Irish Vital Records from “The Scots Magazine,” 1739-1826

Description

The Scots Magazine is one of the oldest English-language periodicals still in print. First published as a monthly in Edinburgh in 1739, it ran continuously until 1826. Following the magazine’s suspension, it was reissued in the mid-19th-century and has remained in print ever since. The magazine’s profile took “a General View of the Religion, Politicks, Entertainment, etc. in Great Britain; and a succinct account of Publick Affairs, Foreign and Domestic.” Other features of import to genealogists were its regular mentions of births, marriages, and deaths throughout the British Isles and abroad, including a substantial number pertaining to Ireland.

This work from British Isles and immigration expert Dr. David Dobson assembles the complete collection of those birth, marriage, and death records from The Scots Magazine between the years 1739 and 1826. Alphabetically arranged by surname, each “vital record” transcription gives the subject’s full name; date and place of birth, marriage, or death; and a citation to the appropriate volume and page number of The Scots Magazine. Many of the entries also specify such additional information as the names of spouses, parents, or other relatives; occupation (often military or political service); circumstances of death; etc. In view of the scarcity of 18th-century official vital records for Ireland, researchers with such forebears will welcome this “buried” collection of roughly 2,000 Irish births, marriages, and deaths.