County Longford Family History

How to Research Co. Longford Ancestors

This page is devoted to methods of research - for details of actual resources, go to that page.

BEFORE THE FAMILY IS FOUND

1. Find the location to Parish or Townland (see hints on FAQs)

2. If after 1864 and a birth, marriage or death date known, get civil registration form

3. If left before 1864 but after 1840, check Griffiths Valuation Indexes for individuals, or possibly for the family name.

4. If before 1840 but after 1824, start with the tithe applotments

5. If before 1824, check resources such as flax list (1796), voters list (1790), older parish registers, and other sources - check especially longfordancestry.com

AFTER THE FAMILY IS FOUND
6. Check the parish register to find relations and other related families. RC registers (except Killashee) are transcribed and on film at LDS. Church of Ireland registers are likely at the Church Archive in Dublin. Mostrim is in local care in Edgeworthstown.
7. With tithe applotments, and Griffiths Valuation, nail down the location to townland. If family is present at Griffiths, one can nail down the particular land parcel.
8. With land parcel nailed, or even just townland, subscribe even for a short time to Irish Origins in order to download the Valuation Maps (1:12,500) that list on them the parcel numbers that correspond with Griffiths Valuation. Note that in some cases the maps do have changed numbers, referring to a later rendition of the maps.)
9. Check miscellaneous resources that may pertain starting with those at Longford Ancestry.
10. Deeds may exist for your ancestor. These require a systematic approach - know the townland, then work through the LDS indexes by townland. Deed books (transcriptions) can then be ordered from LDS, or copies of the original deeds - with signatures! - can be ordered from the Dublin office on Henrietta Street.
11. With information on location, try various forums and enquire of individuals (including myself). Without location information, it is difficult to assist. With that information, much can be accomplished.
12. Try the UK National Archives (Kew) Index for military pensions. A hint on how to use - in the search boxes put the surname of interest AND (AND must be capitals) Longford. In the dates put 1760 - 1860, and in the lower box put WO (that stands for War Office). Without the latter there will be great mixture of superflouous documents. If dates are not put in, it includes WW1 records).
13. Be absolutely sure you are keeping track of sources you have checked. There are so many.
14. After the above, check other resources. These can include the 1796 Flax List, estate records (check LDS films for several, including King-Harman and Kingstone's Mosstown Estate), a review of resources on Longford Ancestry. If the family was prosperous, remember to check Trinity College Graduates, and also graveyards transcribed on Longford Ancestry.