I'd be interested in that answer myself. I'm a Dowling, first name Paul, looking for relatives where ever my search takes me. Family lore has it that my great grand father imigrated from Wicklow, to here in the US, but who knows. I've just started my search, but have little factual data. Thanx, Paul -----Original Message----- From: Michael Brennan [mailto:michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 3:04 PM To: IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Laois or Leix? I quite agree with both comments. I have often wondered why there were two lists for the same county. The fact that there is very little traffic begs the question as to how we can promote the list to other people from Co.Laois who are on the Internet, but are unaware of this particular forum. What about asking local newspapers in the county? Any suggestions anyone On another note Pamela, are you related in anyway to the Dowling's from Coolane, Killeshin, Co.Laois??? Regards and good luck with your research Michael Brennan Kent England Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk Also researching the MORAN's, BRENNAN's & KELLY's of Co.Laois Ireland. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pamela Dowling" <iregenie@gmx.net> To: <IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 11:28 AM Subject: Re: Laois or Leix? > Hi Tom, > > I too have been wondering for a long time why we have two lists for the > same small county. There seems to me to be little if any difference. Most > messages are cross-posted, which wastes everyone's time and bandwidth and > costs more for those who pay for time online, and there is normally very > little traffic on either anyway. > > BTW Tom, Rootsweb doesn't start the lists, private individuals do. All > Rootsweb does is provide the list facilities. > > Wouldn't it make more sense to consolidate the LEIX and LAOIS lists - > someone???? Listowners???? > > Regards > Pamela > > > At 12:21 29.05.01 -0400, Tom Wilde wrote: > >I have just subscribed to the IRL-LEIX-L Mailing List at rootsweb.com > >because I was (a) wondering if there was anything that I was missing > >and (b) curious as to why rootsweb.com would have two separate mailing > >lists for the same county. What's the difference between IRL-LEIX-L > >and IRL-LAOIS-L (other than the spelling)? > >Just wondering... > > > > Aussie transplanted to Rotorua, NZ. > ==== IRL-LAOIS Mailing List ====

The following is a wonderful book with obscure info. on Quakers in Co. Laois (which included quite a few of my ancestors): "Dear Mr Kelso We can supply a copy of the Quakers of Mountmellick, price $10US plus priority postage $6US, there is also economy class mail which is $2US but may take 6 - 7 weeks to reach you. You may quote your VISA or Master card number as payment or send cheque made out in american dollars. Regards Marie Daly Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society Bury Quay Tullamore Co. Offaly Tel/Fax No:00 353 506 21421 Web Address http://ireland.iol.ie/~ohas/ E-Mail ohas@iol.ie" Fred Kelso Oxford, PA USA > -----Original Message----- > From: Michael Brennan [SMTP:michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk] > Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 3:24 PM > To: IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: published books on genealogy > > Hi Charlotte > > If you do find any source for this material I would be interested to know > about it myself as I am also looking for Books on Laois, old and new. > > Regards and good luck with your research > > Michael Brennan > Kent > England > Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk > > Also researching the MORAN's, BRENNAN's & KELLY's of Co.Laois Ireland. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charlotte Smith" <charlotsmith@prodigy.net> > To: <IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, May 28, 2001 10:46 PM > Subject: published books on genealogy > > > > Our society has money to buy Irish books. Does anyone know if anything > recently has been published about Laois..example; church records, > graveyards, marriages for that area. If so let me know. Hard to find this > material.. Charlotte > > > > > ==== IRL-LAOIS Mailing List ==== >

Hello, I am seeking information on a Kelly family in Stradbally Timaho. The father was Michael Kelly and the mother was Catherine Buggy/Bogey. They were the parents of my g-grandfather, James Patrick Kelly. James would have been born around 1860 or so. He had the following siblings, William, Patrick, Elizabeth and Michael. James married Margaret Matthews in Ireland, but she was born in Holyhead, Wales. They eventually lived in Yorkshire, England- Bradford and Keithly. My grandmother, Mary Anne Kelly, was born in Bradford on March 8, 1894. James and Margaret came to the US in 1912, to Boston. They came with 5 of their children and worked in a woolen mill in Westford, Massachusetts. Any help would be appreciated on the Ireland side. Thank you, Mary Beth Ortzman

go to www.offalyhistory.com on the left you will see list of publications and a good list of books on the area. also check "reading resources" charlotte

