User:Beccac1229/Sandbox47

=Ireland Catholic Marriages - Why can't I find a record?=

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find Roman Catholic marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the Ireland Catholic Guided Research page. If researching after 1864, see Civil Records.

Historically, the majority of the Irish population was Roman Catholic. Although the earliest record is from 1671, most parishes began keeping records starting in the early 19th century. After 1864, look for marriages in Irish civil registration.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1619-1898:  Ireland, Select Marriages, 1619-1898  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1655-1915:  Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1742-1884:  Ireland, Selections of Catholic Parish Marriages and Banns, 1742-1884  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1775-1942:  Ireland, Select Catholic Marriage Registers, 1775-1942  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1700s-1800s:  Catholic Parish Registers at the NLI  at National Library of Ireland - search images by Catholic parish and time period
 *  Ireland Church Records  at IrishGenealogy.ie
 *  Search Marriage Records for Ireland  at RootsIreland.ie ($)

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for marriage events may not have been created at the time of the marriage. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records.

Tips for finding marriages
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate marriage date or father's name if known.
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride's name rather than the groom's name.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Church of Ireland. Because of religious restrictions, some Catholics can be found in Church of Ireland records.

Surname distribution maps
Because of the abundance of common given and surnames, it is important to know the county and, even more importantly, the parish in order to narrow down the search. Use surname distribution maps to narrow down the likely location of your ancestor.
 * Irish Surnames
 * Surname Distribution mid 1800s

Records Start Mandatory marriage registration for Catholics started in 1864. Before this, marriages can be found in church records. Historically, the majority of the Irish population was Roman Catholic. Although the earliest record is from 1671, most Catholic parishes began keeping records starting in the early 19th century.

Records Published Records Destroyed Catholic church records have had little record loss. Civil registration records are generally complete.