Ireland, Catholic Qualification & Convert Rolls - FamilySearch Historical Records

Ireland

Why Should I Look at This Collection?
Catholics were restricted from owning property, holding office and voting during the 1700's. Some of them renounced their religion and converted to the Church of Ireland in order to enjoy such rights. Besides taking the sacrament in the Church of Ireland, they were required to file a certificate in a court of law. Apparently several courts had the authority to grant their rights. Courts listed include King's Bench, Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and Assizes. The rolls were kept by the Chancery Court Rolls Office until 1867, at which time they were transferred to the Public Records Office. The actual rolls were destroyed by the fire in 1922, but these calendars survive. During the period 1695-1793 under the Penal Laws Catholics were presumed guilty of disloyalty to the government based on their religious faith. Following the Papists Act 1778 a person was required to take an oath of loyalty to the current monarch, forswear allegiance to the Stuart claim to the throne, and the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. The names of persons taking the oath were registered in the qualification rolls. The information is arranged by locality (circuit) of the court, and surname.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Calendar of Convert Rolls
 * Surname
 * Given name
 * Date of enrollment

Qualification Rolls
 * Surname
 * Given name
 * Residence
 * Date and place where the oath was taken

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add the new information to your records
 * Use the information to find the person in other records
 * Analyze the entry to see if if provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of his name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Ireland.
 * Ireland Guided Research
 * Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Related Collections

 * Ireland. Court of Chancery Qualification Rolls index 1793-1796, and Convert Rolls 1703-1800

Citing This Collection
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