Description

Tracing Your Kildare Ancestors by Karel Kiely, Mario Corrigan, and James Durney is a practical and authoritative guide to family history research in County Kildare. Published by Flyleaf Press as part of its acclaimed Tracing Your Ancestors series, the book provides a detailed overview of the records available for tracing families throughout the county and explains where they can be accessed and how to use them effectively.

Written by three researchers with extensive experience in Kildare genealogy, archives, and local history, the guide is suitable for both beginners and experienced family historians. It introduces readers to the principal genealogical sources used in Irish research, including:

• Parish baptism, marriage, and burial registers
• Civil birth, marriage, and death records
• The 1901 and 1911 Irish census returns
• Griffith’s Valuation and Tithe Applotment Books
• Estate and land records
• Wills and probate records
• Newspapers, directories, manuscripts, and local archives
• Online genealogy resources and repositories

The book also provides an overview of County Kildare’s social and administrative history, explaining how changes in parish boundaries, civil divisions, land ownership, and record keeping have influenced the survival of historical records. Maps, record examples, and illustrations help readers understand the county’s administrative structure and navigate historical documents with confidence.

Special attention is given to Kildare’s distinctive heritage, including its long association with the Curragh military camp, the Irish horse racing and equine industry, large landed estates, and the diverse communities that have shaped the county over the centuries. The guide also discusses common Kildare surnames and offers practical advice for overcoming common genealogical research challenges.

Combining historical background with clear research guidance, Tracing Your Kildare Ancestors is an invaluable reference for genealogists, local historians, and members of the Irish diaspora seeking to uncover their family connections in County Kildare.