Griffiths Valuation

Mid-19th Century Griffith’s Valuation

In Ireland, the almost total loss of the census returns of 1821, 1831, 1841 and 1851 and the complete destruction of the census returns of 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 means that sources which act as 19th century census substitutes are very important to Irish family history researchers.

One such source is Griffith’s Primary Valuation. This all-Ireland Valuation was carried out between 1848 and 1864 to determine the amount of rates each household should pay towards the support of the poor within their poor law union. Ireland had been divided, in 1838, into 130 Poor Law Unions, each of which was centred on a large market town.

In detailing every head of household and occupier of land in Ireland, against a townland address in rural areas or street address in urban areas, Griffith’s Valuation is viewed as a census substitute for post-Famine Ireland.

This source details against every property in mid-19th century Ireland: the occupier’s name; the landlord’s name; description of property; size of farm (if applicable); and rateable valuation of any buildings and land. The results of the survey were published in volumes by poor law union. The year of valuation varied from poor law union to poor law union.

A very significant feature of Griffith’s Valuation was the compilation of maps to accompany the survey. Every lot number in Griffith’s Valuation (recorded under the heading “No. and Letters of Reference to Map”) was marked on a copy of the Ordnance Survey map (at a scale of 6 inches to 1 mile). This effectively means that the locations of all properties in the mid-19th century - houses and farms - can be identified once you have found your ancestor in Griffith’s Valuation. In other words with these maps you can identify with accuracy the location of the ancestral home (even if it is long gone) or farm.

You can now search, for free, the mid-19th century Griffith's Valuation for all Ireland at www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation by Family Name and Place Name. ‘Family Name Search’ provides transcript details, the original document page and appropriate Valuation map for any selected occupier. Use the ‘Place Name Search’ option to find everyone who lived in a particular place.