The Irish Bards Path

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This is part of the Ireland Project

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Welcome to the Irish Bards Path

... Has compleated the Irish Bards Path

So you want to become an Irish Bard? Bards, also known as Filí, were a class of poets and singers, entertainers, and more important, recorders of history and genealogy. In some of the other Projects, this training is called the Orphan Team Project. But here we call it the Irish Bards Path. And once you complete the training, you will be an Irish Bard.

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• Getting started in Irish Records and sources <- If you're new to Irish Records, start here.

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1821 Antrim, Carlow, Cavan, Dublin

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Parish Records

Working with RC parish records direct from the nli is a matter of great patience and understanding of latin (often) and handwriting. Not sure how you can train people for that. It is something which comes with practice and familiarity. Parish records on Irish Genealogy are easier and of course many of the nli RC records are on Family Search. What you need to teach people is proper addresses. So many times I see the registration district as a pert of the place of birth which of course it is not.

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City Colleges Diploma in Family History Research Spring 2023

This diploma course is being delivered by Members of Accredited Genealogists Ireland (AGI)

Session 1 6.45 – 7.45 Revision of the Foundations of Irish research (1) Sandy O’Byrne & Sandra Doble A look a land divisions; civil registration and census records. A reminder on navigating some of the principal libraries and archives and the importance of record sources beyond those available online.

Session 2 8.15 – 9.15 Revision of the Foundations of Irish research (2) Sandy O’Byrne & Sandra Doble Revision of Roman Catholic & Church of Ireland parish records and revisions of land records encompassing Tithe Applotment Books, Valuations books, Griffiths Valuation and Rates Revisions Books.

Session 3 9.15 – 9.30 Tutorial session Sandy O’Byrne & Sandra Doble An introduction to the homework that will form part of the class assessment.

WEEK 2 Thursday, 2nd February 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 Estate Papers Nicola Morris For anyone whose ancestors were tenants on the great estates of Ireland, an understanding of the records of these estates is essential for genealogical research. An overview of the locations of these records, the information they contain and the diversity of their formats will be presented.

Session 2 8.00 – 9.00 Registry of Deeds Máire Mac Conghail The Registry of Deeds was set up in 1708 as part of a mechanism associated with the Penal Laws designed to control and reduce Catholic land ownership. Not all deeds were registered but the records of “the Deeds” contain a wealth of information on eighteenth and nineteenth century Ireland. Though the Deeds primarily relate to the propertied classes, they are not limited to them. Memorials of such documents as property sales, leases, mortgages, marriage settlements and, (to a lesser extent), Wills, can open up new areas of research for family historians.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Session Sandy O’Byrne A review of week one and an introduction to the first assessable homework task.

WEEK 3 Thursday, 9th February 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 , and Session 2 8.00 – 9.00

Use of DNA in Genealogy Guest lecturer Maurice Gleeson

DNA testing is now a popular aspect of attempting to find clues to genealogical connections beyond the written records. This double lecture will look at the science behind DNA testing and will look the application of its findings to genealogical research & building a family tree with case studies included.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Session Sandra Doble An introduction to the main assignment.

WEEK 4 Thursday, 16th February 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30

Military Records – British Army Nicola Morris By the early 19th century, it is estimated that as many as one in three members of the British Army were Irish born. This lecture will discover what records may be available for Irish soldiers serving in the British army up to the time of Independence and how to access such records.

Session 8.00 – 9.00 Military Records - Ireland Nicola Morris A look at the resources of The Irish Military Archives including witness statements; 1922 census and the military pensions collection. Applying for information on service records of soldiers in the Irish army will also be covered.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Session Sandy O’Byrne

Students to submit a proposed subject for their main assignment together with a statement of the information the possess on that person/family and an outline plan of their intended research.

WEEK 5 Thursday, 23rd February 2022

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30

Church Of Ireland Records Sandra Doble As the Established or State Church, records generated by Church of Ireland Institutions reach well beyond the expected registers of baptism, marriage and burial. This session will look at such resources including the RCB manuscript collection; marriage licences; the COI Gazette and more.

