Find your ancestors in The Census of Elphin 1749

This dataset includes records for 19,820 households in the Diocese of Elphin in 1749. This information has been taken from The Census of Elphin 1749 edited by Marie-Lousie Legg, with a statistical analysis by Brian Gurrin, published in 2004 by the Irish Manuscripts Commission. The data is accompanied by digitised images of the full publication.

The information contained in this “census” is extraordinary for such an early date. It was compiled under the direction of the Church of Ireland Bishop Edward Synge, and lists all households, the names of the head of each household, their addresses, details of occupations, numbers of children, adults and servants, by age and religious denomination. The document gives a unique insight into rural Ireland in the mid-18th century.

The Diocese of Elphin diocese covers most of County Roscommon, plus parts of County Galway and County Sligo:

Co. Roscommon - 51 of the 59 parishes are included (excluded are Castlemore, Creagh, Drum, Kilcolman, Kilronan, Kiltullagh, Moore and Taghmaconnell),

Co. Galway - 8 parishes are included (Ahascragh, Ballynakill, Dunamon, Kilbegnet, Kilcroan, Killeroran, Killian, Killosolan)

Co. Sligo - 13 parishes are included (Aghanagh, Ahamlish, Ballynakill, Ballysumaghan, Drumcliff, Drumcolumb, Killadoon, Kilmacallan, Kilmactranny, Kilross, St John's, Shancough, Tawnagh).