Finding Your Irish Ancestors in FamilySearch's Census Records

Finding Your Irish Ancestors in FamilySearch's Census Records

This guide will help you search for your Irish ancestors using census records available on FamilySearch.

Steps to Search Irish Census Records:

1. Navigate to the Search Page: Go to the FamilySearch website and select 'Search' in the navigation menu.
2. Choose Records: From the Search dropdown, click on 'Records'. This will take you to the main record search interface.
3. Enter Search Criteria:
   • In the search fields, enter the information you know about your ancestor. This might include their first name, last name, and an approximate birth year.
   • To focus your search on Irish records, add a location. In the 'Location' field, type 'Ireland'.
4. Filter by Record Type:
   • After entering the basic information, scroll down to the 'Record Type' section.
   • Look for a 'Census' option. If available, select it to narrow your search to census records.
5. Initiate the Search: Click the 'Search' button to start your search.
6. Review Search Results:
   • Examine the list of results. Look for entries that match the information you have about your ancestor.
   • Pay attention to details such as names, dates, locations, and family members listed in the search snippets.
7. View the Record Details:
   • If you find a promising match, click on the name or the record link to view the full record details.
   • The record details page may include a transcription of the census information, and sometimes an image of the original document.
8. Evaluate the Information:
   • Carefully review the information on the record to determine if it pertains to your ancestor.
   • Check for consistency with other records and information you have.
9. Attach to Family Tree: If the record matches your ancestor, attach it to their profile in your FamilySearch family tree. This helps preserve the information and makes it easier for others to find.