County Down, Ireland Genealogy

Guide to County Down ancestry, family history and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, parish registers, and military records. Ireland Online Genealogy Records Ask the Community

History
It was during the Williamite War in Ireland from 1689 to 1691 the county was a center of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II. The Protestants formed a small force and were defeated by the Irish Army at the Break of Dromore They were forced to retreat leading to the whole of Down falling under Jacobite control. Later that year Marshal Schomberg's large Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying siege to Carrickfergus Schomberg marched south to Dundalk Camp, clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops.

The population of Down is roughly 531,665 people.

General County Research Information
County Down (Irish: Contae an Dúin) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland. It is situated in the province of Ulster. Further information about County Down is available at the GenUKI site.

Civil Jurisdictions and Parish Research Information

 * List of County Down Civil Parishes
 * List of County Down Catholic Parishes
 * County Down Roman Catholic Records

Census Records

 * 1901 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1911 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection;  index

Church Records

 * 1623-1866 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1701-1845 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Civil Registration

 * 1845-1913 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1845-1958 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Directories

 * 1856 Henderson's Ulster Directory, Ireland 1856 at MyHeritage — images ($)
 * 1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, images available on Findmypast
 * 1884 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1886 Bassett's County Down Guide and Directory, Ireland 1886 at MyHeritage — images ($)

Land and Property

 * 1831 - 1856 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1847-1864 Ireland, Griffith's Valuations, 1847-1864 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)

Maps
1885 County Map: Courtesy of London Ancestor

Probate Records

 * 1595-1858 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index