A census of the Irish population was taken every 10
years from 1812 until 1911. Manuscript returns for each household
survive for all 32 counties for 1901 and 1911. The returns are arranged
by townland or in urban areas, by street. The returns for each townland
or street consist of (a) Forms filled in by the head of each household giving
the names of all people in that household on census night and their age,
occupation, religion and county of birth and (b) Forms filled in by the
official taking the census, summarising the returns for that townland or
street.
No Manuscript returns survive for 1861,
1871, 1881 and 1891. There are some returns for 1821, 1831, 1841 and
1851 covering parts of counties Antrim, Cavan, Cork, Fermanagh, Galway, King's
Co. (Offaly), Derry, Meath and Waterford.
There are also census search forms for each county
giving the results of searches made in the returns of 1841 and 1851 for
pension purposes and some other copies made from returns of 1821 - 51.
Return of Householders
It is also known as the "Religious Census 1766".
The Census lists the names of the head of the households, their religion and
numbers of children. The counties for which transcripts are available
include: Cork (part of), Derry, Limerick, Louth, Tipperary and Wicklow.
The returns available vary in quality and some list only Protestant
householders. They were compiled by each Church of Ireland rector.
Census of Ireland 1659
The format includes the following : Parishes,
Townlands, Numbers of people, Tituladeoes names, it also lists the principal
Irish names in each barony and their number.
The
term "Titulado" is best explained as the principal person or persons of
standing in a particular area.
Census Substitutes
Primary Valuation (also known as Griffith's
Valuation)
This was published between 1847 and 1864. It
contains the following information. The names of occupiers of land and
buildings, the names of those from whom these lands were leased, and the
amount and value of the property held.
Tithe Applotment Books
These were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to
determine the amount which landholders should pay in tithes to the Church of
Ireland ( the Church established by the state until 1871). It gives the
name of occupiers, the amount of land held and the amount to be paid in
tithes.
Other Relevant Sources
Wills
The records of wills and administration in the National
Archives include the following:
1. Original wills and administration
papers lodged in the principal registry since 1904 and in most District
Registers since 1900.
2. Will books containing copies of most
wills proved in the District Registries since 1858 and some wills proved in the
Principal Registry in 1847, 1876, 1891 and 1896.
3. Grant books containing copies of
grants made in the Principal Registry since 1922 and in 1878, 1883, 1891 and
1893 and of most grants made in the district registries since 1858.
4. Betham's abstracts of wills proved in
the Prerogative Court before 1800, of administrations granted in the Prerogative
Court before 1802, and of wills proved in the Kildare Diocesan Court before
1827.
5. Inland Revenue registers of wills and
administrations, 1828 - 39 (indexed in separate indexes which cover the period
1828 - 79 for the years 1840 - 57 these indexes give details which do not appear
in the general indexes referred to above).
6. Charitable donations and bequests
will extract books containing abstracts of wills which made charitable bequests,
1800 - 1961.
7. Other copies and abstracts of wills
and administrations for the periods both before and after 1858.
Gravestone Inscriptions
A visit to a local cemetery may provide some genealogical
information. The recognition of particular Christian names in a family
may be an indication of a distant relative and the present families could then
be located.
Newspapers
It was the practice in the past as well as the present
time for notices of birth, marriage and death to appear in the newspapers.
Directories and Almanacs
It was common in the 19th century for town directories to
be issued. The earliest directories mainly confine themselves to
merchants and traders. The later ones may list all households.
Books of Survey and Distribution c. 1700
The books list the ownership of land in each barony
and parish prior to the forfeitures under the Parliamentary Government and
William III. The names of the old proprietors the lands fortified, the
extent profitable and unprofitable and the areas distributed to the
specified new owners.
Estate Records
The collections of estate records may contain the
following:
1. Rent rolls: which normally list
the tenants by townland
2. Leases
3. Rent ledgers: showing the amount paid in rent
4. Maps
5. Wages books: may contain the names of labourers,
servants and gardeners who may not
be tenants.
6. Land agents note - books: may contain details of a
tenant and their family
Hearth Money Rolls 1663 - 1669
The Hearth Money Act 1662 provided that there was
to be a tax of two shillings on each hearth (chimney). The rolls
contain the names of householders who paid the hearth tax. It is
arranges on a county, parish and townland basis.
Disclaimer: It is in your best interest to be sure of the information you
provide in your request. Please understand that every effort is made to locate
the information for you but the results depend on the accuracy of your input and
on the content of the records.
