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Family History Workshops - Videos
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* The Monreagh History Centre is located in Co. Donegal. Therefore, the discussion centers around Donegal but is very relative to research in any area of Ireland.
Poised gracefully amid the fertile lands of the Laggan Valley in East Donegal, near the banks of the River Foyle, approximately 8 kms from the historical City of Derry / Londonderry is Monreagh Ulster Scots-Scots Irish Heritage & Education Centre.
In the tranquil settings of a beautiful restored 19th century manse, visitors are taken on a journey through the mists of time, exploring the rich heritage of the Laggan district in West Ulster.
Family History Workshop 1 of 10
Boyd Gray gives an overview of tracing your family history
Family History Workshop
2 of 10
Boyd Gray gives an overview of the various sources of information for tracing your family history.
Family History Workshop
3 of 10
Boyd Gray demonstrates how to effectively and efficiently record all your family research discoveries.
Some really good hints and tips here, that most people will find extremely useful.
Family History Workshop
4a of 10
Boyd Gray discusses the Griffith Valuation, one of the earliest sources of family history information in Ireland.
This was a survey of property occupiers in Ireland made between 1848 and1864.
Its importance lies in the fact that it lists almost every head of household for each county.
This valuation records every landowner and householder in Ireland in a period shortly after the famine.
Family History Workshop
4b of 10
Boyd Gray demonstrates how to interpret The Griffith Valuation.
Family History Workshop
5 of 10
Boyd Gray demonstrates how to search the 1901 and 1911 censuses with greater effect by applying these hints and tips.
Family History Workshop
6 of 10
Boyd Gray discusses two new sources of information to supercharge your family history research: The Tithe Applotment Book and Griffith Valuation Revision Books.
The Tithe Applotment Books are a vital source for genealogical research for the pre-Famine period, given the loss of the 1821-51 Census records. They were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount which occupiers of agricultural holdings over one acre should pay in tithes to the Church of Ireland (the main Protestant church and the church established by the State until its dis-establishment in 1871).
In 1825 Griffith was appointed by the British Government to carry out a boundary survey of Ireland. He was to mark the boundaries of every county, barony, civil parish and townland in preparation for the first Ordnance Survey. He completed the boundary work in 1844.
He was also called upon to assist in the preparation of a Parliamentary Bill to provide for the general valuation of Ireland. This Act was passed in 1826, and he was appointed Commissioner of Valuation in 1827, but did not start work until 1830 when the new 6" maps, became available from the Ordnance Survey and which he was required to use as provided for by statute.
Family History Workshop
7 of 10
Births, Deaths & Marriage records in Ireland. Boyd discusses both Civil and Church records.
Family History Workshop
8 of 10
Births, Marriages and Death Records in Ireland – How to us the free online database, FamilySearch.
Family History Workshop
9 of 10
Births, Marriages and Death Records in Ireland – How to use the online database paysites: Emerald Ancestors and especially RootsIreland – without paying too much for incorrect certificates.
Family History Workshop
10 of 10
Other websites including PRONI where one can find the Wills Calendars and Pensear’s Old Age Pension/Census website PLUS the County Lists and websites.
This is a list of other useful websites which you will wish to use for researching your Irish family history online.
Family History Workshop Update - Part
1 - Griffith Valuation & Revision Books
Boyd explains how to use the Griffith Valuation Records in conjunction with the
Griffiths Valuation Revision Books.
Family History Workshop Update - Part
2A - Births, Deaths, Marriages Pt. One
Boyd details procedures for researching births, deaths and marriages using
various websites.
Family History Workshop Update - Part
2B - Births, Deaths, Marriages Pt. Two
Boyd continues to detail procedures for researching births, deaths and marriages
using various websites.