Genealogical research in Ireland depends on a knowledge of geography, for all major Irish record sources are linked to at least one of the six administrative divisions mapped in this work: counties, baronies, civil parishes, dioceses, poor law unions, and probate districts. The most important record source, the mid-19th century survey of Ireland known as Griffith's Valuation, is organized by poor law union, parish, barony, and county. But wills probated before 1858 are organized by diocese, and after 1858 by probate district; while parish registers, marriage license bonds, and census records all have an organization linked to one or another of these administrative divisions. To help in identifying the precise location of these divisions, and thus their jurisdiction, Mr. Mitchell has drawn at least three maps for every county. The first county map depicts the civil parishes; the second shows the baronies and dioceses of that county; the third illustrates the poor law unions and the parishes included in the probate districts serving that county. Three maps of Ireland are also included to show the area covered by each county, diocese, and probate district. In addition the Introduction covers the link between the major administrative divisions and the major record sources of Ireland.
