Via: uk.ac.queens-belfast.vax2; Fri, 28 Aug 1992 15:20:23 +0100
Newsgroups: soc.roots
Date:         Fri, 28 Aug 1992 15:20:00 GMT
Reply-To:     "G.MULVENNA" <OSG1688@VAX2.QUEENS-BELFAST.AC.UK>
From:         "G.MULVENNA" <OSG1688@VAX2.QUEENS-BELFAST.AC.UK>
Subject:      Irish Genealogical Project (IGP)
Comments: To: ROOTS-L <ROOTS-L@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

Has anyone heard about the Irish Genealogical Project (IGP) which aims to
computerise Irish civic and church records, in order to make them available
at heritage centres throughout the island of Ireland.

I only heard about it through a radio piece about the Irish Homecoming
Festival, which is happening in September.  I sent away for information -
and the good news is that the IGP is offering an "interim research service"
to assist those on their way for the Homecoming events - but the bad news
is that the service only operated until 1 August 1992 and that they were
charging 15 pounds ($28) just for an initial assessment.  Here is what
their glossy one-page application form says:

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"NOW IS THE TIME TO COMMENCE YOUR SEARCH INTO YOUR FAMILY HISTORY"

"The Irish Genealogical Project (IGP) is currently computerising major
family history sources in Ireland and in association, Irish Professional
Genealogists, will ultimately provide a comprehensive research service.
A great deal of work remains to be done.  In the meantime, to assist
those interested in researching their ancestors before visiting Ireland
for the Homecoming Festival, the IGP is offering an interim research service
which will combine the records already indexed and computerised to provide
detailed genealogical research on your ancestors in Ireland."


"THIS SERVICE WILL OPERATE ONLY UNTIL AUGUST 1 - 1992"

"Before we can begin research for you however, we need to find out precisely
what you already know about your Irish roots.  Overleaf you will find a
Research Form, asking you for details of your ancestor or ancestors.  You
should fill this out as best you can.  You may not have all the information
requested, but even one specific detail may be enough for us to uncover
earlier generations of your family."

"We will carry out an assessment on the possibility of research, and put
you in touch with the agency most appropriate to carry out that research."

"The fee for this initial assessment will be 15 pounds."

"WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING BACK TO THE LAND OF YOUR ANCESTORS."

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The Research form requests the following info: Name of Irish born ancestor,
Date of birth of ancestor (approx), Place of birth of ancestor (towland,
parish, county), religion of ancestor, parents of ancestor (date and place of
marriage), brothers and sisters of ancestor (dates and places of birth),
occupation of ancestor, name of ancestor's spouse, date and place of marriage,
ancestor's children (names, dates and places of birth), ancestor's date of
departure from Ireland, any additional information.

Two addresses are given for the IGP:

Project Manager, IGP,
1 Clarinda Park North,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin,
Ireland

Project Manager, IGP,
Ulster American Folk Park,
Omagh
Co. Tyrone,
Ireland

It is exciting to hear that computerisation has finally arrived for Irish
records, but the cost of 15 pounds just for an assessment does not augur
well for the future accessibility of these records.

Gerry Mulvenna (osg1688@v2.qub.ac.uk)
Belfast, Ireland