In a message dated 02/12/2010 20:41:01 GMT Standard Time, sharon-j@bigpond.net.au writes: With a bit of research I have found my GEORGE PHAIR dying in 1869, however there seems to be 20 films for this particular year. Is there a way to identify approximately which film he would be on. The church record via Roots Ireland states he died 27 April, however other information is very thin indeed. Sharon, If you look at RECORD SEARCH PILOT on familysearch.org, you can find the death in the indexes: This will give you the Volume and page number you need to obtain the correct film. I presume you have his death at age 54 in 1869? In this case (if it's the same George) it's TUAM volume 9 page 356. The film you need is 0101188. VERY important - this is NOT the film number given on the PILOT site, which refers to the INDEX film number only. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx There is indeed a system to the BMD indexes and records in Ireland. I have copied (below) from an earlier posting of mine to this list in 2004. It should explain the system, and how to find the correct film. If you are still confused, let me know... Cathy The LDS have filmed Irish birth records (as opposed to indexes) from 1864-80,1900-1913,1930-55 Marriage 1845-1870 (1845-64 non-catholic) and Death records 1864-70 They have filmed all the birth, marriage and death indexes,from 1864 (1845 non-catholic marriage ) On their website,they have ....entered Irish birth records up to 1880. The LDS catalogue lists all the Irish film numbers,by quarter year volumes. To find someone in Galway,you need volumes 4,9,14,19,depending on time of year,up to 1878: after 1878 just volume 4 and the appropriate time frame ( allowing up to 3 months to register the birth). Sometimes you will see separate film numbers for the same period,usually JUNE labelled 4-1,and 4-2. You will always need 4-1 EXCEPT for Tuam Registration District, which will be in volume 4-2. ( more children are born in Spring,so the JUNE volumes had to be split to accomodate the excess.Registration districts are entered alphabetically(not by county) and the split comes at "S"- Scariff is in 4-1 and Swineford in 4-2.) I have found that many parents took the whole 3 months to register the birth,so a child born in October one year might be found in the March volume for the next year. Also,when a fine was imposed for late registration,parents simply lied about the date of birth,with the result a child could be baptized before it was born!