Looking for family in Ireland

Hi,

Thank you for your message.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find information without a more specific place of origin. Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or placename, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.

You could try using Griffith?s Valuation to see if you can narrow down a parish in the counties. This is a property valuation survey that was carried out in Ireland 1848-1864, it doesn?t offer any genealogical information but can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

Also, did you know that church records from Co. Kerry have been uploaded to http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/ free of charge?

You could also try checking:

www.familysearch.org has a huge database of genealogical records including some church records for Ireland.

www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site.

Some other websites that you may find useful are:

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

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

Ireland Genealogy projects: http://www.igp-web.com/

Remember to post any new information that you find here. 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.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support

My Purcell was Joanna, the wife of Michael Collins & mother of John, b. abt. 1919-20   He migrated to St. Louis, MO, USA  His parents would have been gone before the Margaret Purcell you seek.  But, perhaps knowing that my kins family lived in & around Kilkee & Kilrush prob in the Loophead area-poss Donoughboy or Ballyonan, might give you an area to search..   I find the name Purtill/Purtill there as well  Poss. a derivative.   You didn't mention where in Co. Clare your ancestors lived.   Jo