Ireland was at one time rich in its sources to trace Irish Ancestry, but in 1922 a fire in the Four Courts, Dublin, destroyed much of the documentation for people world-wide to legitimately claim Irish ancestry. The spiritual Capital of Ireland for 1500 years, and the seat of both Protestant and Catholic archbishops, Armagh is the most venerated of Irish Cities. Saint Patrick built his stone church on the hill where the Anglican cathedral now stands as early as 444 AD. On the opposite hill, two large marble archbishops, who gaze across the town, flank the twin-spired Catholic cathedral. Over the next few years Armagh Ancestry will be providing a pathway across the Four Courts fire. The Centre will establish a comprehensive genealogical database containing those sources now considered the most useful in establishing a family tree. The computerisation of genealogical records for County Armagh has been in operation since 1985. Indexing of the Catholic parish records has been completed up to 1900. The centre is presently working on the Civil records pre-1922 and other church records. Genealogical research can be carried out using:  Church registers pre-1900- Baptisms, marriages, and deaths  Civil Records pre-1922-Births, marriages, and deaths  The Tithe Applotment Books 1823-1837 listing all tenants who paid tithe, a tax based on the size and quality of the tenant`s farm  Griffith`s Land Valuation 1848-1864 a valuation to determine the amount of tax each household should pay towards supporting the poor within their poor law union  Gravestone inscriptions available for the county of Armagh  Census Data Other sources include wills; Estate records; Deeds; Militia; Yeomanry and muster rolls; shipping lists and any other materials which can assist in tracing a person`s genealogy. The centre is open to the public Monday to Saturday and callers are welcome. There is a small genealogical library for consultation and a compressive selection of books on genealogy and Armagh. Visitors to Armagh not only have their family tree traced but they can avail of the chance to have genealogical tour planed around their family history. A holiday tour pack for the county can be prepared in advanced of your visit. You could see the land of your ancestors, the houses they lived in, and the beautiful County of Armagh. http://www.armagh.gov.uk/history/ancestry.php3 Sally Rolls Pavia sallyavia2001@yahoo.com "You cannot unsay a cruel word." List Owner: GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES-L-request@rootsweb.com Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES "All incoming and outgoing email checked by Norton Anti-Virus"