Land records in Irish genealogy research can be challenging to find and to research, but they can reap great rewards. One of the most popular record sets for land research in Irish genealogy is the Primary Valuation of Ireland. The Primary Valuation of Ireland, also known as Griffith's Valuation, was an island-wide property survey undertaken by the British government beginning in 1830.
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Purpose of Primary Valuation of Ireland
The purpose of the survey was to value every field and building that existed throughout Ireland. Valuers were sent to counties where they travelled throughout and they not only noted the fields and buildings contained in the area, but they also noted the quality of the soil and the crops that were being cultivated on it. The valuers created maps which corresponded to the lands that they surveyed. These maps were created using the 6 inch to a mile key. They were very detailed and they mapped out individual holdings together with other features noted on the landscape.
The Primary Valuation contained the following information for each occupier of a holding. Each holding was numbered for the purpose of identifying it with an occupier. It gave the acreage, the valuation of the land, a separate valuation for any building contained within it and the total valuation of both land and buildings. The valuers also noted who the immediate lessor of the holding was and this was often the landlord or a land agent. Each county was completed and once completed, it was published. It took 16 years for all counties in Ireland to be finished and the published versions by county were completed between 1847-1864; for example, County Clare was completed on 28 June 1855 and County Limerick was completed on 20 December 1850.
Importance of Primary Valuation of Ireland in genealogical research
The Primary Valuation of Ireland is important for several reasons. Firstly, it recorded names of occupiers of holdings regardless of size throughout Ireland. This is significant as it can pinpoint a location for a person at a specific time in Ireland. Most of the names noted were those of men. Women were only noted if they were widowed and often, the term of widow was used.
Secondly, it noted holdings that were held and it often gave further details about the occupier and their work. For instance, if a forge was noted under the name of an occupier, that indicated that he had blacksmith skills. Thirdly, due to the destruction of most 19th century Irish censuses, the Primary Valuation has become a census substitute as it can locate a specific family in a specific location at a specific date.
The Primary Valuation is available to view at this link on the MyHeritage website. It can be searched by name (first and/or last), keyword (this can include forge, or a specific building if a family was noted with a trade), and also by townland, civil parish or county. Once a family is identified at a specific location, other sources such as the 1901 and 1911 Censuses can be used to trace them forward.
Explore more about Primary Valuation of Ireland
- Ireland, Griffith's Valuation, 1847-1864 record collection at MyHeritage
- Finding your ancestors in Irish land valuation records webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Genealogical Treasures in Irish Archives webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Foundations of Irish Genealogy 11: The Valuation Office webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars