The Irish Genealogical Research Society learned today that its website IrishAncestors has been ranked among the Top 100 genealogy websites IN THE WORLD! The rankings are compiled by Genealogy In Time magazine, itself the world’s largest online genealogical magazine, from objective statistics*, rather than votes.
Coming in at position 79, this is no mean achievement for a website that was launched less than a year ago – on 13 March 2013, to be precise. The site launched with some fabulous new records in its public area, not least the IGRS Early Irish Marriage Index, which concentrates on pre-civil registration marriages, and has since added many more unique resources to the Members’ Area. Of these, one of the most well-received has been the IGRS Wills Index to some 4,000 abstracts and transcripts of Irish wills.
During the course of the year, the site has grown hugely, not only to allow access to more records, but also to provide guidance to those starting out on their Irish genealogy research. Society Members now have access to a growing library of Expert Tips written by some of Irish genealogy’s best-known specialists, details of specially negotiated discounts with suppliers of family history products and databases, and can search through numerous names indexes to some of the Society’s most precious manuscripts and collections.
IGRS chairman Steven Smyrl said he was “absolutely delighted” to hear of the website’s placement in the Top 100. “The launch of IrishAncestors.ie has enabled the Society to give our worldwide membership greater access to records held in our Library, which is widely recognised as one of the most important collections of Irish genealogical material in private hands. We have been steadily adding to these records since the website was launched, and this momentum will continue. But the online material we are now able to upload is not the only reason for the site’s success, as members are readily turning to the website for more general information, advice and to take advantage of other newly introduced benefits.
“With so many benefits readily available to IGRS members around the world, it’s no surprise that membership is growing as fast as the website!”
IrishAncestors was one of only five Societies and one of only four ‘Irish’ sites to feature in the Top 100. FindMyPast.ie and IrishGenealogy.ie came in at #80 and #100 respectively. Only RootsIreland.ie gained a higher ranking than the IGRS, achieving #60.
* You can find out the methodology behind the Genealogy In Time Top 100 here. IrishAncestors.ie has an Alexa ranking of 260,123.