Archive of the Month02 Sep 19

Parish Record Accessions to the Library During 2018 & the updated List of Parish Registers

by Dr Susan Hood

The colour–coded List of Parish Registers is again the focus of September’s Archive of the Month. The List originated through collaboration with the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) resulting in the production of a simple–to–follow List of Church of Ireland Parish Registers, to account for which parish registers survive, and where they are held – whether by the Library, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) or in local custody with the additional benefit of live links to online copies and transcripts.

The re–launch of this resource was covered here; when it was widely acclaimed by the research community. Additionally the List is kept up to date by RCB Library staff who have additionally enhanced its value by uploading the detailed Library hand–list of each parish collection in its custody, thereby enabling researchers to both view and download the Library collection master lists as PDFs. When a new collection is received or additional materials are added to existing collections, the lists are updated and re–loaded thus keeping the List accurate and up to date.

As and from September 2019, there are some 1,159 collections of parish registers in the Library’s custody, with their summary details in individual hand–lists all viewable off the colour–coded List.

The Library is proactive in encouraging local clergy to transfer non–current records from their local provenance to the Library’s permanent and secure centralised custody. To date during 2019, the Library has received records from 42 different parishes, island–wide, while last year, during 2018, an unprecedented 82 collections were transferred to the Library from local custody, many of them from parishes that had not previously transferred collections before and also including a number of parishes in Northern Ireland, which is a most welcome development. 

To enable the research community to focus on some of the recent acquisitions, the summary of the intake for 2018 is listed by parish group below, highlighting the extent of the materials that have been processed and listed. A similar list will be made available for 2019 at a later stage, once it has been reported to General Synod in the Library’s annual report.

Please note that the inclusion of material in this list does not necessarily imply that it is available to researchers. Parish registers (of baptism, marriage and burial) are not subject to any access restrictions, but vestry minutes and other categories of records are subject to 40–year closure, while materials containing personal or sensitive information are normally closed for 100 years. Parishes are organised by union alphabetically, including their diocese, with related parishes in each union listed below the main parish.

Ardagh Union
Copies of original photographs of the rectors, for Ardagh parish, 1961–2016; Kilcommick , 1917–2016; Shrule, 1945–2016; and Tashinny, 1890–2016; together with notes on the final years of Moydow church which closed for worship in 1987.
From Canon A. W. Kingston, Ballymahon, Co. Longford

Bilboa (Leighlin)
Preachers’ book, 1877–1881

Blackrock (Dublin)
Act of Remembrance Service Sheets for Remembrance Sunday, featuring full biographical details of each person commemorated on the parish war memorial as compiled by Michael Lee, historian, 2015–2018; and specific editions of the parish newsletter including reflections on aspects of the Great War, for the centenary of the First World War, 2014–18.
From Michael Lee, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Cloughjordan (Killaloe)
Cloughjordan: Register of baptisms, 1887–1997; Register of marriages 1859–2007; Vestry Minute Book, 1976–1998; Index of surnames including those for Modreeny and Borrisokane, 19th–20th century
Aglishcloghane: Preachers’ books, 1882–1947
Aghnameadle: Combined register of baptisms 1834–1946; marriages 1834–1844 and burials 1834–2000; Register of baptisms, 1942–1977; Registers of marriages 1848–1958; Preachers’ book, 1913–1931
Ardcroney: Preachers’ book, 1894–1902

Ballingarry: Register of marriages, 1961–2007; Register of vestrymen, 1874–1951
Borrisnafarney: Register of marriages, 1846–1952; Account book, 1887–1917 & Preachers’ books, 1930–1978
Borrisokane: Registers of marriages, 1845–2007; Vestry minute books, 1820–1980; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1947; Account book, 1871–1905; Preachers’ books, 1883–1973; Sunday School Register, 1911–1922
Finnoe: Vestry minute books, 1817–1922

Modreeny: Architectural drawings including planning permission documentation with further extensive plans of the church to accommodate new fire exit and disabled access, 2013–14; Graveyard Plan, late 20th century with copy index of graveyard inscriptions, 1689–1977
Terryglass: Preachers’ books 1881–1923

Derrykeighan (Connor)
Copy vestry minute book, 1802–1826; Deed of conveyance for site of church, 1828 & deed of consecration for church and churchyard, 1831.
From the Revd AA Johns, Armoy, Co. Antrim

Donagheady (Derry)
Register of baptisms 1925–2001; Registers of marriages 1953–2004; Vestry minute books 1754–2004; Registers of vestrymen 1870–1949; Account books 1898–1963; Preachers’ books 1855–1997; Register of church members 1926–1937; Cess book 1767–1804; Confirmation registers 1872–1935; Sunday School registers 1869–1964; Miscellaneous papers extracted from the vestry minute books, 1754–2004.

