Genealogy Chat

Sorry Kathryn, but I must disagree with you there. The first census taken in Ireland was in 1821, and they were taken as per the rest of the UK up until partition in the early 1920's. There were also earlier forms of census taken as far back as the 1600's in the form of Muster Rolls, Flax Grower's Records, Bishop's Returns etc. While some records were destroyed in the famous Four Courts Fire, these were in the main, parish records. It was the British Government that destroyed most of the Census Records at about the time of WW1. For what reason this was done is not strictly clear, although the theory of wood pulp for other uses has been suggested. As it is, the 1901 Census is the earliest complete census available for Ireland, and the latest available to those of us who reside in the UK. The 1911 Census is available over the border in the Irish Republic. If you take a look at proni(.)nics(.)gov(.)uk(/)records(/)census19(.)htm it gives you details of what is actually still available. Paul (an Englishman by the way)

Be warned: there aren't many survivng records. The Irish were slow to start them and quick to destroy them.

have a look on the message down below that says good web sites there is some irish sites for u good hunting

advice needed please i am about to start a search for my family tree in northern ireland where do i start looking for census many thanks irene walker