Did Ireland hold census? - Genealogists' Forum

Val in Oz · #1 12-10-09, 08:34

I have just discovered that a 'missing' family of ours may have gone to Ireland
around 1838, when the husband was discharged from the Army.

I have no knowledge of research in Ireland at all and was wondering if Ireland held regular census, and is there anywhere I could search for the family?

I would appreciate any help with this one. Many thanks

kiterunner · #2 12-10-09, 08:37

Yes, they did have Irish censuses but unfortunately the only ones that have survived are the 1901 and 1911. The 1911 is available free online:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

They're currently working on the 1901. There are a very few bits of some of the other censuses which have survived, but mostly you have to use "census substitutes" such as Griffith's Valuation which is available on a few different sites.

If you put up the names you have I'll see if I can find anything.

HarrysMum · #3 12-10-09, 09:06

Val.....I did have the link to the 1851 Irish census but it went with the computer crash...

I don't think it's every county, but I'm sure they had either Kerry or Cork because I found one of mine.

HarrysMum · #4 12-10-09, 09:08

There's a few here, Val.

http://www.failteromhat.com/cork1851.php

Val in Oz · #5 12-10-09, 09:35

Thankyou ladies, no luck with the surname so far, but I shall keep searching that website

Kite - the names I have are Hannah Semain born 1837 in Plymouth and a James Semain born c.1841 in Cork
The father of Hannah was John Semain who was discharged from the Army in Plymouth in 1837, and I think he may also be the father of James. I have found no marriage for John, but think that maybe he moved the family to Ireland from Plymouth as I can find no other records of him in the UK at all. Hannah either

The next time I find the young people is in 1881 census in Lancashire - Hannah has married Attiwell Birchfield in Ireland in 1864, and the Semain and Birchfield families seem to have removed themselves to Lancashire.
I found Hannah's father's name on her marriage cert - he was a pensioner which also led me to think that he may have been pensioned out of the Army which he had served in for 23 years. He was discharged due to ill health 'contracted in and by the service.'

Thankyou

kiterunner · #6 12-10-09, 10:09

But if Hannah was born in Plymouth doesn't that mean her parents are likely to have got married in England before the family moved to Ireland?

kiterunner · #7 12-10-09, 10:13

So is James the James Semaine who is listed on the IGI, born 1 Aug 1841, christened 8 Aug 1841 Macroom, Cork, Ireland, parents John and Kitty?

kiterunner · #8 12-10-09, 10:15

There is also an Elizabeth Semaine born 14 Jul 1840, christened 1840 at Macroom, same parents.

kiterunner · #9 12-10-09, 10:21

James Semaine's baptism is on the Irish Family History Foundation site, and it's possible that if you pay to view the record there will be more information than is on the IGI, but it may turn out not to have any extra info. Unfortunately the only way to find out is to pay:

http://ifhf.brsgenealogy.com/index.php?&set=yes

Val in Oz · #10 12-10-09, 10:49

Kite, thankyou so much, how come I didn't find it when I went on to the IGI this afternoon? Mind you I find it a difficult site to trawl through, but even so!!!!

This is a big help and gives us another step to follow, I am most grateful, many thanks.