IrelandGenWeb-L Archives

From: "Jean Rice" <>
Subject: Re: [IGW] Cummins and Bernard - Resource Book for Researching
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 13:37:26 -0800
References: <F132wHsosMLl1PCucg500017e39@hotmail.com>

Hellow Clare, There are many surviving records for you to research and much
of it has been re-recorded by the LDS (Mormon) Family History Centers. Too
much information to go into detail here. Note the more data and documents
you can gather on the families in the KNOWN places they lived, the better
your chances are of locating the families in Ireland.

State registration of non-Catholic marriages began in Ireland in 1845. All
births, deaths and marriages have been registered in Ireland since 1864.
The LDS (Mormon) Family History Centers have made copies of much of the
data.

One of the peculiarities of the system of civil registration is that,
although the local Registrars were responsible for the Registers themselves,
the legal obligation to register births, deaths and marriages actually
rested with the public, and was enforced with hefty fines.

Full government censuses were taken of the whole island in 1821, 1831, 1841,
1851, 1861, 1871, 1901 and 1911. The first four were largely destroyed in
1922 in the fire at the Public Record Office.

Ireland has been in upheaval throughout the centuries and records and
illiteracy can reflect that. Spelling and ages on records should be a
guide, but be flexible. Be sure and post a query also at Rootsweb Message
Boards.

A complete and reader-friendly explanation (and samples) of all types of
records such as censuses, census substitutes such as Griffith's Valuation
(1848-1864) , civil records, church/parish records, wills, land records,
locally-held school records, trade directories, emigration records, books
and journals, manuscripts, deeds, newspaper, occupational records, late
registration, etc., their locations and what you can expect to find as well
valuable tips for success, are carefully outlined in "Tracing Your Irish
Ancestors," by John GRENHAM.

Don't forget to read about your surnames at your library in an Irish surname
book for history behind the name, variations in spelling and distribution in
Ireland for background. Unusual middle names or given names can sometimes
be mother's maiden surname "in disguise." Jean

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clare Abbott" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 3:17 AM
Subject: [IGW] Cummins and Bernard


> Hi List
>
> I am new to this list (and Irish genealogy) so I thought I'd post my
> interests. Michael Cummins, shoemaker from Ireland (census) and Catharine
> Bernard, also from Ireland, had a son Michael in Pembroke Dock (a town in
> Wales!) in 1865. They had another son John and moved to Cardiff. I am
trying
> to find out where in Ireland they originated, and how to find a marriage
for
> Michael and Catharine. This isn't on the Indexes for England and Wales, so
> presumably happened in Ireland before they emigrated.They were Catholic.
>
> I'm a bit confused. I read that the Civil records for BMD were
> largely destroyed, and also that they can be searched.Were all church
> weddings also recorded in civil records, as in England and Wales
>
> Michael senior appears to have been born about 1839 and Catharine
> about 1845
> I will be very grateful for any help
>
> Clare Abbott

This thread:

• Re: [IGW] Cummins and Bernard - Resource Book for Researching by "Jean Rice" <>