Donegal Ancestry provides a comprehensive genealogy service for people at home and abroad who want to trace their Donegal roots. They have been collecting and computerising genealogy records for over thirty years and have compiled a database of almost 1 million records from the primary genealogy sources for Co. Donegal.

In July 2024, due to the upcoming retirement of Joan Patton, the manager of Donegal Ancestry, the board of Donegal Ancestry agreed to reach out to a number of qualified groups requesting expressions of interest in operating the service in the future. A number of proposals were received, and after many meetings it was eventually agreed that Donegal Ancestry would move to Lifford Old Courthouse.

For more than 30 years, LATCH CLG has operated Lifford Old Courthouse as a place for the whole community to use and enjoy. The group was founded to preserve this historic building and to create local employment. These aims remain at the heart of their work today, alongside their commitment to promoting arts, heritage, culture and community life throughout Lifford and the surrounding area.

Lifford Old Courthouse stands in the heart of Lifford, County Donegal, and has long been one of the region’s most significant historic buildings. Designed by the local architect Michael Priestley and completed in 1746, it was built so that a circuit assizes judge could finally sit in the county. Beneath the Courthouse lay The County Gaol, a cramped basement space used to confine debtors, felons and, in later years, those described at the time as ‘lunatics’. This original gaol remained in use until a larger jail was constructed beside the Courthouse in 1793. That new building handled increasing numbers of prisoners until its demolition in 1907. The Courthouse itself continued to host trials until 1938.

After a period of decline, the building was partially restored in the late 1980s and later fully renovated, reopening in 1994 as an award-winning Heritage Centre. Since sections of Lifford Old Courthouse first reopened in 1994, LATCH CLG, which operates the centre, has worked continuously to bring every part of the building back into use. This goal was achieved in 2019 with the completion of a major renovation project, led by the centre manager, Gillian Graham, that transformed the Courthouse into a modern, accessible facility.

LATCH operates Lifford Old Courthouse as a not-for-profit group, with all income reinvested into improving their facilities and creating employment. The company now employs more than 20 people and continue to develop and invest in projects that support the people of Lifford and the surrounding area.

In 2025, Lifford Old Courthouse opened the new Lifford Museum. The Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore Donegal’s heritage in one place, within one of the county’s most iconic historic buildings.

The museum brings together three important heritage collections: the County Donegal Historical Society Collection, formerly housed in Rossnowlagh; the Donegal Ancestry Collection, previously located in Ramelton; and artefacts from Lifford Old Courthouse itself.

Exhibits span thousands of years of history, from the Stone Age and Bronze Age through Penal Times and the 18th and 19th centuries. Displays also explore Irish independence and Ireland’s cultural influence across Europe, with visitors able to view copies of the Book of Ballymote and The Annals of the Four Masters. Highlights include artefacts linked to Napper Tandy, the Irish revolutionary; Nurse Catherine Black, a royal nurse from Donegal; and fine examples of Muckish Glassware.

In March 2026, after a long moving process, Donegal Ancestry finally began operating again. The service is now managed by Gillian Graham, and responsible for research is Luke Maxwell.

More information is available at donegalancestry.com or liffordoldcourthouse.com. Donegal Ancestry con be contacted by phone: +353 (0) 74 9141733 or by email: info@donegalancestry.com

Friday 13 March, 16:00-17:00 (GMT)
11:00:am (EST) / 3:00am (AEDT) / 5:00am (NZDT)

Over the centuries, millions of people have left Ireland for a new life in another part of the world. With a
particular focus on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this illustrated presentation explores how we
can find out more about our emigrant ancestors from Irish records. The talk will highlight the potential value of church records, census returns, landed estate papers, testamentary papers, workhouse records,
gravestone inscriptions, newspapers and Valuation records, to name a few, in helping us to understand
when, where, why and how our ancestors left these shores.

Presented by Dr William Roulston, Research Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation, this lecture is free
to attend but registration is advised to secure your place.

The talk will be also be recorded for those of you unable to join live.

Click here for more information 

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day by taking out a 12-month subscription for RootsIreland with 25% off from 4th March to 31st March 2026!

