Irish Land Records
Irish Land Records
by Roberta Gaynor
A. Registry of Deeds
1. It was established for the protection of the purchases of land. It
began recording deeds 25 March 1708 and continues to the present. The
Registry is housed at: Registry of Deeds; Henrietta Street; Dublin
Ireland.
2. The records contain deeds of sale, mortgages, transfer leases,
conveyances, and sometimes wills.
3. There are two index series to these records. The Names Index to
Grantors (Seller) and the Lands Index. The LDS Genealogical Society has
both of these on microfilm.
4. The LDS Genealogical Society also has what is called "Transcript of
Memorials of Deeds" on microfilm. These are detailed abstracts of the
original documents.
B. Estate Records
1. Most of the land in Ireland was held by large land owners. The records
of their estates can be very helpful.
2. These records contain the following typed documents: Rent Rolls, leases,
rent ledgers, maps, wage books, land agents, notebooks, etc.
3. A few estate records are available at LDS Genealogical Society. Many at
Public Record Offices in Dublin and Belfast. Many are still in local
custody. "Analecta Hibernica" Volumes 15, 20, and 25 (941.5 B2ah)
contains a "Survey of Documents in Private Keeping".
C. Griffiths Valuation
This was a survey made by the government to determine the amount of tax
that each rate should pay to support the upkeep of the poor.
Arranged by Poor Law Union it lists the following information:
name of lessor, each occupies or tenant, townland or city, parish, holdings
and tax. These are all available at LDS Genealogical Society. The National
Library of Ireland has prepared a surname index arranged by parish and
county.