Drumlease (Kilmore)
Vestry minute book, 1970–1996; Account Books, 1870–1906; Preachers’ book, 1875–1878.

Drumcliffe Union (Killaloe)
Drumcliffe (Ennis): Indexes of surnames in registers in the union of Drumcliffe, 1740–1911; Combined registers of baptisms, marriages & burials 1740–1845; Registers of baptisms, 1846–1916; Registers of marriages 1845–2008; Register of burials 1871–1990; Confirmation lists 1856–1866; Vestry minute books, 1827–1879 & 1934–1983; Account book 1879–1975; Miscellaneous loose accounts, 1784–85.

Kilfarboy: Registers of marriages 1968–2008; Register of burials 1911–1974.
Kilfenora: Register of baptisms 1879–1993; Register of burials 1878–1965.
Kilfieragh: Register of baptisms, 1879–1907; Account Book, 1951–1970; Preachers’ books, 1865–2017; Volume containing contents of the church at Kilkee transferred to Drumcliffe parish church, 2015.
Kilfinaughty: Register of baptisms, 1878–1982; Register of burials, 1870–1990
Kilmanaheen: Register of burials, 1886–1981.
Kilnaboy: Register of baptisms 1877–1947 (including confirmation lists 1877–1937); Register of burials, 1878–1989; Account book, 1870–1961; Preachers’ books 1947–1968.
Kilnasoolagh: Combined register of baptisms 1843–1993; marriages 1837–1844 and burials 1843–1991; Register of vestrymen, 1963–1977.
Kilrush: Combined register of baptisms 1842–62; marriages 1842–45 and burials 1842–1988; Register of baptisms 1862–2000; Registers of marriages, 1845–1953; Preachers’ book, 1965–1989.

Drumgoon (Kilmore)
Vestry minutes 1810–11; Account book 1804–1817; Preachers’ books 1933–1997; School records 1883; 1885; 1891; 1970–1984; Miscellaneous loose papers, including plans and detailed bill of quantities for the building of a new rectory, 1967–68, 1895–2002.

Eglish (Meath)
Vestry minute book, 1814–1872

Greystones (Glendalough)
Photographs, scrapbooks, minutes, captains’ reports, parents’ association papers, and other miscellaneous materials concerning the Greystones parish company of the Boys’ Brigade, established in 1979, and its annual inspection and display, 1979–1995.
From Louise Swaine, Greystones, Co. Wicklow.

Heyenstown (Armagh)
Preachers’ book, 1974–2018

Killiney, Holy Trinity (Dublin)
Orders of service, July–October 2017; Parish magazine (‘The Obelisk’) September–October 2017 issue.

Killiskey (Glendalough)
Marriage register, 1994–2010; Vestry minute books, 1894–1996; Statements of annual parochial accounts, 1977–1994; Materials relating to the 200th anniversary of the consecration of the church, including sermon preached by the Archbishop of Dublin; invitation card and printed catalogue for the flower festival, September–October 2017.

Killybegs (Raphoe)
Preachers’ book, 1844–1855

Lisbellaw (Clogher)
Registers of baptisms 1877–2000; Registers of marriages 1845–2005; Register of vestrymen 1870–1993; Miscellaneous loose papers 1910–1944.

Londonderry Christ Church (Derry)
Parochial cash book, 1908–1935

Mallow Union (Cork)

Mallow: Combined register of baptisms, 1871–1862, marriages 1838–1881 and burials 1780–1862 with Sunday School accounts, 1788–1793; Register of baptisms, 1863–1891; Registers of marriages 1845–2006; Register of burials, 1863–1910; Typescript of entries in the parish registers, 1776–1812; Vestry minute books, 1756–1925; Account book, 1968–1978; Preachers’ books, 1916–2016; Miscellaneous deeds, 1819–late 20th century; Map and survey of ground in the town of Mallow, 1825 and undated seating plan of the church; Register of Temperance Society members, 1870–1890; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1871–1968.
Ballyclough: Registers of baptisms, 1901–1932; Registers of marriages, 1845–1970; Register of burials, 1902–1976; Vestry minute books, 1790–1901; Preachers’ books, 1909–1971
Ballyhay: Combined registers of baptisms, marriages and burials, 1726–1951; Register of baptisms, 1953–1959; Register of marriages, 1845–1922; Vestry minute books, 1772–1925; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1923; Preachers’ book, 1953–1959; Register of church members, 1870–1978; Churchwardens’ book, 1906–1925
Ballyhooly: Preachers’ book, 1878–1900
Buttevant: Registers of marriages, 1845–1973; Vestry minute book, 1833–1958, Register of vestrymen, 1926–1936; Preachers’ book, 1950–1975
Carrigamleary: Register of marriages, 1848–1871; Register of burials, 1848–1881
Castlemagner: Register of marriages, 1848–1939; Preachers’ book, 1894–1977
Castletownroche: Registers of marriages, 1845–1994; Vestry minute books, 1828–1967; Register of vestrymen, 1875–1976; Account books, 1922–1973; Preachers’ books, 1875–2009; Registers of church members, 1836; 1895–1938; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1861–1969
Churchtown: Register of marriages, 1846–1858
Clonmeen: Register of baptisms, 1889–1917; Register of marriages, 1848–1862; Register of burials, 1892–1919; Preachers’ book, 1914–1934
Clenor: Register of marriages, 1846–1880; Preachers’ books, 1870–1881
Clonfert (Newmarket): Combined register of baptisms, 1876–1930 and burials 1876–1977 with confirmations for 1915; Register of marriages, 1846–1941; Vestry minute book, 1870–1884; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1926; Account book, 1902–1922; Preachers’ books, 1859–1941

