Irish Jurisdictions
Family History research in Ireland requires familiarity with historical records and how these records are organized. Irish Jurisdictions are unique; a knowledge of the geography of Ireland and the various administrative divisions, including both civil and ecclesiastical divisions, is a beginning point for informed research.
Government records, the census, civil registration, and Griffith’s Valuation are organized by Civil Parishes. Catholic Church records are organized by Catholic Parish.
The most specific location in Ireland is the Townland. There are more than 60,000 townlands in Ireland. We will introduce you to a townland index. Knowledge of an ancestor’s townland gives one a feeling of confidence in the research.
