Course Seven – Irish Genealogical Research and Methodology

“Exceeded my expectations. I had heard this course was a “must do” and it is!”

“I feel this course was the complete package. I have taken many courses and talks over the years, and this course 7 was everything all in one and the most up to date in every way.”

“I am NO longer playing “Pin the tale on the Irishman!” Now, I feel that I can play the game with no blindfold!”

“I found the Zoom Classroom worked, I was able to focus on the slides, I could filter out the chat if need be, could put up hands, ask questions it all seemed so natural and easy. Both David and Dean were calm pleasant and great presenters, and they handled the Q&A like as if they had been doing it like that for years, and like sitting around chatting with friends.”

Course Seven – Irish Genealogical Research and Methodology


  • Registration is now open through Monday July 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. – register here!
  • Maximum: 35 students
  • Virtual classrooms using Zoom
  • All courses come with a digital syllabus
  • Students will receive a digital certificate upon course completion

Course Coordinator

David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS

Description

The Irish course returns to the IGHR lineup with a program focused on participants establishing a solid foundation in Irish records. A tremendous number of key Irish record collections have been added to the Internet for Irish research since the last time this course was held, and this year’s course will provide an in-depth look at the three major websites, FamilySearch, Ancestry and FindMyPast as well as many other online resources. Major advancements in the field of DNA have greatly assisted genealogists to resolve numerous tough Irish genealogical problems by correlating the DNA evidence with the written records. Two new DNA sessions have been added to this year’s course.

The course provides a good cross-section of key Irish record sets along with the methodologies needed to uniquely identify individuals and families. While Irish research can be challenging at times, this course is designed to help the beginner to advanced researcher with the skills needed to be successful in their research. The records of all of the major religions in Ireland are treated and the course materials will cover the 16th through the early 20th centuries.

Prerequisites, textbooks, and other student information

Course prerequisites:

None

Course requirements:

None

Required books:                                                                                                     

None

Recommended books:

Grenham, John. Tracing Your Irish Ancestors (5th edition)

Roulston, William J. Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors (2nd edition)

Byrne, Joseph. Byrnes Dictionary of Irish Local History

Paton, Chris. Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd edition)

Helferty, Seamus and Raymond Refaussé. A Directory of Irish Archives (5th edition)

Course Schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time)

Monday
10:30 – 11:00 Orientation (Rencher, Sayre, Bush)
11:00 – 12:15 Irish Jurisdictions and Reference Works (Sayre)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Methodology for Irish Immigration to North America (Rencher)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Ireland Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths (Rencher)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Irish Church Records (Rencher)
 
Tuesday
10:30 – 11:00 Day One Review (Rencher, Sayre)
11:00 – 12:15 Chasing the Poor and the Landless (Rencher)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 The Poor Law Unions and Board of Guardians (Sayre)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Irish DNA Part I (Bush)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Irish DNA Part II (Bush)
 
Wednesday
10:30 – 11:00 Day Two Review (Rencher, Sayre, Bush)
11:00 – 12:15 Irish Census and Census Substitutes Part I (1800-1922) (Rencher)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Valuation and Tithe Records (Sayre)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Irish Census and Census Substitutes Part II (1600-1800) (Rencher)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Methodology for Interpreting and Evaluating Name Lists (Rencher)
 
Thursday
10:30 – 11:00 Day Three Review (Rencher, Sayre)
11:00 – 12:15 Irish Probate Records (Rencher)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Irish Genealogical Collections and Methodology (Rencher)
2:00 – 3:30 Lunch
3:30 – 4:45 Irish Mapping Tools (Sayre)
4:45 – 5:15 Break
5:15 – 6:30 Major Websites for Irish Genealogical Research (Rencher)
 
Friday
10:30 – 11:45 Estate, Land and Property Records (Rencher)
11:45 –12:00 Break
12:00 – 1:15 Registry of Deeds and the Land Registry Offices (Rencher)
1:15 – 1:30 Break
1:30 – 2:45 Getting it all in Ireland (Sayre)

Course Faculty