We also hold a print copy of Griffith’s Valuation for Limerick and microfilm copies of the Tithe Applotment Books and the Schools’ Folklore Collection for the county. We have a collection of books of histories of various Limerick families.
For those seeking to build a family tree or to commission genealogical research, we recommend Limerick Genealogy: https://www.limerickgenealogy.com/
Family history is an area of great interest to many people. Among the resources which can be helpful in such research is our significant collection of books on the history of specific families.
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There are a number of items in our collection which contain very useful information for research, particularly in the area of family history.
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We have compiled all notices of deaths contained in the Limerick Chronicle (and some other Limerick newspapers) from 1781 to 1951
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Through the directories you will be able to trace any family that operated a business or was listed in street directories during the period covered.
Learn MoreThe first successful census of Ireland was conducted in 1821, inaugurating a decennial series which ended in 1911. The returns for the 1821-91 period have almost entirely been lost, so all that remain for researchers are those for 1901 and 1911 which are available here: http://census.nationalarchives.ie/
The next census of Ireland was conducted in 1926, the records of which will be released in January 2027.
Civil (state) registration of births, marriages, and deaths was introduced into Ireland in 1864. The sole exception was non-Catholic marriages, which that state began recording from 1845. Civil records of Births (1864-1922), Marriages (1845-1947) and Deaths (1864-1972) are available on www.irishgenealogy.ie
Roman Catholic parish records of baptisms, marriages and (uncommonly) burials are held by the parishes themselves. However, in 1949 the National Library microfilmed parochial registers from their dates of commencement (which varies widely from parish to parish) until c.1880. These can be viewed at https://registers.nli.ie/
Church of Ireland registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials are variously held by the parishes, the National Archives, the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, and the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. A significant number were lost during the destruction of the Public Records Office of Ireland in June 1922. A full listing of surviving Church of Ireland registers and their locations is available here:
https://www.nationalarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PARISHREGISTERS.pdf
Methodist Church: Detailed information on Irish Methodist records is available here:
https://methodisthistoryireland.org/irish-methodist-baptismal-and-marriage-records/
Presbyterian Church: Detailed information on Irish Presbyterian congregational records is available here: https://www.presbyterianireland.org/Utility/About-Us/Historical-Information/Congregational-Records.aspx
The Society of Friends: Records of births, marriages, deaths, and burials is available here: https://www.limerick.ie/discover/explore/historical-resources/limerick-archives/archive-collections/religious-society
Tithe Applotment Books: These were compiled between 1823 and 1837 to assess the tithes payable by the occupants of agricultural holdings of over one acre to the then established Church of Ireland. Books for almost every civil parish in Ireland survive, recording the head of the family, the acreage held, and the sum to be paid. They are available here:
http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
Griffith’s Valuation: Published between 1847 and 1864, Griffith’s Primary Valuation constituted the first comprehensive survey of property occupancy in Ireland, both buildings and land. Valuation books and corresponding maps for every civil parish in Ireland survive, recording the head of the family, their immediate lessors, and the value of the property held. These books and maps are available here:
https://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=placeSearch
Mount St Lawrence Burial Records: Mount St Lawrence opened as Limerick city’s municipal cemetery for all faiths and none in 1855 and remains so today. Registers for the 1855-2008 period recording the names of the deceased, their ages and addresses at death, and the location of their graves are available here:
Roots Ireland: rootsireland.ie is a subscription service providing transcriptions of 23 million Irish genealogical records, including an extensive and fully searchable database of Limerick civil and ecclesiastical records.
