What's New in Family History Research

As family history research continues to evolve, several developments are opening new opportunities for genealogists. From newly released census records to AI-powered search tools and updated account planning features, there are more ways than ever to uncover, preserve, and share your family story.

1926 Irish Census:

The 1926 Irish Census was officially released online by the National Archives of Ireland on 18 April 2026. Published exactly 100 years after the census was taken, the records are freely searchable and provide a comprehensive digitised snapshot of the population of the Irish Free State in the years following the Civil War. You can begin by entering as much information as you know, for example a surname, first name, townland, street, or county. Even a simple name search will return results, and you can then narrow them down using the filters. The National Archives will continue to refine and enhance the 1926 Census dataset over the coming year. Access the 1926 Irish Census here.

Setting up a Legacy contact on Ancestry

Ancestry has recently changed its terms and conditions to provide users a method to designate someone to gain control of their account as a future beneficiary.

Judy Russell’s The Legal Genealogist blog recently discussed how.

              “To help preserve your family history, you can designate a “Legacy Contact” in your Account Settings to receive access to your account if you can’t use it anymore. If a transfer request is made, we will verify the Legacy Contact’s identity and require proof of the qualifying event (such as a death certificate) before granting access. Upon verification, we will share your account access and Personal Information with your designated contact. They will then assume ownership of the account”. Check out Judy’s blog post here.

FamilySearch Full-Text Search

A reminder to try the Family Search Full-Text Search next time you visit our library at Cook.

FamilySearch Full-Text Search is a tool that lets you search almost 2 billion historical records that haven't been indexed yet. It uses AI to read and interpret text directly from document images. Collections include nearly every type of historical record imaginable, from church registers and court documents to military files, newspapers, personal letters, land deeds, and more.  Try it and see if you can find some new records. Happy researching!