There's no sense now, especially for us genealogists, in continuing to harbor ill will. For the sake of accuracy, however, a few things should be pointed out. First, it's notable that what was burned in 1922 covered nearly the entire record of English government in Ireland back to the 13th century, and that likely would have pleased the IRA and other Free State folks. Second, the average person in that day had little interest in genealogy, struggling as they were just to survive, and Catholic Irish in particular relied solely on their church records and family knowledge while giving little importance to - perhaps even despising - government held records. It's also notable that a year earlier, in 1921, the IRA did burn the Customs House in order to disrupt British rule. In 1922, both British and Free State forces were shelling the area, and there's no way to prove whose shells started the fire, or if it was intentionally set. However, IF it was intentional, it makes more sense to me that it would have been the Free State or IRA forces, since it followed not only the 1921 fire, which they are known to have set, but also the government's announced plan to move to Belfast all records relating to those counties which remained in the U.K. If I were an Irish person still living there in 1922, that plan would not have pleased me. Just the two cents of one whose family has been in the U.S. since 1788. Loretta (Lynn) Layman -----Original Message----- From: irl-monaghan-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-monaghan-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Peter Trainer Sent: Friday, March 08, 2013 10:32 AM To: irl-monaghan@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IRL-MONAGHAN] ailt nua / new articles Thanks for all this interesting material, Jerry. The articles relating to the importance of genealogy in Irish culture explain one thing for me--this must be the reason that the Dublin PRO was targeted in 1922. It would seem a very effective way to disconnect the Irish from their familial roots. Thanks again, Peter Trainer