The document discusses the Genealogical Society of Ireland and its role in promoting genealogy research. It summarizes that the Society was founded in 1990 and seeks to promote genealogy through educational activities, publications, and advocacy. It advocates for maintaining genealogical records as a public resource and ensuring free access for both Irish citizens and the global Irish diaspora. The Society calls for a national policy to better coordinate genealogical services across institutions and develop this resource in a sustainable way.

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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