to</span> <span>switch-off</span> <span>if you fall into that category. Just because one of</span> <span>your Irish ancestors left Ireland in that period doesn’t mean close family members of</span> <span>that ancestor did not remain in Ireland.</span></p>
<p><span>One of the most useful Irish census substitutes is the wonderful land and property</span> <span>record known as <a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/profiles/blogs/griffith-s-primary-valuation-of-tenements" target="_self">Griffith’s Valuation</a></span><span> </span><span>which was published for the entire island of</span> <span>Ireland between 1847 and 1864, and at a different date for each location. Griffith’s</span> <span>includes occupiers or tenants, as well as owners of property, and therefore is a most useful aid in determining where your ancestor may have been born. It is possible to</span> <span>access Griffith’s</span> <span>Valuation</span> <span>on <a href="http://www.AskAboutIreland.com" target="_blank">www.AskAboutIreland.com</a></span><span> for free. Once you have identified your ancestral homeland from</span> <span>Griffith’s, it can then be useful to</span> <span>view the 1901 and 1911 census returns to check and see if family members still lived in the area in those years.</span></p>
<p><span>The 1901 and 1911 census returns are now available free-of-charge on the web-site of the National Archives of Ireland</span> <span>– <a href="http://www.Census.NationalArchives.ie" target="_blank">www.Census.NationalArchives.ie</a></span><span>.</span></p>
<p><span>So, what kind of information can one get from the 1901 and 1911 census returns?</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706594?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706594?profile=original" width="749" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<p>Both census returns provide the name and age of the <em>Head of Family</em>, the name and age of the spouse, and names and ages of their children. Any other individuals who are present in the household on the night of the census are also recorded in the family return. Additional information includes, religious profession, education, rank, profession or occupation, marital status, county of birth, and whether or not each individual speaks Irish (Gaelic) in addition to English.</p>
<p><span>The 1911 census return has three additional useful columns which asks the married woman how long the present marriage has lasted, how many children were born alive, and how many were still living.</span></p>
<p><span>The marriage question on the 1911 census return is particularly useful, as it leads one to search for the civil or church record of marriage for the couple. Civil records of marriage in that period provide names of fathers of bride and groom, and their respective occupations. In turn, this information may then encourage members of the </span>Irish diaspora to continue the paper trail for the family documented in the 1911 census return and thus perhaps make the connection with their own immigrant ancestor. </p>
<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The 1901 and 1911 census returns are arranged by county and are available for all 32 counties of the island of Ireland. They can be searched not just by surname, but also by occupation, religion, county, and country of origin etc. You can also search by place and view details of the neighbouring families, some of whom may even be related to your family. The full address of each house is recorded on the peripheral documents including the <em>H</em></span><em>ouse and Building Returns</em><span>. </span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706710?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706710?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>When searching by surname it is always useful to bear in mind that the search should </span>extend to all possible variations of spelling. For example, if your ancestor was an O’Brien, he or she may have been recorded in the census returns as Bryan, Brien, or Brian. Similarly, the surname Heany may be recorded as Heaney, Haney, Heney, etc., Kiely may be recorded as Keily, Keely, Kealy, Keiley, etc.</p>
<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>It is also important to be aware that ages recorded on census returns can often be quite inaccurate.</span></p>
<p><span>In recent days, remnants of 1821, 1831, 1841, and 1851 census returns have also been placed on <a href="http://www.Census.NationalArchives.ie" target="_blank">www.Census.NationalArchives.ie</a></span><span>. </span><span>Perhaps you may be lucky enough to locate your ancestor on one such return. Remnants of 19</span><span>th</span> <span>century census returns that have been placed on this website are as follows:</span></p>
<p><span>Remnants of 1821 census returns for 11 counties<br/> Remnants of 1831 census for Counties Antrim and Londonderry Remnants of 1841 census for 14 counties<br/> Remnants of 1851 census for 25 counties</span></p>
