A newly launched online database provides access to thousands of biographical entries drawn from 18th- and 19th-century Irish and Canadian newspaper notices and developed from the work of genealogist Patrick Smythe-Wood.
A new database created from a card index of biographical information extracted from Irish newspapers has been launched by the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS). Its records span the years 1772 to 1900, with most falling between 1800 and 1860.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Assembled from a handwritten card index compiled by the late Patrick Smythe-Wood several decades ago, the digital database comprises around 11,600 indexed record entries and offers insights into the lives of about 20,000 individuals.
A typical entry in the database may include an individual’s name, address, date or year of birth, death or marriage, religious denomination and the names of spouse, parent(s) and other family members and relations – all vital genealogical data.
Many of the records relate to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), military personnel and customs and excise officers, reflecting Smythe-Wood’s interest in uniformed services.
Although Smythe-Wood used newspapers from across all of Ireland when compiling his index, the data predominantly represents the nine counties of the province of Ulster: Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone. A small number of Canadian newspapers were also used when creating the index.
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Accessing the newspaper database
Non-IGRS members can search the database free of charge to check for the prevalence of particular first name and surname combinations here. Your search results will show how many times the names appear in the newspaper extracts and the total number of records found in relation to your search. However, you will not be able to view the full records.
Full access to the database is available to logged-in IGRS members via the society’s “unique resources” page.
Patrick Smythe-Wood
Ian Alastair Patrick Smythe-Wood (1914–1997), a distinguished genealogist, had strong ancestral ties to Co. Antrim through his father’s family, who were from the village of Bushmills. Smythe-Wood was known for his extensive work on parochial records, monumental inscriptions and Irish genealogical links with Canada and the Isle of Man, as well as Irish and Canadian newspapers.
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Thank You
Smythe-Wood was elected a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society in 1993, just four years before his death. Much of his research was subsequently donated to the society, and this newly published online database represents part of his legacy.
Irish Genealogical Research Society
Founded in 1936, the Irish Genealogical Research Society has been described by renowned professional genealogist John Grenham as the “great granddaddy of all Irish family history societies”. Membership is open to anyone interested in exploring their Irish heritage through the resources and support the society provides. For information about membership benefits, click here.
Visit the Irish Genealogical Research Society website to learn more about the Smythe-Wood newspaper collection and to search the database, click here.
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