Why take out a subscription to Roots Ireland?

• RootsIreland have the most complete and most accurate set of Roman Catholic church records online, as well as millions of Protestant records, civil records, census records, headstone inscriptions and census substitutes. Our index is easily searchable and has features such as standardised surname and forename searches which make your searches even more user-friendly.
• We hold over 23 million records, and our database is being added to continually. Since 2020, we have added over 1 million records to our database from Limerick, Clare, Sligo, Kerry, Wicklow, Westmeath, Kilkenny, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Monaghan, Armagh, North Mayo, Cork, Laois, Offaly and Galway. Last year we added almost 170,000 records from Kerry, Monaghan, Cork, Antrim, Down, Wexford, Dublin, Fermanagh and Tipperary. New records are continually being added to our database throughout the year, which are announced as they happen.
• Together, our 31 genealogy centres have an unparalleled amount of local knowledge which can be invaluable to those tracing their ancestors, a service which no other website or company can provide to such a high standard. By taking out a subscription with RootsIreland, you are helping these centres to continue to provide a world-class service and securing many Irish jobs.

If you have any questions please check our Help section and if this does not provide an answer, then you may contact us or one of the county centres. You can check what is available on our site for each county here.

*Offer applies from 4 March 2026 to 12 midnight Irish time on 31 March 2026 only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

New Youtube video: Researching Ulster ancestors after 1800:
twenty key points to consider

The nineteenth century marks a turning point for family historians researching Ulster ancestors. This talk, delivered by Dr William Roulston, author of the bestselling research guide Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600–1800 and of the forthcoming publication Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800–1914, explores what makes this period distinct, from major social and economic change to the rapid expansion of record-keeping.
Focusing on the years after 1800, Dr Roulston explores twenty key points including the evolution of record keeping, land ownership changes, and societal developments. This informative video is ideal for beginners and more experienced researchers alike and offers practical guidance and fresh perspectives on uncovering Ulster ancestors in the nineteenth century.

Click here to view the video on Youtube

Researching Your Ulster Ancestors after 1800

The nineteenth century marks a turning point for family historians researching Ulster ancestors. Delivered by Dr William Roulston, research director of the Ulster Historical Foundation, and author of the bestselling research guide Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600–1800 and of the forthcoming publication Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800–1914, this talk, which takes place on 29^th January 2026 at 3 pm explores what makes this period distinct, from major social and economic change to the rapid expansion of record-keeping.

Focusing on the years after 1800, it will introduce key sources such as civil registration, census returns, church records, valuation records, and newspapers, and explain how they can be used together to build a clearer picture of ancestors’ lives. Ideal for beginners and more experienced researchers alike, this talk will offer practical guidance and fresh perspectives on uncovering Ulster ancestors in the nineteenth century.

This lecture is free to attend but registration is advised to secure your place. The talk will be also be recorded for those of you unable to join live.

Click here for more information

 

We are delighted to announce the addition of 8278 nineteenth-century census substitute records for County Kildare to the Roots Ireland database! They are as follows: 

• Slater’s Trade Directories for Co. Kildare, 1846 and 1881 (3,234 records);
• Thom’s Directories, 1849 and 1854 (511 records);
• Voters’ Lists of Qualifying Freeholders and Leaseholders from the Leinster Express newspaper, of 1836 (4,533 records).

Commercial and trade directories are an invaluable source of information family history research for the late eighteenth to the twentieth century in Ireland. They list professional services, gentry, police, clergy, public officials, and military personnel, and often include outlying areas and smaller towns, offering a snapshot of commercial, private, and administrative life. Provincial and county directories, such as Slater’s National Commercial Directory of Ireland, are particularly useful. They provide names, occupations, and addresses of individuals, including church and school staff.

Between 2005-2011 the Kildare Local Studies department of Kildare Library Service extracted individual records pertaining to Co. Kildare from Slater’s Trade Directories of 1846 and 1881, and Thom’s Directories, 1849 and 1854. These sources offer a snapshot of life in Co. Kildare between the Famine (1839-1845) and the Local Government Act of 1898. Another wonderful source for family and local history are local newspapers; Kildare Local Studies extracted individual records from the Leinster Express newspaper of 1836 pertaining to Co. Kildare voters.

