What's New

What's New

Library and Archives Canada Connects Canadians to their Irish roots

(Ottawa) Dec. 3, 2007 - Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce that its partner, the National Archives of Ireland (NAI), has launched the first phase of an online census research tool on life in Dublin in 1911.

LAC signed an agreement with the NAI in December 2005 and the two departments have been working to digitize the Irish Census returns for 1901 and 1911, making them accessible online through a database, free of charge. These records are searchable by typing a person's name. LAC's assistance included digitizing census microfilm reels, linking images to a database, and overseeing the creation of a nominal index.

Making these records accessible online will give genealogists and historians around the world the chance to explore the age, occupation, religion and marital status of individuals. It will also allow research on Irish society of the early 20^th century. The National Archives of Ireland have provided vibrant historical essays on topics such as social life, transport, education and literature and photographs depicting life in Dublin in 1911.

"With 70 million Irish Diaspora around the world, and up to one fifth of Canadians claiming Irish heritage, this project will connect even more people to their historical roots", stated Ian E. Wilson, Librarian and Archivist of Canada.

LAC and the NAI collaborated on other projects including the popular Web site The Shamrock and the Maple Leaf: Irish Canadian Documentary Heritage at Library and Archives Canada and an Irish Studies Symposium in Ottawa in 2006. There will be other events, and additional phases will be added to the census online, in the coming year.

To visit the Irish Census Online and the virtual exhibition on life in Dublin in 1911 (in English only): www.census.nationalarchives.ie. To view the Shamrock and the Maple Leaf or for information on LAC and NAI's partnership, go to www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ireland.

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Information:

Louisa Coates
Senior Communications Officer
Library and Archives Canada
819-934-5721

Pauline Portelance
Senior Media Relations Officer
Library and Archives Canada
819-994-4589

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For historical information visit: Archived What's New