One way jumps to mind Michael......ask the county coordinators to put a link on their county pages (may be more than one <grin>) to both mailing lists. This would require as a matter of courtesy to ask both list admins for permission before linking to their mailing lists. Reciprocity as a matter of course would evolve as a nice bonus for visitors. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Brennan" <michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk> To: <IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 12:03 PM Subject: Re: Laois or Leix? I quite agree with both comments. I have often wondered why there were two lists for the same county. The fact that there is very little traffic begs the question as to how we can promote the list to other people from Co.Laois who are on the Internet, but are unaware of this particular forum. What about asking local newspapers in the county? Any suggestions anyone On another note Pamela, are you related in anyway to the Dowling's from Coolane, Killeshin, Co.Laois??? Regards and good luck with your research Michael Brennan Kent England Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk Also researching the MORAN's, BRENNAN's & KELLY's of Co.Laois Ireland. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pamela Dowling" <iregenie@gmx.net> To: <IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 11:28 AM Subject: Re: Laois or Leix? > Hi Tom, > > I too have been wondering for a long time why we have two lists for the > same small county. There seems to me to be little if any difference. Most > messages are cross-posted, which wastes everyone's time and bandwidth and > costs more for those who pay for time online, and there is normally very > little traffic on either anyway. > > BTW Tom, Rootsweb doesn't start the lists, private individuals do. All > Rootsweb does is provide the list facilities. > > Wouldn't it make more sense to consolidate the LEIX and LAOIS lists - > someone???? Listowners???? > > Regards > Pamela > > > At 12:21 29.05.01 -0400, Tom Wilde wrote: > >I have just subscribed to the IRL-LEIX-L Mailing List at rootsweb.com > >because I was (a) wondering if there was anything that I was missing > >and (b) curious as to why rootsweb.com would have two separate mailing > >lists for the same county. What's the difference between IRL-LEIX-L > >and IRL-LAOIS-L (other than the spelling)? > >Just wondering... > > > > Aussie transplanted to Rotorua, NZ. > ==== IRL-LAOIS Mailing List ====

Hi there... I have just learned that the Message Board I was using on my Laois website is shutting down as of June 1st. With Carol's permission I am going to post the queries here. If you wish to respond please use the email address with the query. Thanks, Christina ........................................................................ Fermoyle ancestors by Mark Aidan Bergin posted 3/21/01 2:11:34 AM We are trying to find a branch of our family tree. John Fermoyle (Born 1824) is supposed to have left Ireland with his parents (father was also named John Fermoyle, mother was Bridget Carroll) in 1833. They reportedly lived in County Laois but we can find no links in County Laois, prior to emigration to Caanda, for the Fermoyle family. Do you have any suggestions on how to follow up on this research. mabergin@home.com <mabergin@home.com> .......................................... James Campion by Linda Simons posted 4/17/01 9:45:54 PM I am looking for information on my great-great grandfather, James C. Campion, b. Dec. 2 1835 in County Laois. He immigrated to New York State around 1857, later migrating to Kansas. I am looking for parents, siblings, etc. Also, I am looking for any Campions who still live in County Laois. Thank you. llsimons@hotmail.com <llsimons@hotmail.com> ....................................... Dowlings in Mountmellick by Barbara Daly posted 4/29/01 4:55:49 PM Am looking for info on Dowling family: Father was Joseph Dowling, mother was Elizabeth Bacon. My grandfather was Edward Joseph Dowling, b. 1881 in Mountmellick, Leix (now Laois). Edward had older brother Ralph (these 2 immigrated to Liverpool in their teens (1890s), then to Canada in early 1900's). They also had a younger brother Dennis, and another who immigrated to Australia. Sister Molly remained in Mountmellick until her death (approx. 1970s). There were other siblings but I have no info on them. Thanks for any help. bdaly16@home.com <bdaly16@home.com> .............................................. Nicholas Hall by Joe Hall posted 5/5/01 10:54:30 AM I am looking for information and the ancestry of Nicholas Hall, born 1791, who joined the 88th Regiment, 2nd Batallion. He served in the Penninsular War 1807-1814 and the War of 1812 in Canada, where he settled. I have extensive data of him after his arrival in Canada, which I can share. He came from either Roshkeen, Rushin or Ruskin. (I am reading rom an old manuscript) Any information will be greatly appreciated. Please respond directly to: joehall@mninter.net Joe Hall USA ................................................ McCann by carolyn pierce posted 5/5/01 12:41:48 PM I am looking for information on Terence McCann, possibily a tailor, whose sons michael, patrick and thomas left county queens in the 1860s, landed in new york city and took the night boat up to Albany the same day. Patrick was in the civil war. chp4242@aol.com <chp4242@aol.com> ............................................... Langton-Blacksmiths Co. Laois by Jim Langton posted 5/6/01 8:44:52 PM Can anybody tell me anything on the Langtons who were blacksmiths around Ballinen Co.Laois.As far as I know,Bolgers were blacksmiths at one end of the town and the Langtons were at the other. Jim Langton adrienne_hardy@hotmail.com <adrienne_hardy@hotmail.com> ................................................. HONNER family by Maryjane Stelmach Honner posted 5/22/01 1:12:04 AM Hi Folks! I am looking for any ancestors, decendants of, and info about the HONNER family of Laois, Ireland. My immediate family was from Mountrath (Rosecelton Church has many records on them I hear) with cousins in Mountmellick also. Of course there are also branches of the family in Tipperary, Dublin, Waterford, and Cork (the old family)... with many variations of spelling (Honor, Honnor, Honour in England, and the original Huguenot Honore). Would appreciate an email if anyone out there has any info or ties! I have an HONNER website with tons o' info & family trees, and would be happy to share. Thanks, Maryjane Stelmach Honner Canton, Michigan, USA mjonhermusheen@voyager.net

