By coincidence, a couple of days before Cathy posted this message, and inspired by a message she posted a few months ago (which went into my To-Do list), and being unable to go to Dublin in the next few months to do the research personally (gnashing of teeth), I checked out the Valuation Office research services on their website. Not being able to find all the info I needed, I wrote to them and rapidly got the following reply. It might interest some listers so, despite its length, here it is (sorry that the table got hacked up in its porting from a Word document to this mail). Pádraig (the Paddy that was) Read on............. Valuation Office Ireland archive research. Our office is located in Dublin city centre. The street address is: Valuation Office Ireland , Block 2, Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1. Information for our personal callers is available at the end of this document. The following is a brief guide to our services (archive research) for our email/ postal customers. It is laid out in a question and answer format. 1. What research information do we hold in our archives ? The Valuation Office Ireland holds records relating to the twenty-six counties of the Republic of Ireland. The records consist of a continous series of books and maps dating between the 1830s and the present day. The books contain details on property from its first valuation and the maps plot the extent of the property. These records are unique and are most useful for genealogy/family research because of the information contained, complete coverage, large volume and continuity. Records relating to Northern Ireland are not held in this office and further information can be obtained from: Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, 66 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast BT9 6NY, Northern Ireland. 2. What records are most useful for family research/genealogy ? (a). Field books: These records date from the 1830s approximately and are essentially details of land surveys. The information contained refers to soil/land type but in certain cases details of occupiers of the property are noted. Records are in manuscript format and are arranged by county/barony/parish/townland. (b) Griffiths Primary Valuation: These records are details of the primary valuation and date from 1846 to 1852. Records are in printed format and are arranged by county/barony/parish/townland. (c) Cancelled books (archive Valuation Lists): These records date from the mid 1850s and are the continuation of Griffiths Primary Valuation. The records show lot number, rated occupier, immediate lessor, description of property, land area, and rateable valuation. Records were updated and amended based on periodic inspections made by Valuation Office valuers. The records run continuously into the 1990s and formatting ranges from manuscript entries (lasting approximately 120 years) to typed cards to computer records. By the late 1990s/early 2000s, all valuation lists were transferred to computer data. Records are arranged by county/district/electoral division/townland/town/street. (d) Maps: Original copies of the Griffiths maps are no longer held by this office, however, we hold scanned computer copies. We also hold original paper/linen copies of archive maps dating from the 1870s to the 1990s. These maps cover the Republic of Ireland and show the boundaries of lot numbers within each townland or street. The rated occupier etc is not named on the map. Buildings are also mapped although in certain cases all buildings within a lot number may not appear (buildings are designated by small letters after the lot number). Maps are arranged by county and Ordnance Survey number (and district). The scale is mostly 6 to 1 mile but other scaled maps appear in different areas (ie 25 to 1 mile, 50 to 1 mile, townplans, and 1/1000). 3. What information do I need to start a search ? We normally need the following information. Archive searches are manual: a. County name b. Townland or town/street name (parish and barony name may be required) c. Family name or lot number as it appeared in Griffiths Valuation. d. Any other details you may think useful to identify the property. e. Specify the timespan of the search request ie 1860-1910 or until the family name no longer appears in our records. 4. What results can I expect to get from a search? Searches can be made from our earliest records to date and its possible to trace the occupiers etc of a property over a time-span of 150 years approximately. Our entries are based on periodic inspections (sometimes there can be a gap of 10-20 years between inspections). Details of the intervening occupiers are not usually held, nor are family member details or where the occupier moved to. Our records prove extremely valuable to genealogists or people conducting family research. Copies of the pages from the original documents and copies of requested maps will be forwarded. The relevant lot number will not be specifically identified unless requested as customers may prefer unmarked copies. 5. How much does it cost for a search? The following is our table of fees for archive research for our email/postal customers. All rates are in euro: Service Fee Remarks Standard research fee Euro 25.00 This is per request (ie multiple locations accepted) Photocopying fee Euro 1.27 colourEuro 0.63 black and white Field books, Griffiths Primary Valuation, Cancelled books per A3 page. Please request colour copies. Map copying fee Euro 25.39 (full OS sheet archive) euro 12.70 A3 sectionEuro 12.70 (full OS sheet current) euro 6.35 A3 section For most research purposes an A3 section of the map is sufficient. Full OS sheets can also be emailed/cdrom. Postage Euro 2.54 Standard fee. Documents are airmailed overseas. Express/courier additional fee. 6. How do I request a search, how are fees calculated, how do I pay and how long does it take to complete a search ? Requests can be made by letter, email or phone. Upon confirmation that research is to proceed, a computer record will be set up in your name with postal address, search details etc. You will be given a file reference/purchase code. Fees are estimated and are based on the anticipated size of the search. Any adjustment of fees can be made upon completion of research. A costing will issue (by email/ post) and payment can be made by cheque/postal order/bank draft in euro or credit card via our website payment page at www.valoff.ie. Normally research is completed within 2-3 weeks of receipt of payment. This can sometimes vary, as additional correspondence may be necessary to complete the search. If searches are required for a deadline please mention this when contacting us and well do our best to meet it. Sample costing: Standard research fee: euro 25.39 1 X A3 section archive map: euro 12.70 Estimated 10 x copies cancelled books: euro 6.30 Postage: euro 2.54 Total due: euro 46.93 7. Where can I get additional information to help me with my family research ? The following contact addresses may help you with additional research: (a) *National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8. T: 01-4783711 (b) General Register Office, Joyce House, Lombard Street, Dublin 2. T: 01-6711000 (c) Representative Church Body Library, Braemor Park, Dublin 14. T: 01-4923979 (d) *Registry Of Deeds, Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. T: 01-6707500. (e) Presbyterian Historical Society, Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1 6WD (f) Religious Society Of Friends Library, Swanbrook House, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4. T: 01-6687157 (g) Irish Jewish Museum, 3-4 Walworth Street, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. T: 01-4531797 *Archives contain information pre-dating Griffiths Primary Valuation. PERSONAL CALLERS: Research can also be conducted in person. Our archive reading room is open to personal callers: Monday-Friday 0915-1630. It is located on the ground floor. There is no need to make an appointment to visit during these hours. Research fees apply. Further information available on request. I hope the information is helpful. If you have any questions or wish to proceed with a request for research please contact me. Brendan Robbins Customer Service E: brendan.robbins@valoff.ie T: +353-1-8171041 Valuation Office Ireland, Block 2, Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1 , Ireland. This document is intended as a guide. Research fees are current as at 01/04/04 and are subject to change. For current information about our rates/services please contact the office directly.