Crusheen, County Clare, Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1860-2014

About this collection

Although the Church of Ireland was the established state church from 1536 to 1870, Ireland’s population remained overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. According to the 1861 census, almost 78 percent of the population was Catholic; by 1891, this had risen to 89 percent. This fact makes Catholic parish registers, where available, particularly valuable sources for Irish family history, both before and after civil registration began in 1864.

The Parish of Inchicronan (Crusheen) was originally established by the Augustinians of Inchicronan. Inchicronan Abbey served as the parish church until 1543, when Henry VIII granted possession to the Earls of Thomond. The Catholic Church in Crusheen was built in 1836/37 whilst Fr James Meade was Parish Priest.

This collection includes baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial registers from the Catholic parish of Crusheen in County Clare, Ireland, with dates ranging from 1860 to 2014.

The details found in baptismal registers vary but can include:

• name
• baptismal date
• father’s name
• mother’s name
• godparents’/sponsors’ names
• place

Catholic children were typically confirmed after age 12, and records can include:

• name of the person being confirmed
• date, name of clergy, and location of confirmation
• parents’ names
• age
• residence

The details found in marriage registers vary but can include:

• names of bride and groom
• residences of bride and groom
• parents’ names
• parents’ residences
• marriage banns
• any impediments to the marriage (e.g., consanguinity, age, previous marriage, etc.)
• marriage date
• name of officiant
• names of witnesses and their residences

The details found in burial registers vary but can include:

• name of the deceased
• age
• date of death
• burial date