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Land Records
The valuation of Ireland (technically known as the
Primary Valuation of Tenements) was completed
between the years 1847 and 1864 and has become known as Griffith's Valuation
partly because of the influence of its Director, Richard Griffith. This massive
project was undertaken to assess the payment of various local taxes by the
people of Ireland. These taxes were linked to the value of property occupied by
each tax payer. The results of the valuers' work were published in a series of
over 300 volumes detailing the names of all the property occupiers (not simply
owners) in Ireland and the value of their house and land.
Our Griffith's Valuation Records are located in: County of Monaghan, Barony of Farney, Union of Dundalk, Parish of Inniskeen, Townland of Ballakelly (note: BallAkelly versus BallYkelly) Page #234 in Book # 24
Tithes were taxes levied on the community for the benefit and upkeep of the Established Church. A valuation of the country was carried out under the 1823 Act to determine how much was payable by each landholder. While the information in the Tithe Books is basic, landholder name, area of land held and tithe payable they are very valuable as they constitute the only county-wide survey for this early period. Will post these records shortly.
The Valuation Office has two related sets of records which are very valuable to the family historian. (1) The cancelled land books and (2) the Current Land Books. These give details of all changes in the holdings from the time of Griffith's valuation up to the present day. the Books can be useful in pinpointing a possible date of death or emigration or in identifying a living relative. The Cancelled land books are similar to those of the published
valuation but observations made are handrwritten in on these. The observations
can show whether the size or physical structure of the holding were altered,
also the changes in the name of the landlord or occupier..this can show death or The Land Commission was created by the 1881 Land Act. Initially it was created to determine fair rents but its main purpose became to assist tenants to purchase their property. A Congested Districts Board was set up in 1891 and this had a similar function, but it was abolished by the Irish Government. in 1923 and its power transfered to the Land Commission. So, in the latter part of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century people who occupied land were able to buy that land. You will see an entry in the cancelled books showing 'In Fee' meaning that the occupier was now the owner. Also, on these you may see LAP: Land Act Purchase stamped on an entry, meaning that the occupier had been assisted in by the Lands Commission to purchase the land. To view a copy of the Ballakelly/Ballykelly
records, right click on date range below,
The Hearth Tax was levied on the basis of the number of hearths in each house; these Rolls list the householders' names, as well as this number. These Rolls relate to a controversial tax which has lived long in the memory of Irish people. In an effort to raise finance, the government levied a tax of two shillings on every hearth or fireplace in a house. The Rolls include the name and address of the householder, the number of hearths in each house and the tax due. Copies only survive for some counties. Inniskeen Hearth Money Rolls Record (click here)
The Civii Survey of 1654-56 was a welcome surprise find. I discovered this document while researching our family history project at The Clayton Library in Houston, Texas. The document describes the land boundaries of the Louth Barony in 1654-56. The Anglican spelling and descriptions of familiar townlands and counties makes for interesting and somewhat amusing reading. Take note of Ballakelly being mentioned (end of the first page). To view a copy of The Civil Survey
of 1654-56 for Louth Barony, right click on miniature copy below
During the 18th century Ireland, and in particular Ulster, established a reputation as a producer of fine linen. The economic implications were extremely important in that both agriculture and industry benefited. The climate and soil of Ireland were well suited to growing flax, the raw material for linen, so farmers and landowners naturally turned to the crop. Processing the flax through various stages on its way to linen - scutching, spinning, bleaching, beetling and weaving - provided work for many thousands in mill-towns across the country, and so linen became a major industry as well. At various times the government introduced special incentives to encourage the production of linen, usually in the form of spinning-wheels and looms. 1901 & 1911 Census Kirk / McGough
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