Findmypast plans to release four Irish record collections next month that should help many family historians further their research.
According to Brian Donovan, global head of Irish Collections at Findmypast.com, the British-based online genealogy company will release the Valuation Office Field and House Books on September 15. These records, which contain about two million names, will allow us to go back a generation earlier than Griffith’s Valuation.
Another large collection that will interest many family historians will be the Merchant Marine Records that contain almost one million names. What is especially interesting about these records is that they provide the individual’s age, place of birth, next of kin, and their entire career. Half of the merchant marines were from Ireland and the other half were from Britain, continental Europe, and America.
Two other Irish collections planned for release are Irish Wills 1858-1922 and Catholic Qualifications and Convert Rolls. (During the 18th century, the only way for Catholics to own land, have a profession, run for office, or go to school was to go to court to convert to the established Episcopalian church.)
Free webinar available until August 30
These upcoming releases were revealed during the Legacy Family Tree webinar, Using Findmypast to Unlock Your Irish Ancestry, presented by Mr. Donovan.
This webinar, available to watch for free until Tuesday, August 30, is a good primer on the types of Irish records that exist and which collections, such as certain census and church records, were destroyed.
Free Irish records
For anyone who is not a subscriber, Findmypast offers some Irish collections for free, such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses and Irish Catholic parish registers. They are able to do so because of their partnership with The National Archives of Ireland.
