The Story:

During the Irish Civil War, on June 30, 1922, the Public Records Office (PRO) at the Four Courts in Dublin was destroyed by fire. The building was caught in the crossfire of a battle between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty forces, leading to the complete destruction of the building and many of the records it housed.

Impact on Genealogical Research:

The loss of records in this fire was devastating for Irish genealogy. The fire destroyed an extensive collection of documents, including:

1. Census Records: All original census records from 1821 to 1851 were lost. These would have provided detailed information on households, including names, ages, occupations, and relationships, which would have been invaluable for genealogists.

2. Church of Ireland Parish Registers: Many of the parish registers from the Church of Ireland dating back to the 17th century were destroyed. These records contained vital information on baptisms, marriages, and burials.

3. Wills and Testamentary Records: Probate records, including wills and administrations dating back to the early 17th century, were also lost. These documents would have provided details on family relationships, property, and financial status.

4. Land and Estate Records: Various land records, including deeds and leases, which could have traced the ownership and occupation of land, were lost.

5. Court Records: Many court records, including those of the Irish Court of Chancery, Exchequer, and the Four Courts, were destroyed. These would have contained legal disputes, inheritance issues, and other matters involving family history.

How It Hinders Research:

The destruction of these records creates significant gaps in genealogical research, especially for anyone tracing their ancestry before the mid-19th century. Without these vital records, it becomes much harder to:

1. Establish family connections before the 19th century.

2. Track property ownership and land transactions.

3. Confirm details through wills, court cases, or church records.

4. Use early census data to trace families and their movements.

Coping with the loss:

Despite this devastating loss, researchers can still trace their Irish ancestry through other surviving records:

1. Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864): A property survey listing heads of households, which serves as a census substitute.

2. Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1837): These list individuals who paid tithes to the Church of Ireland, another useful substitute.

3. Church Records: Catholic parish records often survived as they were kept locally, not in the Public Records Office. These include baptismal, marriage, and burial records.

4. Civil Registration: Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1864 (1845 for Protestant marriages) and is a critical resource.

5. Estate Records: Some estate records survived in private collections or other archives.

6. Local Archives and Libraries: Some records and transcripts were copied or summarized before the fire and can be found in local or overseas repositories.

While the 1922 fire was a significant loss for Irish genealogy, by using alternative resources and being creative in research strategies, it is still possible to uncover much about your Irish ancestors.