Doneraile: Combined register of baptisms, 1730–1894; marriages, 1742–1793 and burials, 1743–1755; Registers of marriages, 1845–2005; Vestry minute book, 1782–1852; Preachers’ books, 1867–1969; Plan of graveyard, undated; Crone Charity account book, 1905–1955
Donoughmore: Register of marriages, 1845–1887; Vestry minute book, 1868–1900; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1900; Preachers’ book, 1901–1927
Drishane: Combined register of baptisms, 1877–1920 and burials, 18780–1977; Register of marriages, 1845–1890
Dromtariffe: Combined register of baptisms, 1879–1979 and burials, 1869–1969; Register of marriages, 1849–1913; Vestry minute book, 1823–1926; Register of vestrymen, 1880–1926; Preachers’ books, 1878–1977; Rent charge book, 1868–1871
Farraghy: Preachers’ book, 1919–1939
Kanturk: Register of baptisms, 1878–1944; Register of marriages, 1845–1938; Register of burials, 1879–1976; Vestry minute books, 1875–1971; Preachers’ books, 1871–1972, 2005
Kilbolane: Register of marriages, 1846–1918
Kilbrin & Liscarroll: Register of marriages, 1845–1898 with index

Kilshannig: Combined register of baptisms, 1731–1855, marriages, 1731–1846 and burials, 1731–1940; Register of baptisms, 1855–1972; Registers of marriages, 1845–1952; Vestry minute book, 1731–1952; Vestry minute book, 1731–1956; Preachers’ books, 1848–1977; Tithe Appolotment book, undated but no later than mid–19th century.
Monanimy: Register of marriages, 1843–1879; Vestry minute book, 1812–1880; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1880; Preachers’ books, 1836–1876; Tithe Applotment book, 1832–1833; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1851–1872

Mourne Abbey: Copy entries of baptisms, 1836–1884 and burials, 1846–1883; Register of marriages, 1847–1937; Vestry minute book, 1812–1879; Register of vestrymen, 1870–1884; Preachers’ books, 1851–1978
Nathlash: Register of baptisms, 1844–1868; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1866–1886.
Rahan: Register of marriages, 1847–1942; Register of burials, 1881–1886; Tithe Applotment book, 1828–1833, with loose vestry minutes 1834–1861; Account book, 1911–1953; Preachers’ books, 1909–1930
Tullylease: Register of marriages, 1860 only
Wallstown: Vestry minute book, 1827–1837

Moville (Raphoe)

Moville Upper: Combined register of baptisms, 1804–1875; marriages 1804–1844; burials 1812–1983 and banns, 1814–1833; Registers of marriages, 1845–1985; Account book, 1870–1893; Preachers’ books, 1884–1965; Register of church members, 1870–1942; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1846–1940.
Moville Lower: Registers of marriages, 1845–2011; Vestry minute book, 1783–1918; Account book, 1945–1954; Register of church members, 1820; Tithe Book, 1830–1832; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1866–1940; and undated photographs.
Culdaff: Registers of baptisms 1875–2016; Registers of marriages 1845–2002; Vestry minute books 1858–1988; Register of vestrymen 1870–1911; Preachers’ books 1879–1991.
Donagh: Register of baptisms 1875–2017; Registers of marriage, 1846–1956; Register of burials, 1878–2017; Vestry minute books, 1782–1933; Register of vestrymen, 1873–1952; Account books, 1871–1955; Preachers’ books, 1889–2003; Confirmation registers, 1899–1966; Sunday School registers, 1900–1957; Church heating plan, undated; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1980–1965.
Gleneely: Registers of marriages 1959–1987; Vestry minute books 1881–1897; Registers of vestrymen 1870–1991; Preachers’ books 1880–1980.

