Ireland

1. FamilySearch: Learn about Ireland genealogy in this FamilySearch Wiki article.
   
   FS—Wiki: Ireland Genealogy


2. Basics: Learn the basics of Irish research in these videos.
   
   AAC: Beginning Your Search for Irish Ancestors—5:56
   AC—Beginning Irish Research—29:50 - 2013


3. Strategies: Find out what you need to know before beginning Irish research.
   
   AAC—What I Need to Know Before Research Can Begin—7:44


4. Here are some tips for starting your Irish research.
   
   Irish Genealogical Society International: Research


5. Here are some handy Irish research guides you can use.
   
   McClelland Library: Irish Genealogy Research - 2017


  McClelland Library Practice  |  

We would like to know the parents of Clarence Mac Burton, who was born in Ireland in the 19th century. So far, the only information we have for Clarence is his name and a U.S. census in 1901 that shows his residence in New York and mentions he was born in Ireland. In the census, he appears to have been recently married to a woman from New York. Use the McClelland Library: Irish Genealogy Research - 2017 website above to determine the next steps in finding Clarence's parents.

Hints  |  
1. Determine additional record types that would be useful to start looking for in this research.
2. Keep in mind the established research goal of finding Clarence's parents. What are the next steps?
Answers

Step 2 in the McClelland guide is "Start With What You Know." For gathering known family information, we would want to search emigration records, previous census records, land records, obituaries, and anything else that could establish familial connections and have multiple sources for the family in the United States. Establishing these will allow us to find more people and connections once we move back to Ireland.
(Contributed by Kaylee Lynn)

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6. Learn secrets for successful Irish family research in this Findmypast video.
   
   FMP—Secrets for Successful Irish Family Research—60:31 - 2017
   
   
   


7. Record Finder: Use the Ireland Record Finder to understand record types for research.
   
   FS—Wiki: Ireland Record Finder

Exercises

Vault

(6:03)

1. Tips: Get tips for finding Irish records.
   
   AC—Tips for Finding Irish Records
   FMP—Irish Records—17:32 - 2014   
   • Land records
   • Griffith's Valuation maps
   • Court and prison records
   • Marriage Finder
   • Census, 1821-1851
   • More records
   
   
   
   


2. This Findmypast video is an extended version of the Irish Records video above.
   
   Everything you need to know about Irish family history records—54:16 - 2016
   
   


3. Here are some expert tips for researching Irish ancestors.
   
   AC—Tips for Researching Irish Ancestors—6:57 - 2015
   
   

Records

1. Explore the JohnGrenham.com site to learn about record types.
2. Explore the Irish Records Extraction database on Ancestry.
3. Explore the Forebears.io site for research records.
4. Search the Irish Genealogy Research Society (IRGS) site for for a variety of records.

Locations

1. Places: Get an overview of Irish place names in this article.
   
   Irish Places


2. Explore the Placenames Database of Ireland website.
3. Map: Use the FamilySearch clickable map for counties in Ireland.

Exercises

1. Names: Learn about Irish names and naming patterns.
   
   TH—Common Irish Last Names - 2019
   FMP—Traditional Irish Naming Patterns - 2018

  Surname Practice  |  

In 1864, Peggy and Patrick Murray were the parents of 12 children, with the family living in Ireland. Certain surnames were more prevelant in some counties of Ireland than others. Based on their last name, which Irish county did the Murray family most likely live in?

Hints  |  
1. Open the article in step 2: "TH—Common Irish Last Names - 2019"
2. Scroll down the page of surnames until you locate "Murray." The description of likely counties is provided under that name.
Answer

According to the Thoughtco article, the Murray surname is especially prolific in Donegal.

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2. Explore surname distribution (a map where certain surnames are prevalent) in Ireland.
3. Use this Surname Guide to help trace your Irish genealogy.
   
   AF: Do You Have Irish Genealogy? Use This Handy Surname Guide to Trace Your Heritage—8:02 - 2019
   
   
   


4. Tips: Here are tips for researching Irish names.
   
   FMP—Top 5 Research Tips for Irish Names - 2021


5. Learn more about working with Irish surnames.
   
   MH—Making the Most of Your Irish Surname


6. Learn about potential research challenges with Irish names.
   
   The Problem of Names




Sites and Databases

1. Explore Irish surname research on the Fianna website.
2. Use the Irish Logainm site to find names and places in both English and Irish.
3. Search the Geneanet site for Irish surnames.

Exercises
• * Good: Using the articles and videos in this Choice, write down key learnings for surname research. Then use the learnings for searches for an ancestor.
• * Proficient: Same as above, for two or more ancestors.

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