Journey Home Genealogy

Irish Genealogical Research | Dwight Radford

Call Today! 801.699.2450

Or send us an Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ireland
  • United States
    • American Genealogy (general)
    • Native American
    • African American
  • Canada
  • International Genealogy
    • England and Wales
    • Scotland
    • Other Research
  • Research Services
  • Research Proposal

Finding Your Ancestor’s Home Site

25 May By Dwight Leave a Comment

Step 1 – Finding the ancestor in Griffth’s Primary Valuation (in this case Lot #6)[/caption]One aspect of Irish research I find very attractive is the fact it is possible in many cases to locate the exact home site in Ireland where your ancestors lived. To me this is more personal than being able to trace your ancestors back to the Middle Ages.

As a genealogist, I’ve had the honor of tracing many ancestral home sites for clients. It’s as personal for me as the researcher taking pictures for my clients, as it has been for the client. Now how is locating the exact plot of ground accomplished?

The first step is to realize you need a townland where your ancestors lived.  Tax lists such as Griffith’s Primary Valuation (1847-64) not only provide the lot number within the townland where the house was located, but there are maps showing you where that particular lot was located within the townland. Even if your ancestors immigrated a hundred years before Griffith’s Valuation, it is often still possible to trace a plot of ground into the Griffith’s tax lists.

For me, this is the personal aspect of identifying and then setting foot on the site. Even if it’s only a cow or sheep pasture today, it doesn’t matter to me. I am seeing what the ancestors saw and walking where they walked.

My graphics for this blog feature the sequence of research steps on a case I did in Ballygambon Lower, Whitechurch Parish, County Waterford. It includes finding the family in Griffith’s, working with the Griffith’s Map and then going onsite taking a picture.

Filed Under: Irish Ancestry Tagged With: Historical, Land Records, Research, Tax Records

About Dwight

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Dwight A. Radford

Dwight A. Radford is a professional family history researcher. Along with his staff they specialize in Ireland, England, Canada, African American, Native American, and United States. Connecting families together through historical documents and then creating a cherished family heirloom published book for generations to enjoy. Full bio…

Follow Our Blog

Blog

  • How do You Determine the Associates of Your Ancestor?
  • When to Jump Over the Water in Your Research
  • Grand Lodge of Ireland Membership Records Online

Online Course

  • My Courses
  • Courses
  • My Account

Contact

  • About
  • Contact
  • Research Services

Journey Home Geneology © 2023 · Designed by GO Marketing