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Cumann Geinealais na hÉireannGenealogical Society of Ireland

Presentation prepared by

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSIGeneral Secretary

&

Fíona Tipple, MA, DipLib, DipGen, ALAI, MGSISenior Librarian

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Introduction to the Society

• Founded in 1990 in Dún Laoghaire

• Adopted present name in 1999

• Incorporated in 2000

• Received a Grant of Arms in 2001

• Nominating Body for Seanad Éireann

• Registered Educational Charity

• Irish and international membership

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Objective & Activities

• To promote the study of genealogy, heraldry and social history as open access educational leisure pursuits available to all ... through

• 12 Lectures and 11 discussion groups• Publications – monthly, annual & occasional• Archive & Research Centre – An Daonchartlann• Courses – weekend genealogy courses• Group projects – Irish DNA Atlas & others• Advocacy – legislative matters & accessibility

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Public Policy Principle

• At its 1997 AGM the Society adopted the important ‘Principle of Public Ownership and Right of Access’ to our genealogical heritage.

• This is now accepted as the bedrock of good practice by progressive institutions throughout the State.

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Legislative IssuesAdvocacy on legislative matters relating to genealogical

records and heritage issues since 1992 and covering circa 20 Bills, including:

Statistics Act (1993) Heritage Act (1995) National Cultural Institutions Act (1997) Civil Registration Act (2004) Genealogy & Heraldry Bill (2006) National Cultural Institutions (Amendment) Bill (2008) Statistics (Heritage Amendment) Bill (2011) Proposed integration of NAI, IMC and NLI and many others.

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Legislative Programme

• The Society welcomes the inclusion in the Programme for Government of commitments on the release of the 1926 census and the reform of the delivery of heraldic services.

• The National Archives Act, 1986 and the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 require updating to meet the current and future requirements of the institutions.

• Opportunity for the legislative integration of the NAI, IMC and NLI in a new National Cultural & Archival Institutions Bill which maintains these bodies as separate institutions.

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Genealogy – Resource or Product?

• The fundamental question!

• As a product genealogy benefits the few – those who can afford to buy it and those selling it.

• As a national resource genealogy has the potential to benefit important sectors of the economy and many communities throughout the country in a sustainable manner.

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Sustainable National Resource

• Our genealogical heritage is part of what we are as a people and it’s the cherished inheritance of over 70 million people throughout the world.

• Genealogy is the ‘gateway’ or ‘introduction’ to Ireland and its culture, heritage, goods and services for millions of potential customers, clients, visitors and investors around the world.

• Genealogy is a sustainable national resource.

• To successfully compete with the growing trend towards ‘pay for view’ genealogy, we should concentrate on developing and marketing internationally accessible ‘free to view’ on-line genealogical resources.

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Public Access

• The ‘Principle of Public Ownership & Right of Access’ to our genealogical heritage is fundamental.

• Free public access must be maintained to all genealogical records held by the State, Local Authorities and State funded institutions.

• An enlightened and progressive approach to providing free public access to historic records such as the Land Commission records is essential.

• The paper and computerised genealogical records of the State funded network of Heritage Centres should be transferred to the custody of the County Librarians in each area.

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The Irish Diaspora

• Seventy Million and growing!

• The ‘Principle of Public Ownership & Right of Access’ extends to our diaspora.

• The promotion of an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of Ireland’s genealogical heritage amongst our diaspora will create a sustainable affinity and a purposeful connectivity with Ireland’s past and present.

• This ‘gateway’ to Ireland should not be obstructed by virtue of cost – access to their genealogical heritage must be free of charge to maximize its appeal, its sustainability and its potential for development.

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National Policy Required

• The delivery of genealogical services by the State institutions and State funded NGOs is fragmentary and often simply an adjunct to core functions.

• Genealogy is a valuable national resource and should be developed, managed and promoted accordingly.

• Designation and preservation of genealogical records, coordination in the delivery of services, maintenance of standards, and the commitment to public access is essential.

• A national advisory body representing all stakeholders to assist in the formulation of a National Policy on the Provision of Genealogical Services and to advise on its implementation.

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An Bealach Romhainn

• Identification of key objectives

• Legislative reform – updating of 1986 National Archive and 1997 National Cultural Institutions Acts.

• Identification of stakeholder partnerships / collaborations (State, semi-State, NGOs, commercial & voluntary sectors)

• Establishment of implementation processes, frameworks and timetables

• Source sustainable funding streams

• Research, Innovation & Development – planning & strategies

• Formulation of a National Policy on the Provision of Genealogical Services in Ireland.