Land Valuation Records

Tithe Applotment Books

The Tithe Applotment Books were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount of tithes (taxes) due by occupiers of land to the Church of Ireland (The Established Church).

The Tithe Applotment Books are organized according to parish and townland. The books do not refer to towns or cities but the records give a valuable insight into rural Ireland before the famine.

The Tithe Applotment Books for County Waterford are available on microfilm in both Waterford City and County Libraries.

Griffith's Valuation

Primary Valuation of Tenements (Griffith's Valuation 1847-1864) for Parish of St John's Without, Waterford City

Courtesy of Waterford City Library

Griffith's Valuation
Courtesy of Waterford City Library

Griffith's Valuation

Primary Valuation of Tenements (Griffith's Valuation 1847-1864) for Parish of St John's Without, Waterford City

Courtesy of Waterford City Library

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Griffith's Valuation

Griffith's Valuation was carried out in Ireland 1847-1864. It was a survey undertaken to determine the amount of tax due by the owners and occupiers of a property to the local authority.

The Primary Valuation provides a census of all who held property in the year or years when the survey was made It can be a valuable genealogical source and a good census substitute.

Griffith's Valuations also provide number and letters of reference to a map. The map reference number is to the location of the tenement or plot on the 6" to I mile Ordnance Survey Maps of the 1830s.

Griffith's Valuation together with maps are available at Waterford City and Waterford County Libraries. It can also be accessed on line at www.askaboutireland.ie,

Estate Records

There were a number of great estates in county Waterford. These were lands owned and managed by landowners who rented out lands to tenants. Some estates were well managed and provided well for their tenants. Unfortunately, some estates did not record their dealings with their tenants in detail, but those that did and still survive are a good source for researchers. Waterford County Library holds the estate papers from the Lismore Estate.

Information from some Waterford estates papers have been published in the historical local journals namely 'Decies' and 'Journal of the Waterford and the South-East of Ireland archaeological & Historical Society' A list of these articles are published in (Grenham) 'Tracing Your Irish Ancestors the Complete Guide '

For information on Waterford estate papers collections held at other repositories in Ireland or the UK its best to check the following websites; www.nli.ie www.nal.ie www.a2a.org.uk.