What Irish Genealogy Records are available between 1912 and 1926?

Question

I am looking to find my wife's family between 1912 and 1926.  All her grandparents arrived in the US between 1926 and 1928 (Post Ellis Island) and have been found in the 1930 US Census.  Most have records from the 1901 and 1911 Census of Ireland.  

What records exist to find them in the years between 1912 and 1926

Focusing primarily on Donegal, Roscommon, and Kilkenny

Answer 1

First, which Ireland?  Until 1922, officially there was just one Ireland.  In that year, the country was split into the Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, which is independent.  Of the particular areas of interest to you, All three counties are in the Republic, although Donegal is in the province of Ulster and only shares a small border with the Republic. Currently, 2/3 of the propulation lives in the Republic.    

Second, if in Northern Ireland, Protestant or Catholic?  The Republic is almost entirely Catholic.  Northern Ireland is about half and half.

At FamilySearch, it appears that they have:
* Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920 (partial and only for some counties but not all)    
* Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958 (assume this is just for Northern Ireland after 1922, but not sure)
* Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924

At the National Archives of Ireland, you can find the Census of Ireland 1901/1911 (appears to be free).  Ancestry also has the 1911 Census, at least for 1911 (not sure about the Republic), but you have to pay.
[[www.census.nationalarchives.ie National Archives]]

For some counties in the Republic, the local diocese is not participating in general websites and has put church records online, for a fee.

Good luck.

Comments

Hi Vic,

Thanks for the info.  I have the 1901 and 1911 Census. and I have their arrival in the US starting in 1926. I am looking for the in between years.  Only a portion of Donegal is part of Northern Ireland (Britain) although it is in the North of Ireland.  

Thus I have not found PRONI to be very helpful. http://www.proni.gov.uk

My wife's Boyles and Logues are Catholic as well as her Lyngs and McCloskey's  Costellos.  

I have exhusted FamilySearch but it has been awhile so I should check them again.

Interesting tidbit.  The Immigration Act of 1924 required immigrants to get approval to come to the USA in the country of departure.  Thus while her family says they came through Ellis Island (technically correct) they are not registered there.  The act helped stop certain immigrants from coming to the US only to sent back.

---

Donegal is in the Republic, not Northern Ireland.

---

You are correct.  It is in the north of Ireland in the province of Ulster, with most of its border with Northern Ireland, but politically it is part of the Republic, although quite isolated from the rest of the Republic.

Answer 2

Check this link:

http://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=117

Comments

Thanks Doug, I will check them out.

Answer 3

Hi Michael,

Funnily enough, for folk leaving County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, you'll find the departing immigration records were kept by the National Archives (UK).

This is because the two nearest ports were both just across the border in the UK: Glasgow, Scotland or Londonderry, Northern Ireland (as it was written in records in the 1920s - though better known as Derry amongst people from Donegal. I'll say no more and stay out of that minefield!).

These are now online in a very good database "Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960" on FindMyPast.com. You will need a membership, but there is usually a week's free trial.

https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/passenger-lists-leaving-uk-1890-1960

Delighted to say I I found our Hugh Hanlon of Kincasslagh, County Donegal leaving from Londonderry, UK in 1927.

Good luck! Annemarie