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About Irish Origins collections

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Subscription to Irish Origins gives you access to the richest source of authentic Irish genealogy records online.

We offer research aids to the records and images that are physically stored in many different places so you'll find information that isn't available anywhere else on the internet.

Subscription includes access to:
  • the definitive version of Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864), the 'census substitute' for mid 19th Century Ireland; includes maps and plans
  • Censuses and census substitutes, Wills, Militia and Burial records, Passenger lists, Directories, Electoral registers and more
  • the Irish Origins Image Library
  • our Irish genealogy guide and more!
The articles below explain how each record in the Irish Origins collection can help your research. They're packed with detailed information, tips and techniques on how to read, use and navigate your way though the data.


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Census records & census substitutes
Griffith's Valuation  1847-1864  
The "census substitute" for mid-19th century Ireland; the first systematic valuation of all property holdings in Ireland. The version of the survey available here is definitive, containing the most complete set of revisions and amendments available anywhere. Indispensable for Irish genealogy research.
Dublin City Census 1851  
A comprehensive list of over 60,000 names and addresses of heads of households, accompanied by scanned images of the original 1847 Ordnance Survey Town Plans of Dublin City, to help users identify specific addresses.
Dublin City Census 1901: Rotunda Ward  
Includes details of 13,556 individuals living in over 1,334 properties in the Rotunda Ward in Dublin City, and comprises a full extraction of the data in the relevant 1901 census records.
Census of Elphin 1749  
Records for nearly 20,000 people residing in the Diocese of Elphin in 1749. Completeness, detail of occupations, status and households is unique, giving an insight into rural Ireland in the mid-18th century.
William Smith O'Brien Petition  1848-9  
The William Smith O'Brien Petition is list of over 80,000 names and places from 1848/9, the time of the Great Famine. It is a valuable census substitute for that time, as well as an important historical resource.
Irish "strays" in England & Wales Census 1841  
The 1841 census was the very first in the UK to contain names. A full index to and digitised images of the complete census for England & Wales is now available. Users with access to CDs of the original records can use this index alongside these CDs.
Irish "strays" in England & Wales Census 1871  
A full index to and digitised images of the original 1871 Census records for the above counties. Further counties will be added on a regular basis. Users with access to CDs of the original records can use this index alongside the CDs.

Counties: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Glamorgan, London-Kent, London-Middlesex, London-Surrey, Middlesex (ex. Metropolitan area), Norfolk, Staffordshire, Surrey (ex. Metropolitan area), Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
Tithe Defaulters 1831  
The most important evidence we have of the infamous Tithe War 1831-38. Over 29,000 names indexed are those recorded by the Church of Ireland clergy who refused to pay their tithe (or religious tax).
Electoral registers
Electoral Registers for Ireland   1832-38  
This dataset details those eligible to vote in Ireland after the electorate had been greatly increased following the Great Reform Act of 1832. Over 52,600 names, details of occupations, addresses and entitlement criteria to vote.
Marriage records
Dublin Will and Grant Books Index  1270-1858
Since most of the original records were lost in the PRO in 1922, these indexes, containing marriages, may represent the only record of lost primary source material.
Wills records
Index of Irish Wills  1484-1858
The Index to Irish Wills, exclusively available online on Irish Origins, covers all wills and related documents, up to 1858, held by the National Archives of Ireland.
Dublin Will and Grant Books Index   1270-1858
Since most of the original records were lost in the PRO in 1922, these indexes, containing wills, may represent the only record of lost primary source material.
Burial records
Memorials of the Dead - Galway & Mayo
Includes full transcripts of the surviving memorials found in the 128 graveyards and churches of west Counties Galway and Mayo. Over 3,000 memorials dated up to 1901 have been transcribed and over 8,000 names indexed.
Brian J. Cantwell's Memorials of the Dead
Cantwell's original typewritten records are available on Irish Origins as digitised images. Over 60,000 names have been indexed primarily covering Counties Wicklow, Wexford and South Dublin.
Military records
Militia Attestations Index  1872-1915 Hard copies available
An index to Militia Attestation Papers for over 12,500 militiamen in the Royal Garrison Artillery (present day Royal Artillery) in Ireland. A very fruitful data source for Irish genealogy. Hard copies of the original documents are available for ordering.
Ireland's Memorial Records  1914-18
The collection, published in 1923, was compiled to preserve the names of over 49,000 Irishmen who lost their lives in World War I. The most complete record known and unique in many ways.
Passenger Lists
British & Irish Passenger Lists  1890
1890 passenger lists from British & Irish ports with US and Canadian destinations. The names of over 100,000 passengers are included. These records are exclusive to The Origins Network.
Transatlantic Migration  1858-1870  
All the details recorded on ships' passenger lists returning to Britain and Ireland from North America between 1858 and 1870. Over 42,000 people are recorded most of whom were of Irish, English or Scottish origin.
Directories
Directories of Ireland
Only a handful of truly national Irish directories exist. The directories available on Origins Network are some of the most comprehensive Irish directories available.
General records and images
Griffith's Survey Maps & Plans
The original maps and town plans used for the Griffith's Valuation team are now available online exclusively on Irish Origins. The Ordnance Survey (OS) maps used by the team still exist, marked up and annotated by those working on the Primary Valuation and subsequently by Valuation Office personnel.
Irish Origins Library   7 collections, 19th century
The Irish Origins Library showcases rare vintage photos, maps, books and other publications from Ireland of interest to researchers of Irish genealogy. Images and descriptions of Ireland prior to the 20th century are very scarce, and these collections offer a rare glimpse of daily life throughout the country.
Dublin City 1847 Ordnance Survey Town Plans
These maps, made available by the Planning Department of Dublin Corporation, are the first detailed town plans of Dublin City to be produced by the Ordnance Survey. They are still used today, particularly by cartographers and city planners and developers.