Irish Ancestry

[Mobo]

What would be an acceptable amount for a donation to a parish when requesting information? Thanks,Karen

Hi Karen,

This is purely up to the individual, but I usually send a cheque for £5.00, after all, the priest is normally a very busy man and does 'look-ups' as a favour.  Anyway it's up to you.

 

[Mobo]

 

The Old Age Pension Act was introduced in Ireland in 1908, which meant that people over a certain age were guaranteed a pension from the state. However, because the compulsory registration of births had only begun in 1864, claimants of the pension were unable to provide a birth certificate to prove their age. Consequently, in order to establish a person's age, a search of the 1841 and 1851 census was necessary.

The claimant of the pension would give the name of the Townland and Parish where he/she was born or resided in at the time of the 1841/51 census, a search would be made of that townland’s census returns and the result recorded. In some cases the family would not be found and so only the result “No trace” was entered. However, on many occasions the search was successful. In these cases the additional information could state only the age of applicant at the time of the census, but, in many records the names and ages of every person living there is supplied.

Up until now, these Irish Pension Records were only to be found on microfilm, and were not indexed and very difficult to read. 

Now pensear.org have produced a database of the 286 surnnames, which can be accessed freely, and payment is only needed for looking in the record books themselves.

www.Pensear.org

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Mobo

Thanks very much for the information.  Will try that.

Evergreen

[Mobo]

 

Patrick Street, Cork City

 

[Patk]

Dear Mobo

Thanks for that. All my Irish ancestors are Manchester, that is inner city area. One church was St Mary Mulberry street, but there is also St Chad.
I did think of trying to join the Irish Society but did not know how to go about it. So I will have a look at the site you have kindly told me about.
Love the photos, please do not ever delete them, as I feel Cork and Dublin may be where my roots originate from!
It is really sad to see so many people, myself among them, on Rootschat having no base to start searching from. I know for example that the Irish in Manchester often did group together in little communities and areas where they were either related, or knew each other, but it is trying to find out from whence they came which is the problem.
I think I am related to most of the Irish in Manchester if one goes by names, eg Riley, Toole, Lynch, Mundy, Rafferty, McCormick and many others who are not my direct ancestors! 
We are so fortunate in the UK that one can research a family name, almost from knowing nothing at all, and from afar it has been relatively simple, but the Irish, well that is so hard.
Thanks again Mobo you are wonderful.
Pat

[Mobo]

 

Glad to be able to help Pat.  From the sound of it your Irish settled in the Deansgate area, (or little Ireland as it was then known). 

As I said, the Manchester & Lancs FHS is the place to start as they have done much research on it and, in fact, do guided tours for people whose ancestors lived there.  I'm sure they'll be able to help you one way or another.

Another link you may find interesting is

http://www.iwhc.com/index.htm

 

[Mobo]

 

Hi Pat,

You may be interested to know that
   
ST MARY'S, on Mulberry Street, is one of Manchester's most famous buildings. Tucked away at the back of Brasennose Street, it's always been known as the "Hidden Gem" (a phrase first used by the Bishop of Salford, Herbert Vaughan, in the late 19th century).

It was built in 1794, and was the first Catholic church to be erected in any English city after the Reformation and it's history ran parallel with the rise of Manchester from a small village in the 18th century to it's growth as one of the largest cities in England.  Founded during the industrialisation of Manchester it met the needs of the poor, many of whom arrived from Ireland.

By the early 19th century the area, once open meadowland, was soon surrounded by mean streets, disease and unspeakable living conditions, and although it's now covered by office blocks, smart shops and coffee bars, it's still known as 'Angel Meadow'.

[David1949]

Dear All

I thought I would add to this thread some information I came across quite innocently whilst attending the Family History exhibition in York a short time ago.

I was in conversation with a very knowledgeable chap from the Ulster Historical Foundation and he advised me that as far as he was aware the B,M & D indexes from 1864 to 1921 were to be digitised and put on the internet later this year. Apparently the Irish GRO have realised the huge cash raising potential of such an undertaking !

Perhaps someone else can confirm this.

I would also add that my wife and myself went to Dublin earlier this year and can confirm that the staff at GRO Lombard Street and also at the National Library, Genealogical research department are excellent. They went over and beyond the call of duty helping us out.

Regards

David

[Mobo]

 

Hi David,

I have also heard this story, but whether it will happen this year or not is anybody's guess. 

Lets keep our fingers crossed.