Hi Charlotte If you do find any source for this material I would be interested to know about it myself as I am also looking for Books on Laois, old and new. Regards and good luck with your research Michael Brennan Kent England Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk Also researching the MORAN's, BRENNAN's & KELLY's of Co.Laois Ireland. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlotte Smith" <charlotsmith@prodigy.net> To: <IRL-LAOIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 28, 2001 10:46 PM Subject: published books on genealogy > Our society has money to buy Irish books. Does anyone know if anything recently has been published about Laois..example; church records, graveyards, marriages for that area. If so let me know. Hard to find this material.. Charlotte >

Charlotte, Although it is more of a historical account rather than a genealogy book, Kevin P. O'Brien's book "Abbeyleix - Life, Lore & Legend" is a good account of the history of this Heritage Town. He does list names of some residents who live there and who have been instrumental in preserving the heritage of Abbeyleix. The book is soft-cover and contains 168 pages, many with photographs of the town and it's inhabitants, past and present. A review of this book may be seen at http://laois.local.ie/content/29734.shtml/abbeyleix/history It was a private printing (Franamanagh Books, 1998) and copies may be ordered directly from the author by emailing him at mailto:kpjob@iol.ie I found the book to be very interesting and informative about the birthplace of my great, great grandfather, Edward Wilde. Mr. O'Brien even emailed me additional information about the Wilde family of Abbeyleix. Good luck! Tom

I have just subscribed to the IRL-LEIX-L Mailing List at rootsweb.com because I was (a) wondering if there was anything that I was missing and (b) curious as to why rootsweb.com would have two separate mailing lists for the same county. What's the difference between IRL-LEIX-L and IRL-LAOIS-L (other than the spelling)? Just wondering...

