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Galway Family History Society West Ltd.

For further assistance regarding research contact the following
(research is fee based) 
    Galway Family History Society West Ltd.
Venture Centre
Liosbaun Retail Centre
Tuam Road
Galway
Co. Galway
Ireland
Tel: + + 353 91 756737
Services

This centre offers a full research service to enquirers.

Church records in the West Galway area have various starting dates.:

  • The Roman Catholic records commence between 1789 and 1872 depending on the parish.
  • Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopalian) records commence between 1808 and 1841.
  • Records of the Presbyterian Church commence in 1833.
  • Records of the Methodist Church commence between 1836 and 1860.
  • Civil records from their inception to 1922.
  • Electors lists.
  • Detailed Parish and Townland maps.
  • Gravestone inscriptions
  • Indexed directories (Slater's, Pigot's and Thom's)
  • Parochial censuses (the oldest of which dates from 1821), lists of subscribers from the 1840's.
  • Newspaper obituaries.
  • Encumbered Estates Court rentals.
  • Workhouse.
The centre has built up an extensive collection of local family history publications. A gravestone indexation project is currently in progress and staff have access to the holdings of the County and University College Galway libraries.

Initial enquiries are answered within one week and the centre has access to over a million records

Some Galway Surnames

The chief surnames in West Galway include: Joyce, Conneely, Burke, O'Malley, McDonagh, Flaherty, Faherty, Mannion, Wlash and King.

Boston's Mayor James Michael Curley has West Galway family roots as has the actor Macauley Culkin, former Beatle Paul McCartney, Col. Reilly founder of the famous San Patricio Brigade and Archbishop Cooke of New York.