Tools to Navigate Your Irish Ancestry
Tracing your roots across the Atlantic or through centuries of archives can be a complex journey. To help you navigate the unique landscape of Irish records, we’ve curated a collection of foundational guides and resources. Whether you are just starting your search or trying to break through a genealogical ‘brick wall’, these tools are designed to help you with your research.
The Land Divisions Guide
Understanding how Ireland was divided, from the four traditional Provinces down to over 60,000 ancient Townlands, is essential for any researcher. This guide explains the critical differences between Civil and Ecclesiastical Parishes and why District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) are the key to unlocking the 1901 and 1911 Censuses.
The DNA Research Log
If you have ever stared at your DNA match list and thought, “Where do I even begin?”, this tool is for you. I created the Forever Dear DNA Research Log to help me sort through my own family branches without getting overwhelmed.
Keep a running list of common ancestors and shared parishes, separate your branches clearly, log centimorgan (cM) lengths to focus on your most promising leads all on one spreadsheet.
Please note: This log is a Google Sheets template. You’ll need a free Google account to save your own copy and start logging your matches!
