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Hi

I will be visiting Ireland in April.  Does anyone know where or how to access 18th & 19th Century Protestant parish records for Dundalk?  Should I be looking in Dublin or Belfast or is there a resource in Dundalk itself?

My interest is in a Toole family... Patrick Toole born circa 1799.

Thanks

Douglas

Douglas J Knox

Sunday 27th Mar 2016, 03:38AM

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  • Dundalk Church of Ireland's records start in 1729 and are still held by the Church. According to my research guide, they have the only copy. There's normally a fee for accessing them. Do not turn up unannounced. It is essential to make an appointment. The term Protestant does include other denominations eg Presbyterian, so be sure it is the COI records you need.

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Sunday 27th Mar 2016, 09:38AM
  • Thanks Elwyn!

    Yes it is COI that i'm interested in.  When you say "They" - who exactly do you mean?  Is there a specific chuch named Dundalk Church?  Does you guide give a contact email or address?

    Cheers

    Douglas

    Douglas J Knox

    Monday 28th Mar 2016, 01:45AM
  • Hi Douglas

    to my knowledge the records are kept by the Church Representative Body in Dublin, http://ireland.anglican.org/ I have visited on a couple of occassions and they are very helpful, I did not have to make an appointment but as you are travelling far best to email them first. The premises do not have parking if you drive but I am sure you can take a bus from Dublin city centre and I estimate about 50 minute journey but you could take the LUAS (tram) to Dundrum Shopping centre (end of line) and either walk but better to take a short taxi journey. 

    Dublin and Dundalk have an excellent public transport system either by train or bus, allow between €20 and €30 return not counting journey to library. Assuming you are staying in either place, let me know if you want links to transport companies.

    The CoI are slowly putting their records online and have some for county Louth but not Dundalk, the nearest to Dundalk are Dromiskin and Staballan and Kilsaran, it is confusing as though you are in Louth the church records state Armagh as the diocese of Armagh constitutes both Armagh and Louth so the record is listed as say Dromiskin, Armagh. Can you keep up!!!. To add further confusion Louth is now in the Irish Republic and Armagh in Northern Ireland. For records see here http://ireland.anglican.org/information/63 

    THere is a good site dealing with Louth and listing some gravestone inscriptions at http://www.jbhall.freeservers.com/index.html There is a sad story at Wild Goose Lodge murders on the site, an extract from a recently published book which occurred near to Castletown. Oddly most queries for Louth around this time I have answered are from the area between Dundalk and Ardee and south to Castlebellingham

    If you are staying awhile in Louth you should visit http://www.newgrange.com/ The full tour of all passage graves takes about 3 hours and can be done from Dublin or Dundalk again if you are driving or using public transport.

    Also two places you could email for info are the Dundalk Library http://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Services/Library/Genealogy-Research-Sources/ and http://www.louthcoco.ie/en/Services/Archives

    I live about 25 miles south of Dundalk if you want any more info that I could provide locally. By the way the weather will be nice but probably showery so do not expect to tan.

    Regards

    Pat

    St Peters Louth, IrelandXO Volunteer

    Monday 28th Mar 2016, 10:05PM
  • thanks again Elwyn for so much great data.  I've got a car rental so can get around easy enough.  My ancestor is a bit tricky to nail down... I think he was born Catholic and became Anglican for his new life in Canada... but am not sure.  So I am searching for him and his family in both Anglican and Catholic parishes.  He married a Presby... again not sure if in Ireland or in Canada.... so it's mass confusion all around.  He may be Christened in a Catholic parish and married in a Presby or CoI parish.  cheers Douglas

     

    Would you happen to know what cemeteries exisit for Dundalk that were operating in the early 1800s... Catholic and CoI?

     

     

    Douglas J Knox

    Wednesday 6th Apr 2016, 03:30PM
  • Douglas

    a lot of the graveyards are listed in the JB Hall site Louth genealogical Sources. The County Louth Archaeology and History Society have printed year book since 1903 and some of them list headstones form Louth Graves, the only available collection would be in the library in Dundalk and I gave you the link and email previously, There is a separate book of contents printed some years back and you can go in and look through them there. I might be better to contact in advance.

    See the site for CLAHS the contents of their books page appears to be gone. http://www.clahs.com/

    Regards

    Pat

    St Peters Louth, IrelandXO Volunteer

    Thursday 7th Apr 2016, 11:21PM

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