Irish Ancestry Branch

The IAB was set up in 1994 by Margaret Thurston, as a special interest group to cater for, and draw together M&LFHS members who have some Irish Ancestry.

Meetings are held on the second Monday in each month (except for Bank Holidays or as announced in the IAB pages of the Manchester Genealogist). Meetings start at 1.30 P.M. and are held in the Library at Clayton House, Piccadilly, Manchester.

We have occasional speakers on subjects relative to the group's interests, workshops, discussions and advice sessions are also popular.

During March 1996, a group trip to visit the National Library and record Office in Dublin was organised by Margaret Thurston.

The IAB has its own section in the 'Manchester Genealogist', and any articles, descriptions of research successes, or failures, or sources of information or literature of general Irish Family interest are welcome.

Membership of the M&LFHS is world wide and interest in Irish Ancestry by members whose ancestors lived in the Manchester area at some time is growing daily. A number of projects to help make information more easily available are always in progress.

1861 Census of Manchester

The creation of a surname index of all persons noted as from Ireland is in hand. 1861 was chosen for this index since large parts of the 1851 census are unreadable.

Indexes have already been published for the Ancoats, Ardwick and Deansgate areas and further volumes are in preparation

Several church records, at present Baptismal registers, are being copied and alphabetical surname indexes provided. Three volumes for St. Edmunds R.C. Miles Platting are on the Library shelves.

View details of Irish Ancestry Branch Publications

View details of books about Irish ancestry research