Session 2 8.00 – 9.00 Non-Conformist Church Records Steven Smyrl This lecture on Protestant church records concerns Dissenting or Non-Conformist denominations. While an overview of history of such groups will be given, emphasis will be placed on the larger denominations such as Presbyterians and Methodists in relation to the contents of church records and access.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Sandra Doble Tutorial Session

WEEK 6 Thursday, 2nd March 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 Wills & Testamentary Records Steven Smyrl

This lecture will examine the ways in probate of wills was administered, both pre and post 1858. The losses in the 1922 fire will be discussed. Those records that survive and the array of substitute records which are available will be examined.

Session 2 8.00 – 9.00 Court Records Sandy O’Byrne Court records cover the documentation from the Petty Sessions or local courts, and the records of the Courts of Crown and Peace, including those of the Courts Exchequer and Chancery. Alongside these, records exist for Justices of the Peace and for the Grand Juries. This lecture looks at the value of these, and other such records, for genealogy and family history research.  It also explores the different sources for these records and supplementary information they can provide.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Session Sandra Doble A catch up with students on how the main course assignment is progressing & homework 2 will be given.

WEEK 7 Thursday, 9th March 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 , and Session 2 8.00 – 9.00

Report Writing Nicola Morris, Sandra Doble & Sandy O’Byrne A double lecture covering aspects of writing a professional genealogy report such as a logical narrative; transcriptions and citations; copyright; handling images; use of language; proofing and editing. This lecture will prepare students for the elements and standards expected in their assignment.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Session Sandy O’Byrne A dedicated question and answer session for students to raise any questions they have about the course so far, their assignments or general genealogy questions of interest to the group.

WEEK 8 Thursday, 16th March 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 International Research Des Murtagh This lecture will focus on researching in the UK, and to a lesser extent, Australia. (USA covered at Foundation level). It will look at information available on the UK National Archives website; using Scotland’s People website and will cover the requirements for a UK citizen applying for an Irish Passport. It will cover transportation records to Australian colonies.

Session 2 8.00 – 9.00 Parliamentary Papers (EPPI) Sandra Doble From 1801 to 1922, Ireland was governed from Parliament in London. In that period of time, a vast amount of paperwork was generated in relation to Irish affairs including bills, reports and commissions of enquiry. This lecture will look at these Enhanced Parliamentary Papers on Ireland and the surprising amount of information of interest to genealogists which they contain.

Session 3 9.00 – 9.30 Tutorial Sandra Doble

WEEK 9 Thursday, 23rd March 2023 An important component of Irish genealogy is understanding what records exist, where they can be found and how to access them. While a great deal of research material can be found online, there is still plenty of material that is held in Irish libraries, archives and repositories.

Alternative 1 Repository Visit Nicola Morris with Sandra Doble

Session 1 - 5.30 to 6.30 (Times to be confirmed) A guided site visit to the National Archives of Ireland, Bishop Street, Dublin 2 including visitor advice and an overview of the genealogy material available to search here. Session 2 – 7.15 to 8.15 (Times to be confirmed) A Visit to Dublin City Library and Archives, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 to look at the resources available to genealogists there.

Alternative 2 – Online Classes

Record Repositories Sandy O’Byrne A presentation on some of the interesting and lesser used resources in the National Library and National Archives together with a look at the holdings of some other valuable repositories,

WEEK 10 HAND IN ASSIGNMENT Thursday, 30th March 2023

Session 1 6.30 – 7.30 Manuscript Sources Máire Mac Conghail As a long-standing member of the Irish Manuscripts Commission, Máire will share her extensive knowledge of manuscript sources with the group.

Session 2 8.00 – 9.00 Early Era Research Paul MacCotter This lecture will cover a selection of interesting resources for those interested in pre-19th century research.

Session 3 8.30 – 9.30 Tutorial Session: Beyond the Course Sandy O’Byrne and Sandra Doble A discussion on making the move to becoming a professional researcher.

Other Notes Two homework assignments to be presented. One based on week 2 lectures (Estate and ROD records) and one on Week 6 (Wills) - 20% of overall course mark Main Assignment 5000 words – 80% of overall course mark