Our society has money to buy Irish books. Does anyone know if anything recently has been published about Laois..example; church records, graveyards, marriages for that area. If so let me know. Hard to find this material.. Charlotte

Descendants of Thomas DELANEY - 26 May 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- I am interested in Thomas Delaney. He had a brother Daniel Delaney who died in 1750 and was said to have been married into the Uniacke family. Another relative was Dr. Patrick Delany who was a fellow of Trinity College Dublin. Chancellor of Christ Church; prebendary of St. Patrick's in Dublin; Dean of Down and friend of Jonathan Swift. His wife was Mary Granville (1700-1788). It seems like something more of this family might be known through Dr Patrick. 1. Thomas DELANEY was born about 1662 in Queens Co., Ireland.1 He died about 1739 in Baltimore Co., MD.2 He was married to Sarah.3 Thomas DELANEY and Sarah had the following children: 2 i. Elizabeth Delany was born about 1723. +3 ii. Dennis DULANEY (born on 28 May 1731). 4 iii. John Delany was born on 11 Feb 1733. He was married to Unknown. Thomas DELANEY and Unknown had the following children: +5 i. Daniel (the elder) Dulaney (born in 1685). 6 ii. Joseph Dulaney5 was born on 25 Mar 1682. He died on 13 Sep 1769. He died 13 Sep1769. 7 iii. William Dulaney6 was born about 1684. He died before 11 Apr 1745. 8 iv. Thomas Dulaney8 was born in 1689. source: Dulany-Furlong and Kindred Families by Roland Dulany Furlong. Thanks for any info... Christina http://pw1.netcom.com/~ninah/index.htm

Researching Delaney & Dormer families from Clonbrock--Doonane Parish Laois 1814----1875 & after Michael Leonard Ballybrood Limerick County born circa 1849 Eleanor McDermott Dublin / Dublin born circa 1827 Fanny Brennan --- Laois/Kilkenny born circa 1834 spouse of Martin Delaney Mary Burke County Tipperary Would be extremely glad for any information Roger Delaney In Sunny Caves Beach NSW rocky@fastlink.com.au Fax (02) 49713750

I am trying to find the birth place of my Grandfather, JOHN CAREY, m ALICIA NOLAN,Carlow Cathedral Feb 1875, they had three children, 1 born Carlow, & 2 born Graiguecullen, they then moved to Liverpool, where they had more children. John died in Liverpool 1906 aged 51, but where was he born. Marriage cert gives parents, Micheal,& Ann. I cannot find birth in Carlow, anybody out there with any idea's. Cheers Mary in Liverpool

Can anyone tell me an email or fax address for any newspaer which serves Doonane---Newtown --Clonbrock area of Laois County Searching Delaneys from Clonbrock 1814---1875 Roger Delaney In Sunny Caves Beach NSW Australia rocky@fastlink.com.au Fax (02) 49713750

'BRENNAN' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The meaning of the name BRENNAN in its original Irish form, as a personal name, still remains an enigma: it either means 'Sorrow', or 'Little Drop'. In modern Ireland there are many Brennans. Here and there one is met with the prefix O, but, today, the form Mac Brennan is seldom seen, if ever found. The simple form, Brennan, is used in the anglicised form of two quite distinct Gaelic Irish surnames, viz., O'Braonain and MacBranain. The former is the appellation of four different unrelated septs; the latter, of one only. Judging by the present day distribution of the name, two of these five have survived in large numbers in the districts around their original habitats. It is sufficient therefore, just to mention the three others which were located respectively in the Counties of Galway, Westmeath and Kerry. MacBranain was chief of Corcachlann, the old name for the territory in the Eastern part of Co.Roscommon. A succession of these chiefs appear in the Annals between 1159 and 1488. While the leading members of the sept retained the Mac until the submergence of the Gaelic order in the Seventeen century, the substitution of O for Mac in some cases, is noted as early as 1360. The present day Brennans of counties Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo are nearly all MacBrennans or more correctly, MacBrannans. The principal O'Brennan sept was of Ossory. They were the chiefs of Ui Duach in the northern part of Co.Kilkenny. Their influence, naturally waned as English power became paramount in Leinster, and though several of the O'Brennans retained some portion of their former estates, the seventeen century reduced many of them to the status of rapparee-indeed several famous or notorious bands of Tories in Leinster were led by Brennans, and in the next century, one of the most intrepid and chivalrous of all Irish highwaymen, James Freney, was, he asserted, instructed in his calling by the last of the Tory Brennans. The most distinguished of the sept was Most Reverent John Brennan (1625-1693), Bishop of Waterford and Archbishop of Cashel. He was a friend of Geoffrey Keating (1570-1649) and Blessed Oliver Plunkett (1629-1681) Archbishop of Armagh; though constantly the object of special attention from priest-hunters, he was elusive enough to remain continuously in his diocese which he administered with marked wisdom and his periodical reports to Rome are of the greatest value to the historian of the seventeen century. Another John Brennan (1768-1830), popularly called "Wrestling Doctor" and well known in his day for his satires on Dublin doctors, was also of the Ossory sept of O'Brennan and considered to be chief of the name. Among exiles of the name we may mention the Abbe Peter O'Brennan who was executed in 1794 for his resistance to the French Revolution. Appeared in a copy of 'Irelands Own' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The information contained in these pages is provided solely for the purpose of sharing with others who are researching their ancestors around the world. Regards and good luck with your research Michael Brennan Kent England Home: michael@janbren.freeserve.co.uk I am also researching the following members of my family: All descendants of William BRENNAN, (c1800's) of Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois. IRL MORAN & LALOR/LAWLER/LAWLOR, Arless Co. Laois. IRL; KELLY/CARTER, Ardateggle, Co. Laois. IRL BOLGER/BRENNAN, Dublin City. IRL; BORAN, WALL & RYAN, Arless, Co.Laois. IRL BRENNAN, James, IRL; BRENNAN, Martin, d1963, Belfast, N.IRL

