Ulster Historical Foundation

19/08/2026

NEW DIGITAL ARCHIVE: The Ulster Historical Foundation Research Files Database!

For almost seven decades, Ulster Historical Foundation has been helping people uncover the stories of their ancestors, families and communities. Now, we are delighted to introduce a new database that offers a fascinating insight into that work: the Ulster Historical Foundation Research Files Database.

To find out more, watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpji_IdXVHA

The Foundation was established in 1956 and has since undertaken thousands of commissioned research enquiries. Each enquiry represents a unique research journey, often involving the careful examination of archives, church records, estate papers, newspapers, published sources and other historical material.

At present, this new database has compiled the first 25 years of research reports (around 2,000 digitised reports from 1957 until 1982) and provides researchers with an entirely new way of discovering information about people, places and families connected to Ulster: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/portfolio/search-reports-database

31/07/2026

Last month our first family history conference of 2026 took place from 21 to 24 June. This was a purely research conference with the delegates spending all three days at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) looking for their ancestors with our team of researchers.

The conference began on the Sunday afternoon with a welcome reception allowing the delegates to get to know each other and our team. Monday morning consisted of a series of talks from staff from the Foundation and PRONI followed by a tour of PRONI and then the research began!

Delegates came from Belfast, England, New Zealand, Scotland and the United States and they had a number of research breakthroughs during the conference.

Amongst other discoveries, Dave found the sale of his 5th great grandfather’s land in 1737, Heather found her ancestor’s will from 1857 (most pre-1858 wills were destroyed in the 1922 fire in Dublin), Pam found a family deed from 1758 and Jill found her ancestor’s siblings in a school register confirming the year they left and moved to Britain!

Our 2027 conferences are now available and we would love to have you join us:

 20 – 23 June 2027: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/three-day-june-2027

 01 - 08 September 2027: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-
courses/conference-2027

 03 – 08 October 2027: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/research-conference-2027

15/05/2026

'DEBAUCHERY, ILL BLOOD AND PERJURY' BOOK LAUNCH!

Join us for our first book launch of 2026!

The Trustees of the Ulster Historical Foundation, request the pleasure of your company at the launch of ‘Debauchery, ill blood and perjury’: Louth elections, c. 1700–c. 1835 by A.P.W. Malcomson.

Event Details
• Date: Thursday, 04 June
• Time: 18:30
• Location: Collon Church of Ireland Church, Church Street, Collon, Co. Louth
• Booking: Space is limited so reserving your place is essential.

To RSVP email [email protected], or call +4491812073
Light refreshments will be served.

BOOK LAUNCH - SPECIAL OFFER!

If you plan to attend the launch, order your copy today!

Enter the code DebaucheryLaunchCollect at checkout on our online bookstore to save on postage costs AND to receive an additional £5 off your order: https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/shop/products/louth-elections

08/05/2026

JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR 2026 RESEARCH PROGAMMES

Whether you’re keen to dive into research, explore historic sites, or enjoy the perfect blend of both, we have an exciting schedule of research programmes in 2026 that are sure to appeal.

Make 2026 the year you finally uncover your elusive Irish ancestors!

[Please note that due to the current situation with fuel prices and possible travel uncertainty; we have recently updated our cancellation policy & will be as accommodating as possible regarding this]

3-DAY RESEARCH CONFERENCE (21–24 June 2026 ): Only 3 Places Remaining!

This enhanced research programme gives you the chance to spend three days researching in the archives – being guided and supported by our team of researchers. The programme revolves around focused research sessions that are designed to help you make real progress with your family history.

https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/three-day-june

RETURN OF OUR "CLASSIC" WEEK-LONG CONFERENCE (02-09 September 2026): Less than 10 Places Remaining!

"It’s back" our "classic" week-long family history conference returns in September 2026 - promising a delightful mix of personal research, guided tours, and experiences that bring your family history vividly to life.

