Genealogy – Irish

Researching your family tree is a growing hobby. This class teaches you where to begin with Irish sources like the census, birth, death and marriage certificates, then progresses to parish registers, newspapers, wills, land records and the military. No prior knowledge is required but ability to use a computer and the internet is essential, as many genealogy records are now online.

Course Outline

Class I
What is genealogy? Irish history in context.

Basics: where to start, how to record data, what to ask.
Place names and cousin relationships.

Class II: The Census
In-depth look at the censuses & how to use them.

Class III: Civil Records
Births, Deaths, Marriage records at the General Register Office

Class IV: Church records
History of, where to find them, what is in them, discussing all major religions in Ireland. Cemeteries and memorial inscriptions.

Class V: Land records
an introduction to the main land records Griffith’s Valuation, the Valuation Office & the Tithe Applotment books

Class VI
DNA testing & how to use it as part of genealogical research

Class VII
Newspapers, trade directories and local history journals.

Class VIII
Military Records: British Army, Free State Army, WWI, Independence & Civil War period records.

Class IX
Emigration & how to look for Irish people in Britain & the main diaspora countries

Class X
Crime & Punishment – policing, prison, court & workhouse records

Course Day & Time: Monday evening 7.30 – 9.30

Start Date: 25/01/2027

Cost: €110

Course Format: In class with tutor. Maximum of 12 students.

Duration: 10 weeks

Enrol: Registration is available by going onto our school website www.malahidecsadulted.ie
and clicking on the ‘Enrol Here’ button.

Enrolment for this course will open on Tuesday the 8th of December at 10am

Tutor: Claire Bradley

Claire Bradley is a professional genealogist based in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a Certificate in Family History from University College Dublin and an MA in the History of the Family from the University of Limerick. As well as teaching the course in Malahide Community School, she takes on research for clients and regularly gives lectures to family and local history societies. Claire is a former chairperson of the Ireland Branch of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. She also helps run the popular Boards.ie genealogy forum. Her particular interests are genetic genealogy, Irish Quakers and Dublin records. Her website is www.cbgenealogy.ie