Archives aren't just a bunch of dusty old papers - they make up our ‘community memory’. You can use archives to research a variety of topics, including family history and local history. Many archives are now available online so you can start your research at home.
PRONI is the main archive for Northern Ireland and holds millions of documents, most covering a period from around 1600 to the present day. These include valuable genealogical sources such as church registers, landed estates records, court records and wills.
When you visit PRONI, staff are on hand to help you get started by identifying which archives might hold the information you want. For more information on the services PRONI provides and starting your research, as well as access to our online archives, visit the PRONI website.
If you are just beginning your research, PRONI’s information leaflets, family and local history sections and the eCatalogue are a good place to start. These provide information and guides which will help you identify the documents you need to search. Some archives and indexes can be searched on the PRONI website (see PRONI’s online records section) however you will need to visit PRONI in person to view the contents of most records.
The General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) holds civil birth, death and marriage records. It also maintains a public search room where you can search computerised indexes.
The National Archives of Ireland and National Library of Ireland hold information mainly relating to the Republic of Ireland. The National Archives (TNA) UK also holds information relating to Irish history and genealogy, including military service records.
Many areas now have local and/or family history societies which you can join. Numerous websites hosting genealogical information are also available. Some of these can only be accessed on a subscription or pay-per-view basis, however many now offer full or partial access to sources free of charge. Libraries often hold sources for local and family history, particularly those which have a dedicated local studies section.
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