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. 

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.

Archives and Libraries
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) 66 Balmoral Avenue Belfast BT9 6NY E-mail: gro.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk Internet: Proni

The above is the official repository for the public records of Northern Ireland. PRONI also collects records from private sources.

General Register Office Oxford House 49/55 Chichester St. Belfast BTI 4HL Internet: Proni E-mail: gro.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk

Register of births and deaths in Northern Ireland since 1864. Marriage records from 1922 on.

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Colby House Stranmillis Court Malone Lower Belfast BT9 5BJ Internet: Index E-mail: osni@nics.gov.uk

Other: ancestryireland

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 — index
 * 1911 - at FamilySearch — index

Church Records

 * 1623-1866 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1701-1845 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil Registration

 * 1845-1913 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1845-1958 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Land and Property

 * 1831 - 1856 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Maps
1885 County Map: Courtesy of London Ancestor

Probate Records

 * 1595-1858 - at FamilySearch — index

Societies
Family history societies often publish helpful journals, transcripts, compiled genealogies and host helpful websites. They may have ongoing projects to transcribe records and create indexes. Most societies publish queries in their journals and maintain lists of members’ research interests that may be helpful to you. You may want to join one of these societies, reap the benefits of their expertise and resources or support its efforts.

Ulster Historical Foundation 12 College Square East Belfast Northern Ireland BT1 6DD Tel: (01232) 33 22 88 Fax: (01232) 23 98 85 Internet: Ancestry Ireland E-mail: info@ifhf.ie

Down County Museum The Mall Downpatrick County Down BT30 6AH Down County Museum

Dromore Dioceasan Archives Bishops House Newry County Down By appointment Collections include records of baptisms, marriages and deaths for each parish 1926- as well as other diocesan parish papers

South Eastern Education Library Board Library Headquarters Windmill Hill Ballynahinch County Down Northern Ireland Internet: Seelb E-mail: info@seelb.org.uk

Websites

 * FHLFavorites.info
 * County Down, Northern Ireland GenWeb Project