Hi there Thanks so much to all who have helped me here. Does anyone have any more information, please? Children Joseph, William, Edward and Henry moved to Montreal Canada. The rest remained in Ireland. I am interested in any of these families. Judy, in BC Descendants of Henry Quelch 1 Henry Quelch 1795 - b: 1795 in Johnstown, Killkeny, Ireland d: in Ireland .. +Mary Purcell 1798 - b: Abt. 1798 in Johnstown, Killkeny, Ireland m: 1814 in Ireland d: in Ireland ...... 2 Joseph Quelch 1816 - b: Abt. 1816 in Ireland d: in Canada Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Diose .......... +Jane ( Fury) Fleury m: June 11, 1844 in Notre Dame, Montreal, Ille De Montreal, Quebec, Canada d: in Canada ...... 2 John Quelch 1817 - b: January 24, 1817 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathedowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 Honora Quelch 1818 - b: December 25, 1818 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 William John Quelch 1821 - b: February 18, 1821 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland d: in Canada Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland .......... +Maria Dowd 1825 - b: Abt. 1825 in Ireland m: September 28, 1857 in Ile De Montreal, Quebec, Canada d: in Canada ...... 2 Patrick Quelch 1823 - b: March 23, 1823 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 Henry Edward Quelch 1825 - 1863 b: August 24, 1825 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland d: 1863 in Canada Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland .......... +Bridget Maher 1827 - b: Abt. 1827 m: June 05, 1854 in Montreal, Ille De Montreal, Quebec, Canada d: in Brooklyn, New York, USA ...... 2 Ellen Quelch 1827 - b: May 13, 1827 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 Mary Quelch 1829 - b: June 29, 1829 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 Edward W. Quelch 1832 - b: July 11, 1832 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland d: in Canada Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland ...... 2 Margaret Quelch 1834 - b: January 21, 1834 in Shragh, Johnstown, Leix (Laois/Queens) County, Leinster Province, Ireland Baptism: Rathdowne, Ossary Dioses, Ireland

Has anyone got interests in COSTIGAN in the area of Ballinakill, Co. Laois? I am looking for an Elizabeth COSTIGAN born circa 1800-1810. I have just visited the area and found a baptism of an Elizabeth COSTIGAN 1806, Ballinakill, parents: John COSTIGAN and Elizabeth MURPHY. Her marriage to John DONNELLY in 1826 states the area as Graignahown. Does anyone know anything about this place? I also found the following gravestone inscription at Knock: "Patrick COSTIGAN died 30.4.1891 aged 60. His wife Mary died 1933 aged 84. Their children Ellen died 28.5.1925 aged 38 and Kate died 10.2.1935 aged 52" Would be pleased to hear from anyone who may have any further information on these details. Regards Jane Coop (Saddleworth, England) I found a baptism at Ballinakill I have just been to visit the area and found the following gravestone at Knock --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.251 / Virus Database: 124 - Release Date: 26/04/01

or almost I have just uploaded a page with listings of the articles found in the Irish Ancestor an Irish Genealogical Journal. I am missing the contents list for 1983 and there are a few volumes which I don't have the page numbers for but I'll correct that as soon as I can. My apologies to those of you who will receive this message more than once as the Irish Ancestor contains material relative to every county, some more than others and I will send it to those lists I am subbed to. If you want to look at this page please go to http://www.from-ireland.net and you will find the link in the bottom half of the Journals page. It will be accessible through each of the county pages but they will not be loaded until this evening. Jane