Over eight inspiring days, you can:
• Dive deep into your family story with assisted personal research in Belfast’s archives
• Explore Ireland’s historic sites and cultural treasures on guided tours
• Soak in breathtaking landscapes while tracing your family history
• Learn more about the land and experiences of your ancestors
• Share the experience with like-minded family historians eager to connect to their ancestors

As with our previous Tracing Your Irish Ancestors programmes delegates will be able to shape their own experiences by choosing to either research in the archives or join our staff on daily excursions through Ireland's beautiful landscape to some of its most historic sites, or a mixture of the two.

https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/conference-2026

5-DAY RESEARCH CONFERENCE (04–09 October 2026): Less than 10 Places Remaining!

Immerse yourself in a week of discovery with our enhanced 5-Day Research Conference, designed for those eager to make significant progress in uncovering their family history.

Over five focused days, you will work in the archives with personal guidance and support from our experienced research team, ensuring your time is productive, rewarding, and inspiring.

https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/events-courses/research-conference-2026

01/05/2026

Our new book 'Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800–1914' is currently being printed and we expect it to arrive at our offices next week!

This is therefore your final opportunity to secure your copy at the special pre-order price of only £29.99 (Usual price: £34.99)

https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/shop/products/ulster-ancestors

'Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800–1914' provides a comprehensive guide to the rich range of genealogical sources available for the nine counties of Ulster during the “long nineteenth century,” up to the eve of the First World War. It not only identifies what records exist and where to find them, but also brings them to life through carefully chosen examples—demonstrating how they can be used effectively to uncover your family history.

Written by Dr William Roulston, author of the bestselling 'Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600–1800', this new research guide will become an indispensable resource for Irish family history research

30/04/2026

The new website of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is now live! www.proni.gov.uk

23/04/2026

PRONI's new website launches on 30 April!

Exciting Announcement! 🎉

PRONI is delighted to announce that our new website will be launched on Thursday the 30th of April. The redesigned website will offer clearer navigation that makes it easier to explore our collections, plan a visit, and access a wide range of resources!

Stay tuned for more updates! ✨

22/04/2026

PLEASE NOTE: Our offices will be closed on Thursday 23rd April for a staff meeting. We will re-open again on Friday 24th April

20/04/2026

1926 IRISH CENSUS NOW AVAILABLE!

The 1926 census for the Republic of Ireland is now available online at https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-1926-census/

While a census was also taken in Northern Ireland in 1926, sadly it has been destroyed, likely during the Second World War so the next surviving census dates from 1937.

The 1926 census is currently searchable by surname and place but more search options will become available in the future.

One of the most important columns is the place of birth - in the 1901 and 1911 census returns, only the county of birth was requested (although some people did list their exact places of birth). In the 1926 census the county AND townland/town was requested which is of huge importance when researching the family further back, especially if they were living in a different location than their place of birth by 1926.

We also learn the name and business of their employer which includes, for example the name of the farmer a farm labourer worked for - it is not often possible to discover this from other sources.

There are a few teething issues - some children who were aged, for instance, 10 years, 4 months have been indexed as being 104 years old so if you are looking for an ancestor who was a child, do not discount those of the correct names who look to be centenarians.

The National Archives has highlighted that there are data issues particularly with County Donegal which is currently being manually checked and will be then updated onto the website. You can find out more about the phased release of updated records and search options here: https://nationalarchives.ie/search-the-1926-census-2/phased-release-of-census-1926-information/

Happy Hunting!

15/04/2026

'RESEARCHING ULSTER ANCESTORS, 1800-1914' - LAST CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER!

The countdown is on! 'Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800-1914', the new research guide from Dr William Roulston, author of the bestselling 'Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors: The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600–1800' is almost available so the pre-order price will close soon.

'Researching Ulster Ancestors, 1800-1914' offers a detailed exploration of genealogical material for the nine-county province of Ulster from the ‘long nineteenth century’ (up until the eve of the First World War), identifying what is available and where it can be found. Not only that, but through the liberal use of examples, this book places these records in context and shows how they can be used in the pursuit of family history.

To pre-order for only £29.99 (Usual price: £34.99): https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/shop/products/ulster-ancestors