Ireland Landed Estate Court Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This collection covers records for the years 1850 to 1885.

Record History
During the 1840s, Ireland suffered a massive famine. Many tenants died, and others emigrated, hoping to find relief. As a result, landlords lost their major source of income, and their estates went into debt, culminating in a high number of foreclosures. It is estimated that between the years 1850 and 1858 around 8,000 estate foreclosures were handled.

In 1849, an act was passed which established the Encumbered Estates Court. This court handled the sale and accounting of bankrupted estates. In 1858, the Landed Estates Court was established. This court handled both unencumbered and encumbered estates.

Why This Record Was Created
These records were created to provide a detailed accounting of bankrupted estate sales.

Record Reliability
These records are very reliable.

Record Description
These records consist of maps, which are hand-drawn, and tenant lists which are typed on preprinted forms. The records are divided by county and lot.

Record Content
The lot maps include the following information: 

• Estate owner and title

• Parish

• County

• Surveyor’s name and address

• Ordinance sheet number

The tenant lists include the following information:

• Tenant’s full name

• Number on the map

• Quantity of land

• Irish plantation rents

• Annual rent

• Gale days (the day on which rent is due)

• Tennant tenure

How to Use the Record
Use these records to establish a place of residence. The residence could lead you to other records such as tax records (which help to establish a length of residence) and church, emigration or probate records (which may include names and information on other family members.) These records sometimes list female tenants, which may indicate that the husband is deceased.

Related Websites
Ireland National Archives

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Related Wiki Articles
Ireland Court Records

Sources of This Collection
“Ireland, Landed Estate Court - 1850-1885,” database, FamilySearch Record Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch); 2009, from General Register Office. Landed Estate Court Records. Ireland, General Register Office, Belfast. FHL microfilm, 67 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

How to Cite Your Sources
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)