Local history with Monica McGill: Don’t discard those precious documents found in the attic!

RESEARCHING in Tallaght Library on another project recalled the increasing number of people who are tracing their ancestors these days.

It may start with the process of clearing out the home of a relation, and a clutch of old documents and photographs (long forgotten, perhaps, in the attic, for instance) is discovered.

These days, the description “old” can end up with such things being discarded.

Sometimes they’re kept, to be looked at in more detail later.

So, if you’re looking for information about your family’s history and general circumstances, here are a few suggestions.

1.Start with your family Start with the older members of your family.

Tell them what you’re doing, and why. Tactfully, respectfully, see what they recall of their own life, their parents and other relatives.

They might like to collaborate with you on the project.

If possible, record what is said by writing it down (preferably at the time, so you don’t make mistakes).

If you’re recording memories on tape, please obtain your family member’s permission beforehand. Don’t worry if the information is unclear or appears contradictory.

The flow of the older person’s story can be more important and interesting than interrupting it.

Details can be confirmed later via more formal resources (see below).

You probably won’t get all the information you want at one sitting.

Sometimes remembering can be an exhausting process, so be understanding.

Old family photographs These are great for seeing what people looked like and for refreshing old memories.

The older person may be able to identify the people and places in these photos if you can’t.

Unfortunately, old photographs can be discarded because no-one knows anything about the images and so important social history may be lost.

If you have photographs of family members, it’s good to record who is in the picture, and where, when and why it was taken.

Old family artefacts Perhaps you have access to an old piece of jewellery, an old trinket or some old tools from a past generation.

These can be good memory joggers about who wore them or used them in bygone days.

Remember to photograph the items and record the received information before you return the items to their owners.

2.Research via South Dublin Libraries Both general and individual information are available via our local libraries.

Information accessed in or through our libraries is freely available to library members, but a visit to the library may be necessary to view it online.

The South Dublin Library Online Resources webpage lists many useful genealogy sites, as well as serving other educational and hobby interests.

It gives lots of good information and advice about researching your family and a recommended way to do it.

The Online Resources webpage advises that “South Dublin Libraries has access to online services to enhance learning and personal development as well as for research purposes.

“These services can be accessed online or in branch libraries on public access PCs.”

Accessing most of their online resources requires your valid South Dublin Library card, the PIN you chose when you joined, and an email address.

Ask at your local library beforehand if you have to make an appointment to use their public PCs.

Newspaper archives and academic journals General information includes researching newspaper archives and articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Newspaper archives provide contemporary, “in the moment” accounts of events as perceived at the time, and can sometimes include reports that mention individuals.

Peer-reviewed academic journals (such as JSTOR) can provide reliable background information about people’s circumstances.

They publish articles which have been deemed reliable by experts in the relevant area of research.

These articles are more considered and scholarly than newspaper reports, partly because they have been written at a distance of some years from events, but also because they refer to other research that has been undertaken on the same subject (which is another possible area of general research).

Access to these academic journals or databases can also be free if you’re a student of an educational institution which is registered with them.

Otherwise, a fee is usually charged to see what’s available.

Local information groups Ask at your library if there are any local genealogy groups or local history societies who might help with general information.

These are valuable information sources, not only about the local history of where they hold their meetings, but also because their members generously share information about other places to look.

Fortunately, Clondalkin has two such groups: the Clondalkin History Society and the Library Genealogy Group.

Except in summer, the Clondalkin History Society hold monthly lectures in Áras Chrónáin on Watery Lane.

Non-members pay a small fee at the door. The Library Genealogy Group is free.

They meet all year-round on the third Thursday of every month at 6.30pm in Clondalkin Library, Monastery Road.

Their conversational meetings are informal and they share information willingly.

3.Other formal research about individual ancestors Another source to research individual ancestors is the Government-supported online portal.

There’s a “Get Help” section, and entry to a search of Church and Civil Records, as well as lots more.

Other resources are linked too, for instance, our National Archives, National Library, Registry of Deeds, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and more.

The first three are in Dublin City, and you can arrange with them to see many original documents, usually by appointment.

4.Storage Do keep genealogical documents, photos and information about their sources in an acid-free environment to preserve them properly.

Acid-free paper is available in art supply shops (a bit pricey, but worth buying).

A sheet placed between each document in a folder will do until you find a supplier of acid-free, museum-quality storage boxes.

Go online to see what’s available.

Avoid using plastic boxes or ones that have holes for easy handling. If all else fails, ask in your local museum or library.

They may have the information you need.

A personal footnote

Thankfully, we asked my father once about his side of the family.

From memory, he wrote the details of many generations almost without hesitation, and even information about their destinations when they emigrated.

He recalled hilarious family stories and events as he wrote.

Did we record them?

You know the answer.

How I wish we had.

Good luck with your research – and keep going!