Mathews family research

Hi Di,

Thank you for your message.

As civil registration did not begin in Ireland until 1864, the best place to find this kind of information for the family is Church records. Church of Ireland parish registers for the period up to 1870-are public records. Registers are available for about one third of the parishes, however many were destroyed in the Public Records Office in Dublin in 1922. Most are still held by the local clergy, although some are in the National Archives of Ireland and others are in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. A list of all surviving registers is available in the National Archives. http://ireland.anglican.org/about/42 and http://www.nationalarchives.ie/.  The Anglican Record Project is has created an index to their records: http://ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/AngRecord/bunclodyunionindex.pdf

There are also some websites where you can search for church records:

www.familysearch.org This is a huge database of genealogical records compiled by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. It includes some records of births, marriages, deaths in Ireland in the 19th century (not complete)

www.irishgenealogy.ie/index.html This is an ongoing project whereby records are being uploaded free of charge. The only areas covered so far are Kerry, Carlow, parts of Cork and parts of Dublin.

www.irishroots.ie Another website which a vast collection. However please note you have to pay to view these records.

It may also be an idea to contact the heritage and genealogy centre in Dun Laoghaire for assistance-a fee may apply.

Dun Laoghaire Heritage and Genealogy Centre,

Craft Courtyard,

Marlay Park,

Rathfarnham,

Dublin 16.

Phone: +353 (0) 1 4954485              Email: cmalone@dlrcoco.ie

Here is also a list of websites that you may find useful:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm

Dublin City: dublinheritage.ie

Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/dublin/index.html

I hope some of these are helpful. Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.

Kind regards,       

Genealogy Support