<p>One must be aware, of course, that these are remnants, and do not represent complete census returns for any county. Nonetheless, you might just be lucky to find a remnant of an early 19th century census return that includes the name of your ancestor who was born in Ireland. If so, your luck may even extend into the 20th century, with the discovery of the 1901 and 1911 Irish census returns detailing descendants of your ancestors’ siblings who remained in the ancestral area.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="125" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706238?profile=RESIZE_180x180" class="align-left" width="125"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/forum/topics/brick-walls-let-s-hear-em" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>
</div>Griffith's 'Primary Valuation of Tenements'tag:thewildgeese.irish,2014-06-03:6442157:BlogPost:956732014-06-03T08:30:00.000ZHelen Kelly Genealogyhttps://thewildgeese.irish/profile/HelenKellyGenealogy
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706212?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706212?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> T</span>he mention of Irish land and property records</strong> causes many people to switch off and say that their people never owned property in Ireland. Indeed, it is true to say that very few people in 18th and 19th century Ireland owned their own property!</p>
<p>However, a wonderful…</p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-7" style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706212?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706212?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a>T</span>he mention of Irish land and property records</strong> causes many people to switch off and say that their people never owned property in Ireland. Indeed, it is true to say that very few people in 18th and 19th century Ireland owned their own property!</p>
<p>However, a wonderful land/property record exists for the entire island in the form of <strong>Griffith’s "Primary Valuation of Tenements,"</strong> and it is relevant to the majority of Irish descendants. This source is the result of a major survey carried out by Richard Griffith who was Chief surveyor of Ireland from the 1820s to the 1860s. The purpose of his work was to arrive at an equitable system of taxation for everybody. We can never underestimate the legacy that this man – and his diligent team of surveyors and assistants have left to us. During his tenure of forty years in office, he carried out a number of surveys. The entire paper work for all of his surveys have not survived. However, the paper work has survived for his final survey which is known as Griffith’s Primary Valuation of tenements and which was published between 1847 and 1864 for the entire country - at a different date for each location. It is available for research on a number of websites including <a href="http://www.AskAboutIreland.ie" target="_blank">www.AskAboutIreland.ie</a> and <a href="http://www.OriginsNetwork.com" target="_blank">www.OriginsNetwork.com</a>.</p>
<p>Griffith’s Valuation is an extremely useful source for the family historian, as it contains names of those who were renting property – in addition to names of owners or immediate lessors. It is particularly useful to those whose ancestors were rural dwellers. As a result of the loss of most 19th century census returns for Ireland, Griffith’s Valuation is a most valuable census substitute. Furthermore, as it provides family historians with the most comprehensive record of surnames in mid-19th century Ireland, it can be of major value to descendants of Irish emigrants who departed in the period of the Great Famine.</p>
<p>Correctly used, it can be one of the most fruitful sources for all of us who embark on Irish family history. If incorrectly used, it can send us down all kinds of blind-alleys and cul-de-sacs.</p>
<p>So, what does Griffith’s Valuation give us? The following extract from Griffith’s provides us with a snap-shot of occupiers (tenants) and immediate lessors in part of the townland of Lynn, Civil Parish of Lynn in County Westmeath. It will be noted that the name of the Civil Parish is recorded at the top of the page. The name of the townland within the civil parish is recorded in the second column. It also provides us with the map reference number of each property, the names of occupiers (tenants), names of immediate lessors, description of the property and details of the annual valuation of each property.</p>
<p>Occupiers of property as recorded in Griffith’s Valuation are mainly married men. Women who are recorded as occupiers are predominantly widows.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706231?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/84706231?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Place Names in Ireland</strong></span></p>
<p>In order to fully appreciate the value of Griffith’s Valuation it is important to have some understanding of Irish place names and Irish territorial divisions. It is also important to bear in mind that the ultimate aim of Irish family history research ought to be the location of the Irish born ancestor’s precise place of origin.</p>
