CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE

The Society was established in 1990 to promote the study of genealogy and related  subjects as educational leisure pursuits available to all in the community irrespective of age, prior-learning, background or socio-economic circumstances. The Society promotes an interest in genealogy in Ireland by organising Open Meetings, lectures, workshops, publishing genealogical material and exhibiting at major relevant events in the Country.

As Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, I now invite you to join our Society and to get involved in your personal family research and resolving the queries surrounding your own Irish roots. You owe it to yourself to do this and, of course, you should consider creating a lasting record of your family history research by publishing an article on the family or a particular member of the family in the Society's Annual Journal. Checkout the past issues of the Society's Journal by clicking here.

Our monthly Gazette, Ireland's longest running genealogical monthly newsletter, keeps you up to date with what is happening in Ireland and our annual journal is always a very interesting read.

The Society's on-line shop is currently under construction, however, in the meantime you view the many interesting booklets that we have published by clicking here, the work done in recording cemetery inscriptions and the memorials of the military personnel stationed in Ireland.

A number of the articles and newsletters attached to this website are published in pdf format and will require the appropriate program to view these items. Adobe Reader is free to download here.

Tracing your ancestors has never been easier. The Census of Ireland taken in 1901 and 1911 are now freely available on the website of the National Archives - it's easy to make a start! The Society has successfully campaigned to have the release of the 1926 Census of Ireland included in the new Programme for Government and hopes that the amending legislation will be introduced without delay. We are also delighted that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to amend the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 to provide a proper legal basis for Irish heraldic services since 1943.

On Thursday May 9th 2013, Seán Ó Fearghail, TD, (Fianna Fáil) introduced the Statistics (1926 Census) Bill, 2013, (drafted by the Society) to facilitate the early release of the 1926 Census of Ireland. The Bill provides for a technical amendment of the Statistics Act, 1993, to remove the 1926 Census from the scope of the 100 year rule. This measure only applies to the 1926 Census and NOT the later ones. All with a sincere interest in the development and future of Irish genealogical services are urged to back this Bill. Hopefully, the Government will accept this Bill in the national interest as it will greatly boost Ireland's profile amongst our diaspora. A copy of the Bill is available on the Oireachtas website.

The Society's Archives and Research Centre, An Daonchartlann, is located at the Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Members have full free use of the resources at the Society's Archives & Research and Day Archive Membership is available for others wishing to undertake research at the facility.   The Society's Archives & Research Centre is open every Wednesday from 10.30hrs to 16.30hrs (except 4th Weds. open at 13.00hrs) and on Saturday afternoons from 14.00hrs to 18.00hrs (commencing Sat. 13th Jan. 2013) for visitors without appointment. MAP

(Pictured above: Members assisting visitors with their family history research queries at the Society's Stand at the very successful Back To Our Past event which was held at the RDS, Dublin, from October 12th to 14th 2012. Photo: Aiden Feerick, MGSI, MAPGI)

For information on the Society's exciting group project - Irish DNA Atlas - please checkout the 'Irish DNA Atlas Newsletter'  which clearly outlines the objectives and methodology of this important All-Ireland project.  As Cathaoirleach, I invite all of our members and friends from around the thirty-two counties of Ireland to paricipate in this important and unique academic research project which is conducted in conjunction with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

The Society is on hand to advise groups or organisations planning ancestry related events for the nationwide festival of The Gathering 2013. If your group is thinking of a genealogical project for The Gathering 2013 - talk to the Society - we may be able to offer advice on resources and, of course, useful research tips. For example, groups in the County of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown may well find some of the resources at the Society's Archives & Research Centre of considerable use to any planned genealogical or social history project or event. For information on some of these resources click here.

If you would like the Society to host an information booth at your event during The Gathering 2013 we would be delighted to explore the possibilities with your group - so please get in touch.

So if you wish to start tracing the North American, British, Australasian or other  branches of your family, drop by the Society's Archives & Research Centre for chat on the available on-line resources which may assist you with your overseas research.

The Board of the Society, at its first meeting in 2013, established the GSI SOCIAL CLUB which very successfully hosted the Society's inaugural Annual Dinner at the National Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire on Friday March 8th 2013.

The very successful Weekend Genealogy Courses provided by Ancestor Network Ltd., in conjunction with the Society, continue to attract students from the greater Dublin area and beyond. Ancestor Network Ltd. is the provider of Genealogy Advisory Services to the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland. For further details on these courses click here.

If you are under 25 years of age or if you are a student at a recognised genealogical course, the Society offers a concessionary rate of just €20.00 per annum for STUDENT MEMBERSHIP. For details click here.

The Twitter Newsfeed in the panel to the right provides up-dates from the Society's Facebook Page  page. You can also follow the Society on Twitter on @GenSocIreland

As a totally independent genealogical organisation in Ireland and a registered educational charity, the Society is a strong advocate on behalf of its members on matters of public policy and legislation relating to genealogy, heraldry and heritage matters in Ireland and overseas.

You can download a small brochure on the Society here

Good luck with your research and, of course, I look forward to welcoming you as a Member of "Ireland's most active genealogical organisation".

Pádraic Ingoldsby, MGSI - Cathaoirleach.              

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"WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF GENEALOGY IN IRELAND"