Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Irish: Religious Records
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
The course examines the differences between the various forms of church (parish) records in Ireland and in particular between the Roman Catholic Church, to which the vast majority of Irish people belonged, and the conformist records of the Church of Ireland. Which was the official state church until 1869. Different time periods will be covered in relation to:
- historical backgrounds
- content of records
- availability of/access to records
- effective research procedures.
We will also touch on the extensive collection of marriage licenses (1623-1866) and comment on their historical background, contents, value, and availability to researchers.
Historical: This course originated February 2024. Current version copyright is February 2024.
If you have older material, it needs to be replaced. Use the chat app to order your replacement materials.
Formerly was Irish: Conformist & Non-Conformist Church Records, originated May 2001, final version copyright November 2016.
Course Content
MODULE 1
Introduction
Introduction to Church Records
Locating Church Records
Rootsireland.ie.
Module 1 Assignments
MODULE 2
Roman Catholic Church Records
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
- Baptisms
- Marriages
- Burial Registers
Recommended Reading and Resources
- Abbreviations & Latin Terms
MODULE 3
Church of Ireland Records
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
- Baptisms
- Marriages
- Marriage Licences and Bonds
- Burial Registers
- Vestry Minute Books
- Marriage Licenses (1623-1866)
Module 3 Assignments
MODULE 4
Presbyterian Church Records
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
- Baptisms
- Marriages
- Burial Records
- Session Minutes
- The Dublin Colporteur Notebook of 1875
Module 4 Assignments
MODULE 5
Methodist Church Records
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
- Baptism Records
- Marriage Records
- Burial Records
Recommended Reading and Resources
Module 5 Assignments
MODULE 6
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
- Birth Records
- Marriage Records
- Deaths/Burial Records
- Migration Records
- Sufferings
Recommended Reading and Resources
Module 6 Assignments
MODULE 7
Jewish Records
Historical Background
Practices & Beliefs
The Records
Recommended Reading and Resources
Module 7 Assignments
MODULE 8
Other Religious Groups
Huguenots
- Historical Background
- Practices & Beliefs
- The Records
- Recommended Reading and Resources
Baptist Church
- Historical Background
- Practices & Beliefs
- The Records
- Recommended Reading and Resources
Moravian Church
- Historical Background
- Practices & Beliefs
- The Records
- Recommended Reading and Resources
Course Summation
Module 8 Assignments
BIBLIOGRAPHY