Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and found about this petition from the ancestry.com message boards. I had a research request in around late 2003 early 2004, but they were not able to get to it prior to the February 4, 2004 close date of the center.
Because of this, research into my Great, Great, Grandparents, Michael Hayes and Barbara Costello has not been able to progress much. A computerized index of the parish records or some other way to search quickly through the parish records for baptisms is needed in order to do research, especially if you only know the county of origin and not what parish or townland they came from.
The website:
http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/csi/csi_main.cfm This website actually has a list of all the baptisms in county Limerick. Problem is, they don't list any other key information such as parish where baptism occured, or the names of parents. They offer a link for the old center to go to next, which is of course closed down.
I think the government in County Limerick should find a way to reopen the center. Many people around the world have roots in the county, and many of them would likely come to visit County Limerick if they could find out more detailed information on where there ancestors were born within the county and lived. This could lead to tourism and business in many parts of the county that may normally not receive such business.
Consider the fact that almost every single county in Ireland has a research center open. I believe most consider it a vital part of the county for a variety of reasons.
If anyone has an update on the situation, please post it.
LEW
Pennsylvania, USA