Looking for information on John Whitehead and his wife, Catherine Morehead, from County Queens (Laois). They had at least one child, Anna Maria, born 23 Jun 1845 in the Province of Leinster. That's all I know - how can I find out more? I would, of course, like to know more about John and Catherine, to know whether they had any other children and to know when and how Anna came to the United States (was prior to 1866). I also have reason to believe that Catherine came over here with Anna, but my now-deceased great-aunt never mentioned that John was with them - did he die before the trip (or during the trip?)? So many things I want to know....thanks for any help from any source! Jan Rader Kent, Ohio USA

Here in Ireland genealogy and family history is not looked on in the same vein as it is by those of you who research your Irish Ancestry. Our older graveyards are just left there to rot in the majority of counties, local history societies are few and far between, people for the most part do not have any interest in researching their ancestry. For the last few years the Government is supposed to have had a programme to computerise our Birth, Marriage and Death records - but that is scorned by our genealogists, it's been in dis-array or worked in a dis-organised fashion and they doubt that it will ever finish. So, this particular document and consultation exercise will only be looked at and commented on by a relative few here - that will be seen as the 'amount of interest' in the subject and then little notice will be taken of what the genealogists have to say about the matter more than likely because there are statistically so few compared to the rest of the population. Therefore it is very important that those of you who do have an interest in genealogy take the time to read this document and pass your comments on to those who Stephen lists here. Jane ----- Original Message ----- From: "steven smyrl" <smyrl@indigo.ie> Newsgroups: soc.genealogy.ireland Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2001 10:09 AM Subject: BRINGING IRISH CIVIL REGISTRATION INTO THE 21st CENTURY > > > COUNCIL OF IRISH GENEALOGICAL ORGANISATIONS > > On Tuesday, 1 May, CIGO was invited to a press launch in Dublin. The Ministers for Health & Children and Social, Community & Family Affairs, Micheál Martin TD and Dermot Ahern TD, were launching the consultative stage of the 'GRO PROJECT' in the form of a document entitled Bringing Civil Registration into the 21st Century - A Consultation Document on the Modernisation of the Civil Registration Service. This document can be found on the web at: www.groireland.ie/images/consultation.pdf . The consultation exercise is open to all, but unfortunately is quite short, it ends on the 31 May. CIGO encourages all organisations and individuals involved in Irish genealogical research to have their say. E-mail submissions may be sent to grodoc@welfare.ie , however CIGO suggests that lengthy and/or detailed submissions should be made in writing and sent to: > > Civil Registration Modernisation Programme > Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs > Goldsmith House > Pearse Street > Dublin 2 > Republic of Ireland > > Appendix 6 of Bringing Civil Registration... lists a number of questions designed to assist those who wish to submit their views. Of particular interest is the section headed 'Public Access to Registration Records'. This section needs to be addressed thoroughly or genealogists may find that the new legislation (which is to be enacted later in the year) will, for the first time since 1845, severely restrict their access to certain sections of the Public Record ! Don't forget that this is also your opportunity to let the two Departments know that it is high time that permission was given by the Registrar General to allow genealogical groups to purchase copies of the Irish civil registration films held by the LDS church. > > Given the number of times over the years that the problem of the Irish General Register Office has raised its ugly head, some readers might 'think why bother ?'. DON'T ! This is the opportunity that we have all waited so long for. The next few months are crucial. We must all work hard to make sure that the new legislation proposed by the Irish Government fairly reflects the interests of Irish genealogists - both in Ireland and overseas. > > Kind regards, > > Steven Smyrl > Executive Liaison Officer >