<p>The green fields of Ireland have been immortalised in song and story in romantic Ireland for centuries and there has been much debate about how many shades of green there are. Well the good news is that, apart from colour, these clusters of green fields are known as town lands. All have a distinct identity, and there over 60,000 of them in Ireland.</p>
<p>During the first half of the 19th century, an Irish scholar called John O’Donovan was employed to recommend standard English forms of townland names. These are encompassed within the Index to the townlands, towns, parishes and baronies of Ireland of 1851 – an index that is available widely in national institutions in Ireland and abroad and also available on a number of websites, including: <a href="http://www.IrishTimes.com/ancestor/placenames/" target="_blank">www.IrishTimes.com/ancestor/placenames/</a> and <a href="http://www.Irish-Place-Names.com/" target="_blank">www.Irish-Place-Names.com/</a></p>
<p>Most of us have Irish ancestors who were born in a townland of Ireland, so part of the mystery tour that we take on in our Irish ancestral research includes the identification of our particular townland.</p>
<p>The smallest geographical unit within a county is the townland. Normally, a townland can consist of a few hundred acres. This unit is still used, and is particularly relevant to rural dwellers. The next largest territorial division within a county is the civil parish, which bears the same name and boundaries as the Church of Ireland parishes. The Roman Catholic parish is usually a larger unit than the civil parish and generally, bears a different name. The barony is the largest unit within a county, and, like the civil parish, is no longer in use as a territorial division. Just to add a little further confusion to the complicated system of territorial divisions in Ireland, one should also be aware of Registration Districts that are used for civil registration purposes. The Registration Districts are based on the old Poor Law Unions that were set up in the late 1830s to deal with the increasing levels of poverty throughout the country.</p>
<p>The following extract from Griffith’s Valuation provides an insight into the occupiers of property recorded in a section of the townland of Lynn, Civil Parish of Lynn in County Westmeath about 1854. If we take an example from that, we will see that James Garry occupied a house, offices (barns/sheds) and land measuring 15 acres, 3 roods and 5 perches* at map reference number 20Aa in the townland of Lynn. James Garry also occupied a further parcel of land measuring 2 acres and 3 roods at map reference number 20B. The immediate lessor of the properties was Richard Swift. M.D. It will also be noted that James Garry was sub-letting a house and small garden to Mary Sheeran at map reference number 20 b.</p>
<p>(* 40 perches = 1 rood: 4 roods = 1 acre)<br/> <br/> The Index to townlands confirms that the townland of Lynn in County Westmeath is situated in the Civil Parish of Lynn in the Barony of Fartullagh and Poor Law Union (or Civil Registration District) of Mullingar.</p>
<p>Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary – year 1837 – is available free-of-charge on <a href="http://www.LibraryIreland.ie" target="_blank">www.LibraryIreland.ie</a> and provides useful information on the various Civil/Church of Ireland parishes in Ireland. It also provides the names of the Roman Catholic Parishes that correspond to the Civil/Anglican parishes. The following extract from Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary provides much information on the landscape of Lynn and confirms that the Roman Catholic Parish of Mullingar corresponds to the Civil /Anglican parish of Lynn in County Westmeath:</p>
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<blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-3"><strong>LYNN</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/placeindex.php" target="_blank">A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland</a>, 1837</p>
<p><strong>LYNN</strong>, a parish, in the barony of FARTULLAGH, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 1 3⁄4 mile (S. by W.) from Mullingar, on the road to Tyrrel's Pass; containing 1227 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on Lough Ennel, and bounded on the west by the river Brosna, comprises 4436 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The soil is fertile and the land chiefly in pasture; the system of agriculture is much improved, and that portion which is in tillage produces excellent crops: there is very little bog and no waste land. Limestone is quarried for agricultural purposes, and there are some quarries of black flagstone of good quality.</p>
<p>The principal seats are Larkfield, the residence of F. Pratt Smith, Esq.; Vylandstown, or Violetstown, of E. Lewis, Esq.; Lynn Lodge, of R. Swift, Esq.; Lynn House, the property of the same gentleman and the residence of the Rev. G. M. Dennis; Lynnbury. of R. Bourne, Esq.; Bloomfield, of the Countess of Belvidere; and Lamancha, also the property of R. Swift, Esq. Petty sessions are held at Moylisker. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and part of the union of Moylisker; the tithes amount to £180. The glebe comprises 20 acres of profitable land, valued at £46. 3. 1. per ann.; the glebe-house was built in 1813, at an expense of £1055. 18. 7 1⁄2. (British), of which £200 Irish was a gift, and £500 a loan, from the late Board of First Fruits; the remainder was defrayed by the incumbent.</p>
