Can an irish geneologist please help me find my ancestors?

Question

We have been trying to trace our ancestors for a birthday present to our Mum. I have managed to find her Grandparents on her mothers side of the family, Thomas English Born approx 1865 in Stratford Co. Wicklow Ireland and his wife Mary Feehan Born approx 1861 in the city of Dublin. I would love to find either or both of their parents but am finding it really hard, i would be so grateful to anyone that can help.

Answer 1

You could try this website www.familysearch.org I have find quite a few records of my father's ancestors there

Answer 2

You could try Ancestry.com they have a free 14 day trial.

Answer 3

Sad to say, but that is quite probably about as far as you will get.  The reason unfortunately is a little thing called the 1922 civil war, when a large explosion in the neighbouring Four Courts building in Dublin destroyed the Irish Public Record Office.  Most of the stuff that is of real use to genealogists went up in flames that very day.  If you get back to about 1850 in Ireland then you are doing well.  Civil registration I think began in 1865 so it is unlikely you'll find a proper birth certificate (these do survive as they were held elsewhere).  Ireland can be a really difficult country to work in, especially with common first names and/or surnames and no precise locations to work with.  I'm not surprised you're having problems.  Even the professionals struggle in this part of the world.  The records just aren't there, so unless you have a family bible or know of a family headstone in a graveyard, the odds of success in 19thC Ireland and earlier are pretty slim.  I hate being the bearer of bad tidings, but that's just how it is.  Join the club!