1. C u m ann G e ine alais na h Éire ann
Genealogical Society of Ireland
Presentation prepared by
Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI
General Secretary
&
Fíona Tipple, MA, DipLib, DipGen, ALAI, MGSI
Senior Librarian
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2. Introduction to the Society
• Founded in 1990 in Dún Laoghaire
• Adopted present name in 1999
• Incorporated in 2000
• Received a Grant of Arms in 2001
• Nominating Body for Seanad Éireann
• Registered Educational Charity
• Irish and international membership
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3. Objective & Activities
• To promote the study of genealogy, heraldry and
social history as open access educational leisure
pursuits available to all ... through
• 12 Lectures and 11 discussion groups
• Publications – monthly, annual & occasional
• Archive & Research Centre – An Daonchartlann
• Courses – weekend genealogy courses
• Group projects – Irish DNA Atlas & others
• Advocacy – legislative matters & accessibility
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4. Public Policy Principle
• At its 1997 AGM the Society adopted the
important ‘Principle of Public Ownership and
Right of Access’ to our genealogical heritage.
• This is now accepted as the bedrock of good
practice by progressive institutions throughout
the State.
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5. Legislative Issues
Advocacy on legislative matters relating to genealogical
records and heritage issues since 1992 and covering
circa 20 Bills, including:

Statistics Act (1993)

Heritage Act (1995)

National Cultural Institutions Act (1997)

Civil Registration Act (2004)

Genealogy & Heraldry Bill (2006)

National Cultural Institutions (Amendment) Bill (2008)

Statistics (Heritage Amendment) Bill (2011)

Proposed integration of NAI, IMC and NLI

and many others.
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6. Legislative Programme
• The Society welcomes the inclusion in the Programme for
Government of commitments on the release of the 1926
census and the reform of the delivery of heraldic services.
• The National Archives Act, 1986 and the National Cultural
Institutions Act, 1997 require updating to meet the current and
future requirements of the institutions.
• Opportunity for the legislative integration of the NAI, IMC
and NLI in a new National Cultural & Archival Institutions
Bill which maintains these bodies as separate institutions.
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7. Genealogy – Resource or Product?
• The fundamental question!
• As a product genealogy benefits the few –
those who can afford to buy it and those
selling it.
• As a national resource genealogy has the
potential to benefit important sectors of the
economy and many communities throughout
the country in a sustainable manner.
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8. Sustainable National Resource
• Our genealogical heritage is part of what we are as a people
and it’s the cherished inheritance of over 70 million people
throughout the world.
• Genealogy is the ‘gateway’ or ‘introduction’ to Ireland and its
culture, heritage, goods and services for millions of potential
customers, clients, visitors and investors around the world.
• Genealogy is a sustainable national resource.
• To successfully compete with the growing trend towards ‘pay
for view’ genealogy, we should concentrate on developing and
marketing internationally accessible ‘free to view’ on-line
genealogical resources.
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9. Public Access
• The ‘Principle of Public Ownership & Right of Access’ to our
genealogical heritage is fundamental.
• Free public access must be maintained to all genealogical
records held by the State, Local Authorities and State funded
institutions.
• An enlightened and progressive approach to providing free
public access to historic records such as the Land Commission
records is essential.
• The paper and computerised genealogical records of the State
funded network of Heritage Centres should be transferred to
the custody of the County Librarians in each area.
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10. The Irish Diaspora
• Seventy Million and growing!
• The ‘Principle of Public Ownership & Right of Access’
extends to our diaspora.
• The promotion of an awareness, appreciation and knowledge
of Ireland’s genealogical heritage amongst our diaspora will
create a sustainable affinity and a purposeful connectivity with
Ireland’s past and present.
• This ‘gateway’ to Ireland should not be obstructed by virtue of
cost – access to their genealogical heritage must be free of
charge to maximize its appeal, its sustainability and its
potential for development.
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11. National Policy Required
• The delivery of genealogical services by the State institutions
and State funded NGOs is fragmentary and often simply an
adjunct to core functions.
• Genealogy is a valuable national resource and should be
developed, managed and promoted accordingly.
• Designation and preservation of genealogical records,
coordination in the delivery of services, maintenance of
standards, and the commitment to public access is essential.
• A national advisory body representing all stakeholders to
assist in the formulation of a National Policy on the Provision
of Genealogical Services and to advise on its implementation.
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12. An Bealach Romhainn
• Identification of key objectives
• Legislative reform – updating of 1986 National Archive and
1997 National Cultural Institutions Acts.
• Identification of stakeholder partnerships / collaborations
(State, semi-State, NGOs, commercial & voluntary sectors)
• Establishment of implementation processes, frameworks and
timetables
• Source sustainable funding streams
• Research, Innovation & Development – planning & strategies
• Formulation of a National Policy on the Provision of
Genealogical Services in Ireland.
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