Genealogy Centres in Westmeath

Westmeath Genealogy

Dun na Si Heritage Centre
Knockdanney Moate
Co Westmeath
Ireland

Chief Surnames in County Westmeath

The chief surnames found in Co. Weatmeath include (Mc) Geoghegan, O'Growney, Brennan, O'Coffey, O'Mulleady, O'Malone, O'Daly, McAuley, McCormack.

Services

The Westmeath Heritage Centre offers enquirers access to church, civil, land and census returns for that county. Enquirers may expect a delay of two months before receiving a reply from the centre.

The main records include:

  • Roman Catholic Records for Co Westmeath start in 1737
  • Earliest Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopalian) records date from 1710
  • Earliest Presbyterian records date from 1800

Other sources include:

  • Griffith's Valuation
  • Pigot's Directory
  • Slater's Directory
  • Estate Lists
  • Voter's Lists

The centre has access to approximately 750,000 records.

Famous People with Westmeath Roots

John McCormack the world famous tenor was a native of Athlone while Oliver Goldsmith the writer and poet made famous his native Westmeath

Main Towns in County Westmeath

Mullingar, Athlone, Castlepollard, Moate, Kilbeggan.

Internationally known Locations in Westmeath

Westmeath is located on the eastern bank of the Shannon River famous for its fishing and boating.

Emigration from County Westmeath

Emigration from County Westmeath commenced on a large scale between 1845 and 1850. Prior to 1845 there was a population of 141,000. By 1851 the figure decreased by 21%, (partly accounted for by deaths through famine) and emigration. Westmeath emigrants settled in the United States, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and Wales.

Westmeath, although not as severely affected by Famine as other counties. Those most adversely affected were the cottiers and landless labourers.