Portarlington Union (Kildare)
Portarlington: Register of baptisms, 1877; Vestry minute books, 1888–1979; Preachers’ book, 1959–1972; School ledger account book, 1918–1942; graveyard fund cash book, 1963–1984; other account books 1950–1966; printed annual church accounts, 1935; account books and printed annual accounts for Portarlington Union, 1930–2004; and miscellaneous items of correspondence extracted from the minute books, 1944–1979.
Ballykean: Vestry minute books, 1829–1881; Preachers’ books, 1872–1972.
Cloneyhurke: Preachers’ book, 1941–1969.
Lea: Vestry minute books, 1870–1960; Register of vestrymen, 1880–1957; notice about the annual Easter Vestry, 1834

Skreen Union (Killala)
Skreen: Index of marriages, 1846–2005; Registers of baptisms, 1877–2001; Registers of marriages, 1846–2005; Registers of burials, 1877–1999; Vestry minute book, 1936–1982; Register of vestrymen, 1891–1950; Account books, 1870–1932; Preachers’ books, 1932–2000; Confirmations, 1950–85; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1934–2018.
Dromard: Index of baptisms and burials, 1895–1996; Register of baptisms, 1895–1996; Registers of marriages, 1845–2000; Register of burials, 1895–1996; Preachers’ book, 1937–1960; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1897–1998.
Kilmacshalgan: Index of baptisms, marriages and burials, 1880–2002; Register of baptisms, 1880–2001; Register of marriages, 1846–2002; Register of burials, 1883–2000; Vestry minutes and accounts, 1880–1913; Register of vestrymen, 1880–2000; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1908–2000

St Bartholomew (Dublin)
Papers of William (Bill) Magowan, member of the Select Vestry, including copies of minutes and related correspondence, 1980–85; St Bartholomew’s Choir materials, including miscellaneous printed items such as concert and carol concert fliers, posters and programmes, reviews and other materials, 1941–2002; Two membership registers, 1962–1979; Miscellaneous correspondence and minutes, much compiled by Bobby Bardon, relating to choir activities, concerts and tours, 1981–2000; and copies of the Choir Newsletter: “St Bartholomew’s Choir”, 1995–2004 and later “Music @ St Bartholomew’s”, 2009–2018; Miscellaneous photographs of the choir, and of the church interior, 20th century; Plan of the electricity system, including floodlights, by A.G. Bruty Ltd, 1963; Orders of service, 1997–2000, and other undated printed items.

Additionally, materials relating to the history of the parish received by Dr Kenneth Milne, Church of Ireland historiographer and author of the parish history, as follows: Sermon preached by Archbishop George Otto Simms, (1910–91) Archbishop of Dublin, 1957–69 (who had previously served as curate, 1935–38, during the parish’s Festival of Liturgy and Mission, 1962, on the contribution of St Bartholomew’s to liturgy and worship; additional notes supplied by the Archbishop on the history of the parish during the ministry of Canon W.A. Simpson (vicar, 1918–51 ) in the archbishop’s hand; a letter from Canon C.B. Moss (curate, 1920–24) to the Revd Robert Warner (vicar, 1957–64) outlining his memories of parish during his time as curate which coincided with ‘The Troubles’, 1920–24; and a letter of Mrs Maud A. Squires about the history of St Bartholomew’s School, 1963.

Taughboyne Union (Raphoe)
Burt: Combined register of baptisms 1829–1856, marriages 1829–1844 and burials 1829–1941; Registers of baptisms 1856–1972; Registers of marriages 1845–1972; Preachers’ book 1969–1972; Volume entitled “Memoirs Relative to Burt Congregation commencing from February 14th 1802”, which was likely compiled by the rector, and includes copies of baptismal and marriage entries 1802–1828, sums collected for the poor, including names, 1802–1813 and vestry minutes 1810–1922.

Desertegney: Register of baptisms 1877–1966; Register of marriages 1848–1929; Register of burials, 1879–1981; Vestry minute book, 1869–1947.
Inch: Register of baptisms 1958–1951; Register of marriages, 1846–1946; Register of burials, 1868–1965; Preachers’ books 1910–1958; Miscellaneous loose papers, 1922.

Templemore Union (Cashel)
Kilfithmone: Vestry minute book, 1870–2009.
Templemore: Combined register of baptisms 1822–27; regimental marriages 1826–27 and burials 1826–27, with minutes, accounts and a list of subscribers of Templemore Dispensary, 1807–13.
Thurles: Register of baptisms 1877–1999; Vestry minute book, 1903–2011 and marriage notice book, 1904–23.

The colour–coded List of Parish Registers which includes the 2019 accessions to date is available on this link