Genealogy Chat

I'm afraid I've been spoiled by browsing through the Censuses on-line and have done pretty well in researching my Norfolk ancestors. Now I intend to follow my father's family from Derry. I know where they were living in 1908 when my father was born. I would be really greatful for any tips about searching the Irish Census - by snail mail I would imagine, as it is impossible for me to travel over there. I understand the census will be online later in the year - is that right? Meg

Only the 1901 and 1911 censuses are in existence, earlier ones were destroyed. If you put 'Irish census' in the search box you will find all threads relating to this, including one about the online version coming soon. nell

Thanks Little Nell. I'm enjoying scrolling through all the previous messages - and learning a lot! Meg

Hi if you've got your fathers birth certificate it should give you the townland he was born in. With that you can order the 1911 census into you local LDS family history centre. You can look at the catalogue on 'familysearch' to find the right one. Films cost £2.70 for a month to view sometimes you can get away with only ordering one film but sometimes you'll have to order several and its always worth noting any families with the parents surname just in case. If you find the right 1911 census, then you can order the 1901 (there tend to be less films than the 1911 as there is only one sheet per household, the 1911 has two although the first is really just a cover sheet giving townland, parish etc but it does list the head of household who may not be on the census sheet if she/he was absent on census night.) Teresa

Thanks Teresa. I will have a look on the LDS site. On my father's birth certificate it gives 'Derry No 2' as the district, but there is no mention of 'townland' as such. Is this enough? Thanks again for your help. Meg

Hi Teresa Just had a look on LDS. Only seems to give 1901 Census for Derry - and even that has no film notes. So, guess I'm unlucky. Thanks anyway. Meg

Hi I'm not sure if Derry/Londonderry are the same. IF it is follow this link http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/printing/titledetailsprint.asp?titleno=555836 It seems to have A LondonDerry Urban No 2 census for 1911 unfortunately on 4 films If that doesn't work one film number I think you need may be 1840300 then click on item 1 or 2 If you put that into the film number search and click on the HERE at the bottom of page where it says 'For a printable version of this record click here then click your browser's Print button.' Teresa IF NOT ignore message !!!! Teresa

Hi Teresa Brilliant! From your link I found Film 1840308 which includes Creggan Road for the 1911 Census. This is where my father was born in 1908, so the info will be really useful. What I didn't know was what Parish Creggan Road was in and apparently it was in Templemore. So I should be Ok now. I will get in touch with the Family History place next week - I do know there is one locally - and order it. I can't thank you enough for all your time and effort. Thank you also Ann. I did know that Londonderry and Derry were the same place, but wasn't sure how interchangeable they were. Best wishes, Meg

Hi Meg, glad I could help. The LDS have all sorts of things but you can't always find it in their catalogue. Its also worth checking the Ulster Covenant (from 1912 list of signatures sometimes addresses, if your ancestors signed it) Just google the name and you'll find the link. You can enter just the address on the search page and see what comes up. Teresa

hi im from derry and the stokes have always been here they are a really big family im in ayr scotland now but i am going home on friday

You may be able to find the townland here: http://www.failteromhat*com/griffiths.htm (replace asterisk with dot)

Thank you Patricia for your information. Stokes is actually my married name. I am researching my father's family - McDaid. I looked at the site you suggested Mary, thank you. I haven't got back to the 1850s yet - I'm still working from my father's birth in 1908 - but I have bookmarked it, as I am sure it will come in useful later. I believe now that Creggan Road in Derry was in the Templemore Parish. If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me. Do I need the Townland as well? Or is that Derry City? Meg