Over 70 million worldwide claim Irish ancestry, and with a massive increase of interest in genealogy, many people are starting to trace their Irish family history. In addition to Ireland itself, the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Argentina all have sizeable Irish populations and many other countries around the world boast large Irish communities.
Within this book are country–specific guides to tracing family history, which also lead the reader to the records available in Ireland itself. Once you have traced your roots to Ireland (or indeed if you are in Ireland), the book then shows you how to trace back your family tree, using online and archive material – much can be done without having to travel to Ireland if you are abroad. Interspersed within the text are real–life stories and examples to help bring history alive.
Part 1: Tracing Back – First steps
Ask the family
The Irish Diaspora
Using and storing records
Civil Registration records
Part 2: Tracing Back – Country by country
Scotland
England and Wales
United States
Canada
Argentina
Australia
New Zealand
Part 3: Tracing your roots in Ireland
How to find the place of origin
Irish sources
The Divisions of Ireland
Censuses
Religious registers
Occupational records
Militia
Part 4: Tracing Ancient Irish Roots
Irish names, pedigrees and heraldry
