Featured in The Irish Times: Exploring the 1926 Census and Irish Family History
- hilary416
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
I had a lovely surprise this week when I appeared in The Irish Times with journalist Ella Sloane, who visited the Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives of Ireland to explore her family history ahead of the release of the 1926 Census. I happened to be the genealogist on duty that day, and it was a pleasure to help her uncover new details about her own ancestors. It turned into a fascinating search, and I’m delighted it has now been shared with a wider audience.
Why the 1926 Census Matters for Irish Genealogy
For anyone interested in Irish genealogy or family history research, the release of the 1926 Census of Ireland is a milestone we’ve been waiting years for. Published by the National Archives on 18 April 2026, exactly 100 years after it was taken, this census offers an extraordinary snapshot of life in the early Irish Free State.
The 1926 Census was the first taken after independence, capturing a country emerging from revolution, civil war, World War I, and decades of population decline. The population recorded was just over 2.9 million, reflecting a nation still rebuilding and reshaping itself.
A New Window Into Your Irish Ancestors
What makes this release so exciting is how close it brings us to the generations before us. For many people, those listed in the 1926 Census are parents, grandparents, great‑grandparents, or their siblings. With this new resource, we can now see:
Where they lived
Who they lived with
Their occupations
Their employers
Their household structure and community
It’s a rare opportunity to step directly into the world our families inhabited a century ago.
How You Can Search the 1926 Census
Right now, you can search the census by:
Name (forename or surname)
Townland or street
County
DED (District Electoral Division)
More search filters—such as age, occupation, years married, and number of children—will be added over time, making it an even more powerful tool for Irish family history research.
How We Can Help
If you’d like help tracing your own family in the 1926 Census or want guidance on where to begin your Irish genealogy journey, we at Ancestor Solutions would be delighted to assist. Please get in touch.
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