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Sample Assessment: First in a series of reviews

© Leona MacDonald

Here's a sample report that Celtic Histories did for me. I'll be researching some of the other companies on-line in the following weeks and months. Hopefully you'll all feel a bit more brave in dealing with the Irish research companies that provide services on the net. I've edited the report to provide space. I also think you'll see why it may be a good idea to take advantage of some of these companies offers.

On receiving your ancestor's details Seán assess the information and how to attack the research. It's ready in 10-14 days and is free of charge.

Information Provided:

Griffen, Cathrine (1836 - 1916)
b. 18 JAN 1836 in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Catherine Griffin baptized same date as above to Jerh. Griffin and Mary Breen in Killarney.

Research Assessment:

Griffin: has almost entirely superseded the earlier Griffey. The main sept is of Thomond. Another was located near Kenmare. (The Surnames of Ireland - MacLysaght)

Matheson, 1890: Griffin (216) - Leinster, 31; Munster, 133; Ulster, 16; Connacht, 36.

Catherine Griffin, b. 18 January 1836, Killarney, C. Kerry

Having Catherine's baptism record is a huge advantage as it means that we already have both of her parents' names, including her mother's maiden name. This means that we can search through the baptism records of the parish of Killarney confident that it will be possible to identify any of her siblings that appear in the parish register. The records of the parish of Killarney have survived from 1792 and though they are not quite complete (baptisms March-May 1854 and marriages May 1851-January 1858 are missing) they should contain a lot of information on Catherine's family.

Obviously the starting point is to search through the church records for siblings of Catherine Griffin. Griffin is quite a common name in Co. Kerry but as we know her mother's name it will be possible to identify which Griffins are relevant. When the baptism records dry up it will be time to search for the marriage record of her parents - Jeremiah Griffin and Mary Breen. There is of course no guarantee that the couple married in the parish of Killarney but this would be the first place to look.

The best strategy is to search from the earliest baptism record and if a marriage record does not emerge within 10-15 years then the likelihood is that they married elsewhere. Assuming that they did marry in Killarney, and that their marriage record is located, one should expect both their parents' names included. Armed with this information it is