Historical Background

• Although nowadays the idea of a class system is anathema, during your research you need to consider your ancestor(s) status and occupation, to know what specific records to search, writes Fiona Fitzsimons.Find out more about social class.


Records - General

• Don't rely on indexes alone; always examine the original record - a digital scan or photograph will do, but never rely on an index, advises Fiona Fitzsimons. Find out more about the importance of original records.

Parish Records

• Finding that elusive baptism record...Fiona Fitzsimons discusses what to do if you can't find the baptismal record of the eldest child of a Roman Catholic family where the family is known to have lived around the time of the birth. Find out more about baptism records.

Burial Records and Gravestones

• Fiona Fitzsimons discusses the importance of burial records and gravestones to the genealogist or historian.

Land Records

• Griffith's Valuation is an essential 'gateway' source to other historic records. Fiona Fitzsimons shows how to get the most out of Griffith's Valuation.

• If you find your ancestor in Griffith’s Valuation, you will almost certainly find sufficient evidence to examine other records, such as the House and Field Books, writes Fiona Fitzsimons, Eneclann’s Director of Research.

• The Registry of Deeds was established in 1708 by Act of Parliament. The Registry of Deeds was intended to copperfasten changes in landownership in the preceding 140 years, and to underpin the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy. Eneclann's Research Director, Fiona Fitzsimons, explains the functions and uses of the Registry of Deeds.

Other Records

• Marriage Licence Bonds were more widely used by all denominations in Ireland, than is often appreciated. In the late 17th and 18th Centuries, even Quakers and Catholics of substance might choose to the marry in the Established church to protect their property and inheritance rights, writes Fiona Fitz.

• Fiona Fitzsimons explains the uses and limitations to a genealogist using the different editions of Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland.

• Eneclann's Research Director, Fiona Fitzsimons, discusses marriages in the run-up to Lent.