The Irish Genealogical Research Society recently launched a new database-the Early Irish Birth Index. While small-it contains over 5,000 records of alternative sources (census records, Registry of Deeds' memorials, newspapers etc.) for births in Ireland, the number of names exceeds 10,400. The surname-only search is free to the public. The full index is open only to members of the Irish Genealogical Research Society. The surname-only index will tell you how many entries for the surname-it will not provide all details in the matched records. This was announced at RootsTech earlier this week. To access the surname-only index go to: http://www.irishancestors.ie/search/irish_bmd/count_index.php The Irish Genealogical Research Society also has an Early Irish Marriage Index from 1660-1863 with over 66,000 marriages in the database representing over 147,000 brides, grooms and relatives. (civil registration began in 1864). That index is open to the public. Only the county or country of the bride and groom is shown, although the original record may provide further details. To view that index go to: http://www.irishancestors.ie/?page_id=1926. The Society is working on an Early Irish Death Index to be released later in the year. Chuck Weinstein Bellport, NY Cmw521@earthlink.net