Some Useful Genealogical Research Tips (updated July 2010)

On this page we offer information on where to look for information relating to Shea and O'Shea ancestors. With more Irish indexes and records going online, genealogical research is getting easier. Note that most Kerry and Cork "O'Shea" families used "Shea" until at least the late 1800s, if not until the early 20th century, so make sure you look for both.

Here are links to information which deals with Land Occupancy in Kerry and Land Occupancy in Cork. Other counties follow similar patterns but the Tithe Applotments and Griffith's Valuation may have been undertaken, at a slightly different time, in other counties. Also, the source of this data will not be O'Kief, Coshe, Mang as these volumes deal mostly with parts of Kerry and Cork. [updated January 2010]

Ireland - general links


NEW!!! Irish Civil Records Index courtesy of the Mormon website, free and searchable
NEW!!! Griffith's Valuation free and searchable survey (circa 1850)
NEW!!! 1901 and 1911 Irish Census Free and searchable
NEW!!! Here is a link to A FREE and searchable website for some Irish Church records including some for West Cork, Cork City, Kerry, Carlow and Dublin
Irish Townland list. The townland is the smallest land denomination in Ireland and can often be the key to locating a family
Ordnance Survey Maps of Ireland. You can zoom in to see townland names etc.
Irish Family History Foundation an online paying Irish Genealogical website. Note that County Kerry records are not online and ONLY Cloyne Diocese (North Cork and part of Kerry) are available for Cocunty Cork. Check for availablity of records for other counties.
List of deaths (newspaper source) Search for Surname in obituary list
Online Irish Genealogical resources Great List of Resources
Online of Irish Genealogical Sites Cyndi's List of Resources
Ancestor Search Search for Shea/Shee/O'Shea surname information
Irish Genealogy useful links
Ulster Ancestry has some interesting information.
Irish Genealogy
A good information guide to Irish genealogical resources and repositories
Irish Origins a paying site but good value
Irish Genealogy Archives free, voluntary archive

County Kerry

NEW!!! Here is a link to A FREE and searchable website for Catholic records in Kerry....not all are online yet.
Link to webpage (attached to this website) which has images of headstones from some Kerry Graveyards and where we are collecting other useful Kerry data.
List of Graveyards maintained by Kerry County Council
Note the Kerry 1911 Census was put online on the 22nd December 2008 [all counties online now]. This is at National Archives of Ireland Census. It is free and searchable and should be of use to many O'Sheas of Kerry origins.
The following online webpage townlands of Kerry might help with finding locations in the census.
Map of Kerry Catholic Parishes on Diocese of Kerry website. Click on Parish Index to see map.
List of townlands in Kerry
Website with Kerry Data
Irish Times RC Parish Map for Kerry. Click on a parish for more information.
Kerry Genealogy Extensive Genealogical site
Tracing Your Kerry Ancestors book on tracing Kerry ancestors.

County Cork

NEW!!! Here is a link to A FREE and searchable website for Catholic records in West Cork and Cork City...not all are online yet.
Mallow Heritage Centre church records online for the Diocese of Cloyne - North and East Cork (payign site.
Irish Times RC Parish Map for NW Cork. Note you can find maps for S.W. Cork and East Cork by clicking on the map
Cork Genealogical Society Great Cork site
Diocese of Cork and Ross Cork and Ross (Catholic) Diocese site
Tithes by Dioceses for County Cork Search for Sheas in early 1800s, Cork
Irish Times RC Parish Map for NW Cork. Note you can find maps for S.W. Cork and East Cork by clicking on the map
Tithes by Dioceses for County Cork Search for Sheas in early 1800s, Cork
Tracing Your Cork Ancestors book on tracing Cork ancestors
Mallow Field Journal Names Index
Bandon Genealogy
Skibbreen Heritage Centre

Co. Limerick

Limerick City Council Archives includes online digital archives.

Co. Waterford

Waterford Library Family History Good Genealogical Site

Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny Library Local Studies Good start for research

Co. Clare

Co. Clare Library genealogy resources


North American (USA and Canada)

Canadian Census Data online
Link to 1911 Census for Canada
Irish in New York City
Data on Irish Immigrants to the USA
LDS Search site - great worldwide searches
CastleGarden Immigration to the USA
Ellis Island Immigration to the USA

Misc. Shea Links

Mary Maureen Shea of Co. Mayo born 1784 probably in Sandyhill, Killadeer she married a Costello who was from Gorthbawn Co Mayo he was a tailor.
Descendants of Walter Shea Newfoundland (from Waterford, Ireland).