Diocesan Archives
The archive constitutes a small but important collection, the bulk of which, in common with most other Irish dioceses, relates to the 19th and 20th centuries: though not exclusively as there is some material from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Black Book of Limerick, dating in part from the 14th century, includes transcripts of 12th century documents relating to the diocese. Included in the archive are the papers of successive bishops of Limerick beginning with E.T. O'Dwyer in 1886. The Limerick Diocesan Archive seeks to preserve these records, making them available to the diocese, its people and to researchers as appropriate. Access to the archive is by appointment only.
Diocesan Archivist: David Bracken
Address: Limerick Diocesan Office, Social Services Centre, Henry St., Limerick.
Tel: 061-315856 Fax: 061-310186 Email: david@ldo.ie
Search for (please click on the word/phrase you are interested in):
- A brief history of the Diocese of Limerick
- A particular parish history
- A particular church by name or by geography
Genealogy
Parish Baptismal and Marriage registers are not held in a central repository: they are conserved in individual parishes. For conservation reasons, direct access to the registers is reserved to parish personnel. While parish staff make every effort to faciltate researchers, they are unable to prioritise the ever-increasing number of queries: bearing in mind also, that searches can take some time. Access extends to entries up to and including 1910. Alternatively, Limerick Genealogy (see below) has access to pre-1900 church records. Researchers should also be aware that microfilm copies of parish registers are available in the National Library. Find below, a list of sites as an aid to research.
Where to begin?
National Archives of Ireland: a guide to resources for researching the family tree.
Irish Genealogy: exploring your Irish family history step-by-step.
Looking in Limerick
Limerick City Archives: with an online collections database, notably Mount St. Lawrence Burial Ground registers, 1855 - 2008 and Mount St. Lawrence, New Extension, February 1960 - April 2010.
Limerick City Library: Local Studies.
Limerick County Library: Local Studies.
Limerick Genealogy: the Irish Family History Foundation's designated centre for Limerick city and county, provides a full and professional research service for enquirers. Initial correspondence usually receives a reply within two weeks. Church records to which Limerick Genealogy has access include:
the earliest Catholic parish records date from 1745,
the earliest Church of Ireland records date from 1692,
Presbyterian records from 1828 and Methodist records from 1824.
In addition the centre has access to:
Civil records, Property evaluation records and
University of Limerick Special Collections Library: the Leonard collection of books on Limerick City and County is of particular interest.
Looking in Ireland
Irish Archives Resource contains information about archival collections open for public research in Ireland. Its purpose is to aid researchers in finding collections relevant to their studies.
Learn About Archives in Ireland: a practical information service on archival material and archives in Ireland.
Placenames database of Ireland
The Irish Archives: an internet based family history research tool with links to a cross section of sources.
The Irish Family History Foundation provides a gateway to Irish ancestry, roots, genealogy and family history from anywhere in Ireland.
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