Tracing your Irish ancestors can be a very enjoyable way to spend a holiday in Ireland. Doing the research yourself will give you a better understanding of Ireland’s past history and present culture and with a bit of luck you could find your long lost cousins. Here are a few hints on the groundwork to trace your County Monaghan ancestors. County Monaghan Library & Genealogy service have also put together a handy guide to help you trace your ancestors in county Monaghan that can be accessed HERE
As a starting point you need to know:
If the date of a birth, marriage or death is known more details can be found. A system for state registration of births, deaths and marriages began in Ireland in 1864. Records of all births, marriages and deaths occurring after this date should be preserved in the Office of the Registrar General, Custom House Dublin. The records for County Monaghan can be obtained from The Registrar, Births, Marriages and Deaths, North Eastern Health Board, Rooskey, Monaghan – Telephone 047 30444.
Information on Births Marriages and Deaths prior to 1864 can be found in parish registers. The surviving Catholic Registers for the period up to 1880 are available on microfilm in the National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 – Telephone 01 6030200.
The registers of the Church of Ireland for the period up to 1870 are Public Records. Some are preserved in the Public Records Offices while others remain in the custody of the local clergy. The Public Records Office is based at 8 -11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 – Telephone 01 6711968
If your ancestors were Presbyterian, The Presbyterian Historical Society, Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 6DW, may be able to help – Telephone 04890 322284. The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, 66 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast BT9 6NY, may also be of assistance – Telephone 048 90 251318.
*There is a nominal charge for a Genealogy query, which can be submitted via the website.
Monaghan County Library, Clones Local History & Genealogical Services
Catríona Lennon
Tel: +353 (0) 47 74713 / 74712
Email: clennon@monaghancoco.ie
Cassandra Hand Centre, Clones
Tel: +353 (0) 47 20626 / 52997
Carrickmacross Workhouse
Tel: +353 (0) 42 9664540
Monaghan Ancestral Research,
6 Tully, Monaghan (Postal Enquiries Only)
Monaghan Reunite Genealogy Project
www.countymonaghanfund.com
Clogher Historical Society
www.clogherhistory.ie