Withdrawal of parish records

I have just heard that the access to the Cloyne diocese church records are being restricted or even withdrawn from public viewing or access.

This is quite disturbing to me as some of my ancestors are from Co Cork and I have already purchased air tickets to travel to Ireland on April 17.

I had planned on visiting some Cork heritage centres and the national depositories in Dublin.

In fact, I have even hired an Irish researcher to help me with some of this research while I am in Ireland. What am I to do now?

I do not think it is proper to cut off access to our ancestors’ records and information. I am interested in this information from a genealogical as well as a cultural viewpoint.

Moreover, I do not plan on profiting from the information that I was hoping to attain on this trip. It is strictly a personal quest for more knowledge about my ancestors.

I have been to Ireland before but this trip was to be primarily a genealogical research trip.

To be sure, I will enjoy my trip to Ireland but no doubt the Cork portion will be disappointing. I would appreciate any light which could be shed on this subject.

Bob Trehearne

10580 East Hillside

Mine Court

Gold Canyon AZ 85218

[e-mail]

I DO not understand why the Cloyne parish records have been withdrawn. No explanation has been given, thus leaving us to speculate as to the motives of those concerned.

The search for the birth places of our Irish forebears takes many of us who live far away to travel to Ireland as tourists.

If the records are no longer available there is now no reason for us to visit Ireland. The country will, therefore, lose a significant amount of tourist money. It seems we all lose out.

Patricia Brown

PO Box Q17

QVB

Sydney 1230

Australia

I DISAGREE with the withdrawal of the Cloyne records. I don’t think you realise how the economy of Ireland would improve dramatically if the Irish were a bit more free with their church records.

The people of the world, especially Australia and the US, are keen to find their Irish roots and if the records are not available, it makes this almost impossible to do. We are happy to pay - that is not the issue.

Kaye Vernon

56 Lady Penrhyn Drive

Beacon Hill 2100 NSW

Australia

THE removal of the Cloyne records is disappointing - it will greatly affect my visit to that area.

Jo Birkbeck

330 Dereham Road

Norwich

Norfolk NR2 4DL

England