Civil registration of births, Catholic marriages and deaths began in Ireland
in 1864. The master indices for the entire country, produced at the General
Register Office in Dublin, are used for public research. The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons, has copies of almost all of the
General Register Office indices and some registers, making direct access to both
registers and indices possible through the local Family History Centers.
Research in a Family History Center can often be more
fruitful, and less costly, than a visit to the General Register Office itself.
In addition, some parts of the early years of birth registrations appear to be
included in the International Genealogical Index.
A certain proportion of all three categories, births, marriages and deaths,
simply went unregistered. It is impossible to be sure how much is not there,
since the thoroughness of local registration depended very much on local
conditions and on the individuals responsible, but
experience in crosschecking from other sources such as parish and census records
suggests that as much as 10 to 15 per cent of marriages and births simply do not
appear in the registers.
Recently, the GRO sent me rather specific instructions:
Search Fees:
-A search in the public office by the applicant over any period not exceeding
five years for any given entry is Irpunt 1.50.
-Search in the public office
through the indexes by an applicant to either Births or Deaths during any number
of successive hours not exceeding six, or to
the indexes to Marriages during any number of successive days not exceeding six
of IRpunts 12.00 does not include the cost of certificates or photocopies.
-Photocopy of an entry in the Register IR punt 3.00
-When reference information is supplied IR punt 1.50
-Authentication of certificate IR punt 1.50
Foreign applications: Fees are payable in Irish pound currency, Draft
I.E.P. or Euro checks or bank drafts drawn on an Irish Bank, made payable to the
Registrar General. Sterling checks, Postal Orders, US$ checks are accepted. The
minimum amount for a check drawn on a non-Irish
bank is 12.70 Euro. I bundle my requests so that I meet the minimum fee.
The GRO Search Room is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 and from 2:15
to 4:30 pm.
Births, Death and Roman Catholic marriages certificates are available from
General Registrar Office
8-11 Lombard Street East
Dublin 2 Ireland.
See below for local county office addresses.
Before 1864 you must use other sources to find/verify information,see:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlwat/instruct.htm
Registration of non-Catholic marriages began in 1845 in Ireland.
Registration of births, marriages and deaths, regardless of religion, began
January 1, 1864. The obligation to register these events rested on
the public and failure to do so carried hefty fines. Certificates for births,
marriages and deaths for all of Ireland until 1922 are housed in Dublin and
Belfast has the records for Northern Ireland from 1922 to
present.
Clues to family history and genealogy are found in the civil records.
The occupation or title gives clues to the family's lifestyle. Birth
certificates include the date and place of birth; the name; the sex; the name,
surname and residence of the father; the name, surname, maiden surname of the
mother; the rank, profession or occupation of the father; and the name and
qualifications of the informant, usually a family member. A given name was not
obligatory, so some entries are Kelly, Male or Clarke, Female.
The FHLC holds
microfilm copies of the index and certificates for 1864-1955.
Marriage certificates include the date and place of marriage; groom's name, age,
marital status, occupation or title, and residence; bride's name, marital
status, age, occupation or title, and residence. The names of the fathers of
both parties and their occupations or titles are given which makes them
particularly relevant to genealogy. The church and the names of two witnesses
are also listed. Witnesses to the marriage are commonly family members and may
add clues to family linkages. Full age indicates that the person was at least 21
years old.
Registration of non-Catholic marriages began in 1845 in Ireland. Registration
of births, marriages and deaths, regardless of religion, began January 1, 1864.
Certificates for births, marriages and deaths for all of Ireland until 1922 are
housed in Dublin. Belfast has the records for Northern Ireland from 1922 to
present. General Register Office, Joyce House, 8-11 Lombard St. East, Dublin 2
(See below for local county offices ) Fees are payable in Irish punts and cash
(Irish, Sterling, US dollars)
for any amount but the minimum amount for a check drawn on a non-Irish bank is
12.70 Euro. A photocopy of an entry will contain the same details as a
certificate
but is not suitable for administrative matters. However, it is ideal for
genealogical purposes. Photocopy (including search fee) is Irpunts 3.0 and
Certificate (including search fee) is Irpunts 5.50. If more than one
certificate relating to the death of the same person is required an additional
fee of 4.00 Irpunts should be sent for each extra certificate.
What is required for search: Name in full, date of event, place of event, age of
deceased, occupation of deceased, whether single, married, widow.
http://eurotrip.com/exchangerates.html or
http://quote.yahoo.com/m3?u or
http://www3.travelocity.com/converter/
to get the currency exchange rate for the day as it is changing weekly.
Certificates (B, M, D) IR5.50 US$6.00
Photocopy of an entry in Register 3.00 3.30
When index reference is Supplied 1.50 1.65
Short Birth Certificate 3.50
3.85
Authentication of a certificate 1.50
1.55
Postage:
United Kingdom & Ireland IRL .50 (E).63
All other countries:
1.00 1.27
Laois
(0502) 21135
Health Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co, Laois
Copyright © 2000, 2001 Ellen Naliboff
All rights reserved
