By Dr James G. Ryan
A little-known archive on the southside of Dublin holds unexpected treasures for family historians, including previously unknown 18th- and 19th-century baptism and marriage records from Wexford parishes.
The records that we rely on for local and family history exist in all sorts of archives, but we tend to focus on the well-established repositories. However, smaller archives may also provide useful sources.
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In 2016, I got to visit the Franciscan Library in Killiney, Dublin, to see what records of family history relevance might be held. This friary was established in 1945 as a “house of studies” for Franciscan history and Celtic studies. The library and manuscript room primarily house the administrative records of the order, which had friaries in many parts of Ireland. It also housed a significant collection of medieval manuscripts, most of which have now been transferred to University College Dublin. The administrative records of the order are still in the library.
Items of particular family history interest are as follows:
Accounts of friaries
These record payments to named local suppliers and workers on the friary farms and buildings (for example, Wexford Friary accounts from 1735 and servants’ wages 1710–29; Claregalway accounts 1813–26; Galway accounts 1793–1808; plus more).
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Subscribers
Subscribers of money for upkeep or building of chapels, some with addresses, and also lists of families with burial rights in Franciscan churches.
Societies and sodalities
The Franciscans maintained a lay religious society called the “Third Order of St Francis”, commonly known as the “Confraternity”. The library has records of members, some with addresses, for Limerick city (1816–65), Wexford town (1763–1834 – names only), Galway city (1833–72), Drogheda (1842–77) and others.
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Church records
The most significant finding was new church records:
- Baptism and marriage records of the parish of Killanerin (Gorey), Co. Wexford (1783–1807) – click here to view transcriptions
- Baptism, marriage and anointing records of Rathangan, Co. Wexford (1807–11) – click here to view transcriptions
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These records are in priests’ notebooks (Reference Ms. C 104) and are additional to the records in the parish registers (such as those digitized on the National Library website). It is unclear why they are in the library, but it is known that the Franciscans provided parish clergy in some counties at times. These notebooks could be remnants from this period.
There are undoubtedly other useful records which were not found on this visit. There is a detailed catalogue, but its structure is based on the organization of the Franciscan community. Further useful material may be hidden within its headings. The archives can be visited by appointment (click here to plan your visit).
Dr James G. Ryan is a writer, publisher and professional researcher in Irish genealogy who has lectured and taught extensively in the US and elsewhere.
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