My original idea for a Saint Patrick’s Day email was simple: share a list of great websites for Irish genealogy. But as I started pulling resources together, I quickly realized just how much information is out there.
Instead of trying to list everything, a more helpful approach is to point you toward the best gateways—resources that help you find everything else.
The Websites
Family Search Wiki
Ireland is fortunate to have a large number of publicly funded archives, libraries, and institutions that are invaluable for genealogy research. Rather than listing each one individually, I highly recommend starting with the FamilySearch Wiki. It offers an in-depth, comprehensive guide to Irish genealogy, including links to major repositories, county-specific resources, and record types. When combined with its many subpages, it truly functions like a reference book.
Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland
Another essential resource is the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, an ambitious project created by Trinity College Dublin. Its goal is to digitally reconstruct the Public Record Office of Ireland, much of which was destroyed in 1922. This site is both historically significant and increasingly useful for research.
Irish Genealogy
Irish Genealogy, maintained by the Irish Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, is another key site. It provides free access to civil registration records and church records, making it one of the most important databases for Irish family history.
Find My Past
Find My Past is a subscription-based site with a strong focus on British and Irish records. While it can be a bit pricey, they offer a month-to-month option with no long-term commitment. If you have a specific research goal, consider focusing your work into a single month to make the most of your subscription.
Cyndi’s List
And of course, no genealogy resource list is complete without Cyndi’s List, which provides categorized links to Irish (and other) resources across the web.
The Webinars
If you prefer videos to reading, there are excellent webinar options available.
RootsTech Webinars
The RootsTech website hosts 11 free webinars from prior conferences focused on Irish research. These are a great way to explore specific topics and hear from experienced researchers:
Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Legacy Family Tree Webinars offers an even larger collection, with 74 sessions (at last count) dedicated to Irish genealogy. Topics range from DNA to religious records—areas that can be particularly challenging in Irish research.
I’ve often said that this is one of the best $50/year investments you can make in your genealogy education. With over 2,600 webinars available, there is something for everyone. And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my Tech Zone videos!
The Books
In keeping with the online theme, all of these titles are available on Amazon Kindle, and many can also be accessed through your local library’s ebook collections.
The Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide: How to Trace Your Ancestors in Ireland
by Claire Santry – Very accessible – a great book when you’re starting out.
Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide
by David S. Ouimette. An excellent overview if you’re feeling overwhelmed about all the information out there.
Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide, 5th edition
by John Grenham. The only resource not available on Kindle, but a classic nontheless! If you need it, this regularly updated guide has it.
Irish genealogy can feel challenging at first, but with the right tools—and a bit of patience—you’ll find that the records are there, waiting to tell your family’s story.