To research Irish ancestors who participated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 or the Irish War of Independence from 1913 to 1921, utilize resources such as court martial records, medal rolls from institutions like the UK National Archive and Irish Military Archives, and pension records available at the Military Archives in Ireland. These records provide crucial details including personal information, military service, awards, and testimonies essential for tracing ancestral involvement in these historic events.
If your ancestor participated in the Irish rebellion in 1798 or the Independence War from 1913 to 1921, your go-to resources should be the military archives, medal rolls, and court martial records. These records will help you trace your heritage and understand your ancestors’ role in the fight for Ireland’s freedom.
Irish and British military databases have information about the rebellions and the historical context of the situation back then. This guide takes you through the crucial information about ancestors in the Irish Rebellions against British rule and how to access it.
But first, let’s understand the Historical Context
Irish Rebellions
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Society of United Irishmen spearheaded the Irish rebellion in 1978, also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion. Inspired by the French and American revolutions, the rebels sought to counter British rule in Ireland. After a few months, the rebellion failed due to a lack of coordination, internal divisions, harsh repression, and the British army’s military superiority.
Some of the rebels surrendered, and others were exiled or executed.
Formal military records from the 1798 rebellion are scarce, but the British authorities captured personal correspondence and other documents from the rebels. Some rebels also underwent court-martial proceedings, with their records kept by the British army.
These records, trial transcripts, witness statements, and sentencing records are preserved in the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) and the National Archive in the UK.
Irish War of Independence
In 1913, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) waged another conflict to fight for Irish self-rule. Eight years later, The British Army agreed to sign the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which led to the establishment of the Irish Free State and some degree of autonomy. This treaty also marked the end of British Rule in large swathes of Ireland.
Unlike the 1798 rebel movement, the IRA era has better documentation with letters, personal narratives, operational reports, and court martial records available in NAI, the Military Archives in Ireland, and the Bureau of Military History (BMH).
How to Research Irish Ancestors Who Fought in the Irish Rebellion or the Independence War
Search Court Martial Records
Court martial records detail personal information, charges, testimonies, and sentences. They can help confirm whether your ancestor was involved in the conflict and his fate at the end. Besides, you get to verify some personal information and a context of their experiences on the battlefield.
NAI has all the relevant documents pertaining to the two rebellions, including some British Army records that can complement your research. Also, visit the National Archives in the UK for a comprehensive collection of court martial records from the 18th century and beyond. The military Archives in Ireland also have records of trials of IRA members or suspected rebels.
Search Medal Rolls
The Irish government created numerous commemorative medals in later years to honor 1798 and 1921 rebels, including the Easter Rising Medal, which was awarded to those who participated in the 1916 Easter Rising, which was a precursor to the War of Independence.
The British Army has some of the oldest medal rolls involving Irishmen, dating back to the 18th century.
Check the UK National Archive, the Irish Military Archives, and popular online databases for medal records associated with the Irish Rebellion and War on Independence.
Information provided on meal rolls includes;
- Full names of the recipients.
- Regimental number.
- Rank.
- Unit.
- Medal entitlement.
- Date of award.
- Type and reason of award.
- A few references from the service records.
Search the Military Service Pensions Collection
The Irish government allowed veterans of the struggle for independence or their dependents to apply for pensions and holds these records at the Military Archives. The records include witness statements, letters of recommendation, and service records. Some of the crucial information you can find on these pension records include;
- The soldier’s full names, dates, and places of birth and death.
- Crucial dates, soldier’s unit, ranks, roles, and battles they may have participated in.
- The application date and the amount awarded plus any adjustment over time.
- Names and essential dates of spouses and other dependents.
- Additional documents such as affidavits by comrades, medical reports, and birth and marriage certificates to prove kinship.
Search Witness Statements
In 1947, the Irish government established the Bureau of Military History to collect and preserve accounts and testimonies of veterans involved in the fight for independence. The database’s over 1,700 witnesses and documents describe events, locations, units, and individuals involved in the struggle. The BMH website has a filter to help you search particular surnames, events, dates, or locations.
Some of the crucial genealogical information you find in witness statements and personal narratives include;
- The soldiers’ emotional status is highlighted through their conditions, relations, fear, hope, and reflection.
- Personal involvement in battles and any injuries and their recuperation process.
- The culture and customs of the military and the communities around places they served.
- Service details include the unit, its movements, and its responsibilities.
- The post-service life and how they transitioned back to civilian life.
- The impact the service had on their life.
Search the British Army Records
In addition to court martial records and medal rolls, more genealogical records about rebels who fought against British rule in Ireland are embedded in the British Army Records, most of which are found in the National Archives in the UK and the NAI.
The records include regimental histories and unit diaries that provide the following information.
- The different engagements the unit participated in and the strategies, outcomes, and experiences.
- The unit’s deployments, stations, movements, and routes.
- The regiment’s daily activities including surveillance, duties, and enemy encounters.
- Personal information of all unit members, including their rank awards and any casualties, losses, or missing persons.
- Personal stories and letters from unit members.
Did Your Ancestor Fight for Ireland’s Independence?
With the wealth of resources highlighted here, it gets easier to trace an Irish ancestor who was part of the 1798 rebellion against British rule or the Irish Independence War. Witness statements, court-martial records, and pension applications convey personal and military information vital for an Irish genealogy researcher.