On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Irish Emigration Library will be open from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm for you to research your family history.  Come and meet with other members who can help you with your questions and genealogical search.

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The library is closed in December.

 In addition to the third Wednesday of the month, the library is available at other times by appointment for genealogical research.

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We invite you to explore your Irish origins with us. The Irish Emigration Library is free and open to the public.

 

Our doors are open on the third Wednesday of every month from 2:00 until 6:00 pm. Extra time can be extended up to 8:00 pm with a previous appointment. Call 414-395-0489 or send an email to igswis@gmail.com to arrange an extension.

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The Library is also open by appointment at other times of the month. Appointments are contingent on the availability of our volunteer staff and the ICHC building. (ICHC is closed on Monday and sometimes is unavailable due to large functions.) To arrange an appointment please contact the Irish Emigration Library at 414-395-0489 or igswis@gmail.com.

 

If you have a question if the Library will be open on a Wednesday due to weather conditions or for any other reason, please call the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center at 414-345-8800 for more information.

I.G.S.W., Irish Emigration Library

 

Due to many requests from members who are unable to visit the Irish Emigration Library in person, the volunteers who staff the library have agreed to initiate a limited "look up" service. This service is being offered for IGSW members only at this time. On the drop-down menu please click on "Library" and then "Hours" for more information about scheduling research.

 

Click here for a Research Request Form that may be printed. In addition to general information on patrons requesting the service, the form has spaces for helpful information on the person or place to be researched. State your research problem as explicitly as possible and send along pertinent information that will assist the researcher. We will make every effort to fulfill your request. The fee is $4 per search. Fees are nonrefundable.

 

Listed to the right are the Seven Searches we offer. Read them carefully and select one or more searches that interest you. We hope to respond within three to six weeks, depending upon the volume of requests. (We are a small group of volunteers!).

 

~~ The Library Committee of the Irish Emigration Library

The Irish Emigration Library is located at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center (ICHC), 2133 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233

 

Day time parking

 

Fee parking is available in the Bockl Building on the northwest corner of Wisconsin and N. 21st street.

Street parking on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Streets is sometimes available.

 

There is a small market lot at the corner of N. 23rd street and the alley behind the ICHC.

 

Evening parking

 

Available in the Marshall and Ilsley Bank lot directly across Wisconsin Ave. during non-business hours.

 

There are two lots available at the corner of N. 23rd street and the alley behind the ICHC.

 

Available at the Brett Funeral Home on the south east corner of N. 20th street and Wisconsin Ave.

SEARCH ONE
This search is structured to identify the six major administrative divisions (county, barony, civil parish, diocese, poor law union and probate) as well as the location of churches and graveyards if a parish or townland is known. Four major resources, including three books by Brian Mitchell are used:

1. General Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland (includes Ordnance Survey Map numbers)

2. Guide to Irish Parish Registers (earliest dates, all denominations)

3. Guide to Irish Churches and Graveyards (location of all denominations)

4. New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland (maps of major administrative divisions)

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SEARCH TWO
The Index of Milwaukee County Naturalization Records of Irish Born From 1836 to 1890 by Josephine Christon.

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SEARCH THREE

1. US Census Index - Here you must specify three contiguous or non contiguous census years between 1790 and 1920 (There is no 1890 census, nor are all states covered 1900-1920.) If you specify a State we will also search CDs dedicated to that state and year.

2. Ireland Census Index - Dublin City 1851, Ireland 1831 (Co. Londonderry), 1841 (Co. Cavan), Surviving Census Records of the 1851 Census.

3. United Kingdom Census Index - British Census 1851, 1881

4. Canadian Census Index - Canadian Census 1881

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SEARCH FOUR
Index to Griffith's Valuation - This is an evaluation of land for tax purposes conducted between 1848 and 1864. The CD yields the full name of the householder, his county, parish and townland of residence.

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SEARCH FIVE
Tithe Applotment records were levied in the 1823 - 1838 period. There are three resources available at our library.

1. Index of Tithe Applotment for Northern Ireland - Counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.

2. Index of Tithe Applotment for County Longford

3. List of Tithe Defaulters - Counties Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow

 

SEARCH SIX
Index to Ontario Land Records - This is an index on microfiche of the original transaction with settlers on the Ontario Crown Lands. It also includes Peter Robinson settlers and those who leased or purchased land through the Canada Land Company.

 

SEARCH SEVEN
In addition to the above resources you may select any two CDs from our extensive collection. Here you may wish to further refine your research goal. You may review our CD collection. You may print this listing. Excluded are Grenham's Irish Surnames and Grenham's Irish Record Finder.