For an up to date list of sources for Kildare and to search these records, go to rootsireland.ie/kildare and login or subscribe as required.

Don’t miss out on our special offer running now – 25% off a twelve month subscription!

 

 

Why take out a subscription to Roots Ireland?

RootsIreland have the most complete and most accurate set of Roman Catholic church records online, as well as millions more Protestant records, civil records, census records, headstone inscriptions and census substitutes. Our index is easily searchable and has features such as standardised surname and forename searches which make your searches even more user-friendly.
We hold over 23 million records, and our database is being added to continually. In 2025 alone, we have added over 168,000 records from Antrim, Down, Kerry, Tipperary, Fermanagh, Wexford, Dublin, Monaghan and Cork. In 2024, we added over 154,000 records from Monaghan, Kerry, Armagh, Mayo, Clare and Tipperary. 
Together, our 32 genealogy centres have an unparalleled amount of local knowledge which can be invaluable to those tracing their ancestors, a service which no other website or company can provide to such a high standard. By taking out a subscription with RootsIreland, you are helping these centres to continue to provide a world-class service and securing many Irish jobs.
If you have any questions please check our Help section and if this does not provide an answer, then you may contact us or one of the county centres. You can check what is available on our site for each county here.

*Offer applies from 21st November 2025 to 12 midnight Irish time on 11th December 2025 only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Unlock Your Irish Ancestry:

Register for an Online Genealogy Course Today!

Ulster Historical Foundation’s next Online Genealogy Course is set to begin on 09 November, 2025

From curious newcomers to experienced researchers, everyone will find fresh perspectives and practical guidance to deepen your understanding of your Irish family history.

Irish Genealogy Essentials takes all the key components of the Foundation’s normal in-person courses and makes them available digitally allowing participants to complete the programme at their own pace and from the comfort of their own home.

Since launching in 2020, hundreds of participants have taken part — many saying how useful the course was, how much they learned, and how glad they were to have signed up. Even those who thought they already knew a lot about genealogy were pleasantly surprised by how much more there was to discover.

New for 2025-26

• Unlike our previous courses, Ulster Historical Foundation’s 2025-26 course has been expanded and now includes over 30 lectures!
• Get the chance to sit down and have a one-to-one virtual consultation with one of Ulster Historical Foundation’s genealogists.*
• During the consultation you will receive personal research advice and guidance from an experienced member of the Foundation’s dedicated team who will use their knowledge and archival experience to help solve your family tree puzzle.
• Interactive digital “workshop” session, demonstrating the practical use of online resources

* Note: the personal consultations will be scheduled once the course has concluded.

What to expect?

• Explore Your Roots from Anywhere: The beauty of this online course is that it can be accessed from the comfort of your home, regardless of where you are in the world. No need to travel or make time-consuming visits to archives and libraries; we bring Ireland’s history and your ancestors to your fingertips.
• Learn from the Experts: Irish Genealogy Essentials is led by seasoned genealogists and researchers who have the knowledge and expertise to break down any brick walls you may have encountered and assist you in your family history research. 
• Comprehensive Programme: This course consists of 30 pre-recorded lectures (over 28 hours of content) on essential topics relating to Irish genealogical research. Topics include: Irish land divisions; Church Records; Landed estate papers; Census substitutes; and much more.
• Interactive Discussions: Engage in lively discussions and ask questions to the course lecturers during the different Q and A sessions that will be scheduled during the programme. Connect with a like-minded community, ask questions, and learn from one another.
• Practical Skills: This course doesn’t just give you information; it equips you with practical skills. You’ll learn how to critically analyze sources, and discover how to navigate the challenges of Irish family history research
• Take the First Step: Don’t let the complexity of Irish genealogy deter you. Register today and gain the knowledge and confidence you need to tackle your research projects effectively.
• Cost: Priced at £374.99 this Irish Genealogy Essentials online course takes all the key components of Ulster Historical Foundations normal in-person courses and makes them available digitally 
• Course Dates: 09 November 2025 – 31 January 2026

Click here to register