<p>In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Mullingar; the chapel is at Gainstown. At Lynnbury is a day and Sunday school, entirely supported by R. Bourne, Esq.; and about 75 children are taught in a school which is held in the chapel. At Kilronan is a large burial-ground; there are some slight remains of the old church at Lynn, and also of an ancient castle, formerly the residence of the Swift family, and there are numerous raths in the parish.</p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Valuation Revision Books</strong></span></p>
<p>Subsequent to the publication of Griffith’s Valuation surveyors returned to every property every few years, in order to up-date changes to map reference numbers, names of occupiers (tenants), immediate lessors etc. Using coloured pens, the surveyors noted all changes to holdings in a particular colour, and the date of such change was then entered in the same colour in the margin. The updated survey books are known as Valuation Revision books.</p>
<p>Those pertaining to the 26 counties date up to the late 1970s and have not yet been placed online, but are available for research at the Valuation Office, Irish Life Centre, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. 1. <a href="http://www.valoff.ie">www.valoff.ie</a> The Valuation Office is currently digitising their Revision books, which will eventually be placed on-line</p>
<p>Valuation Revision books for the six counties of Northern Ireland are available for research on the web site of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland – <a href="http://www.proni.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.proni.gov.uk</a></p>
<p>Because the Valuation Revision books document all changes of occupancy of a particular holding they are most useful to the family historian. Changes noted therein give a good indication of the date of emigration or death of the various occupiers of a property.</p>
<p>The Valuation Revision books for Lynn townland in County Westmeath would show all changes of occupancy to the holdings occupied by James Garry in the townland of Lynn about 1854, and would confirm the name of the person who occupied this property in the 1970s – thus enabling identification of the precise location of the holding occupied by James Garry in 1854.</p>
<p>In conclusion, it is important to say that very few, if any of us, can trace our Irish family history back to the middle ages. At best, we can all hope to get back to the early or mid-1800s with our Irish ancestral research.</p>
<p>Family history research includes many elements. It may commence with family stories about people and places. By its nature, it must include research of online sources and sources available to us in family history repositories. For those of us who have departed from the land of our ancestors, it must include the identification of the precise house or townland where our immigrant ancestor lived before departing to the new country. Ideally, we should then aim to visit this townland, so that we can imbibe the culture and heritage of that landscape, and hopefully, find family members.</p>
<p>Genealogy is not just about the history of a family. It is also very much about families, communities and landscapes, and their connectedness. That is why Griffith’s Valuation and the Valuation Revision Books enable us to reach a much deeper understanding of our identity, culture and heritage.</p>
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<p><a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry" target="_self">Find more help for researching your ancestry.</a></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><strong>Helen Kelly</strong> is a consultant genealogist for the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/forum/topics/brick-walls-let-s-hear-em" target="_self">Irish Ancestry Group</a> at The Wild Geese. She runs her own genealogy firm,<a href="http://www.helenkelly.com" target="_blank">Helen Kelly Genealogy</a>. Helen is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland (the accrediting body for Irish genealogists. She has been involved in genealogical research since the late 1980s. </em></span><em><span class="font-size-1">Since 2007, Helen has been genealogist-in-residence at Dublin’s historical Shelbourne Hotel, where she holds the unique title of Genealogy Butler and in that capacity has broadcast on the subject of Irish genealogy research and consultancy on international radio and television, including stations in New York, New Zealand, Australia, Dublin, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Paris.</span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em>Helen encourages the descendants of Irish emigrants to reconnect with their Irish heritage. <a href="http://thenewwildgeese.com/group/irish-ancestry/page/helen-kelly-bio" target="_self">Read more about Helen</a>.</em></span></p>
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