As I posted earlier this week, we got the annual update to Irishgenealogy.ie with 1925 births, 1950 marriages and 1975 deaths. Annoyingly, the press release mentioned that the site had deaths from 1864 onwards, yet contradicts itself by stating further down that they only have deaths from 1871.
At some point last autumn, even the indexes to pre-1871 deaths went missing. They were in the original format still found on the commercial sites and FamilySearch (registration district, year, quarter of year, volume, page). Although the indexes are allegedly back, I don’t believe they are complete. A search for anyone called Murphy who died between 1864-1870 only returns 13 results! (11386 Murphys died in that time according the index on Findmypast). An earlier version of this post has been updated (18/2/2026) to reflect that Irishgenealogy does now appear to have restored all the early death indexes to the site.
Theresa Logan, my example, was missing before, but is now back, see the below examples.
The Dept of Culture, Communications and Sport, who run Irishgenealogy.ie had initially replied saying the indexes were there but when I sent further feedback and examples, they admitted there was an issue. They provided me with an update again today stating they have restored the indexes and are ready for the images, whenever they get them. (Click for alt text). It’s great to get a prompt response. Indeed, the Murphys are back to nearly 10000 entries for the years 1864-1870!
I also emailed the General Register Office, who also promptly got back to me. I’ve redacted the responder’s name for privacy.
What shall we do about it?
Here’s a few workarounds:
- For people in Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh & Tyrone (modern-day Northern Ireland), go straight to GRONI. You will have to pay £2.50 for an image, but you will get immediate access.
- Several counties have transcribed the civil records on Rootsireland (check the Online Sources list by county before subscribing!) A day sub costs €15.
- Waterford Library has the civil death registers for there online. The link is actually not working at present but I’ve chased them up on fixing it. Including it in this list in the hope it will be fixed soon.
- Use the indexes on Familysearch, Findmypast, Ancestry or MyHeritage to identify a potential record and then order a copy for €5 by emailing GROresearchroom@welfare.ie
- Familysearch also has a couple of extracted collections that might get you a bit more data
- Ireland Deaths 1864-1870
- This catalogue link is actually what we want but I think this is only accessible in Salt Lake City on microfilm (I’ve previously looked at them) *
- This is the index that goes with the above smaller collection. Here’s the additional detail about my Theresa Logan example.
Complain!
Here’s the two email addresses:
- genealogy@ccs.gov.ie
- GROhelpdesk@welfare.ie
*Edit to add from a knowledgeable poster on Facebook who volunteers with Familysearch in Salt Lake City.
From Thom’s 1868 – 10 Pitt Street, Dublin City, William Logan musician
Teresa’s buried in Glasnevin (dctrust.ie) – same address listed
Thanks Shane!
I had a response from an Exec. Officer in the GRO saying my request for info would be passed to management for attention. It’s important to remember when dealing with civil servants to ask precise questions, otherwise a general question will receive a general imprecise response.
Excellent point, Bob. I was going to follow up with a Freedom of Information request.