Trace Your Longford Roots

Thousands of people throughout the world proudly claim a strong connection to County Longford.

Many would have left during the Irish Famine (1845-49) and up to and during the early 1900s. Communities of County Longford people live in the UK, USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico and even further afield.

Many visitors to County Longford come in search of information on their ancestors. Family names associated with County Longford include Farrell, Sheridan, Murphy, Rathigan, O’Neill and Kane.

Before you visit, it is good to collect as much information as possible and try to establish the townland or parish where your ancestors originated. Take a look at how you can trace your Longford roots!

Farrell Clan

The Uí Fhearghail, O’Ferralls or O’Farrells, princes of Annaly, held their chief seat at Longford town or 'Longphort Uí Fhearghail', which translates as 'O’Farrells Stronghold'.

Their ancient history is celebrated up to today with the Farrell Clan Rally, a gathering of Farrells which takes place every four years in Longford, the ancestral Home of the Farrells, with the next rally set to take place in July 2026.

Learn more about the Farrell Clan on FarrellClan.ie, where you can also learn how to become a Farrell Clan member. See also the Farrell Clan brochure.

Killian Homeplace Family History and Genealogy Centre

The Killian Homeplace Family History Centre is the new home of the Irish Family History Foundation for County Longford. Its databases include church records of baptisms, marriages, deaths, civil records, census returns and gravestone inscriptions.

The centre offers a comprehensive service which allows anyone to trace their County Longford roots. Their research team is dedicated to helping those searching for their Longford roots so that they will be able to fill in their family tree and find their way home to County Longford.

Find out more about The Killian Homeplace Family History and Genealogy Centre on TheKillianHomeplace.com.

Irish Clann Connections

Irish Clann Connections offers professionally researched histories of families, individuals, houses and localities. It is run by Longford native and qualified genealogist, Eilish Feeley. Eilish has carried out genealogy research for clients from all over Ireland and across the world, including America, England, Australia, Canada and Argentina and has specific expertise in relation to counties Longford, Roscommon and Westmeath.

Find out more at IrishClannConnections.com.

Town Twinning

Town Twinning is a long-term partnership to help foster a spirit of cooperation between County Longford and various countries, cities, communities and schools. It offers many cultural, educational, business, and technical exchanges. County Longford Town Twinning arrangements include:

Ballinamuck and Essert, France
Longford Town and Noyal-Châtillon sur Seiche, Brittany France
Ballymahon and Landévant, France
Granard town and East Rouen in Normandy, France

Find out more on the Town Twinning page of Longfordcoco.ie.

Longford Associations

There are several Longford Associations that you can join to have a connection to your ancestral home. They include:

County Longford Association of Greater New York. Established in 1891 to help Longford people in need, today it helps those who have arrived in New York. It offers scholarships to the children and grandchildren of its members.
Longford Association in London have been gathering together since 1955 to provide social, cultural and welfare activities.
Longford Association Manchester keeps members in touch with social, cultural and welfare activities.
Longford Association Dublin promotes social, cultural and welfare activities amongst Longford people living in Dublin.

Important Sources for Ancestry Research

Key sources for genealogical research are the church and civil records. Catholic parishes' original records are held by the local clergy. Images of the registers to about 1880 are available at Registers.nli.ie.
Those of Church of Ireland parishes are held locally or in the Representative Church Library, Churchtown, Dublin. For information on the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations, contact the relevant clergy.
Civil or state records of non-Catholic marriages began in 1845, and of other marriages, and all births and deaths in 1864. They are now available at IrishGenealogy.ie.
The tithe applotment books, 1823-35, contain the names of landholders who paid tax to the Church of Ireland.
Griffith’s Valuation (published in 1854 for Longford) contains the names of all occupiers of property and has very brief details of each holding.
The 1901 and 1911 census records are the first complete censuses surviving for Longford.
Longford Library Heritage and Archives have a range of sources for Longford history and genealogy. Visit LongfordLibrary.ie/ArchivesAndLocalStudies for more information.
The Longford Genealogy Centre in the Killian Homeplace has a database with Longford church records. The database can also be accessed at Longford.RootsIreland.ie.
Download graveyard information for County Longford.