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The Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO) is an umbrella group for the various
organisations having an interest in Irish genealogical research. Please note that
CIGO does not provide a research service and cannot handle individual queries. Any
correspondence for constituent organisations should be sent directly to them. CIGO is not
open to individual membership.
CIGO was formed in 1994 but it developed from the GRO Users' Group, an ad hoc gathering of
organisations which formed in 1992 as a response to a government decision to relocate the
General Register Office outside Dublin. The co-operation that was possible in the GRO Users'
Group was seen as something that could have long-term benefits for Irish genealogy. As a
result the alliance was established on a permanent footing in the shape of CIGO.
GO TO Latest Information
on the GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE
go to 1999 CIGO Report on the GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE
go to CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS 2000 AGM
AIMS
The aims of CIGO as set out in its constitution are:
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To provide a forum for voluntary organisations involved in genealogical research in Ireland.
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To encourage preservation of and fullest public access to genealogical material held by any
civil, ecclesiastic or other body or organisation.
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To represent the views of the constituent organisations on matters concerning the availability,
standard, location and costs of genealogical or associated services provided by the State,
Local Government or other bodies.
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To liaise with the various State and Semi-State bodies concerned with the provision or the
development of genealogical services, to promote public accessibility and quality of the records
provided.
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To liaise with overseas organisations with similar aims and objectives.
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To encourage co-operation between the various genealogical and family history societies in
Ireland through joint ventures and projects to benefit Irish genealogical research.
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To publish a bi-annual bulletin and to liaise with the media on behalf of the membership.
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Two categories of membership are available, as follows;
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Full Constituent Organisation. Open to genealogical organisations based in Ireland, either in
the Republic or in Northern Ireland.
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Associate Constituent Organisation. Open to genealogical organisations based in Ireland or
overseas.
Full constituent organisations may have two representatives on the Council and full voting
rights. Associate constituent organisations are not represented on the Council, but are
entitled to make submissions on any matter concerning the activities of the Council.
WHAT CIGO DOES
The Council is made up of two representatives from each full constituent
organisation and each organisation has one vote. The Chair is rotated among these
organisations on an annual basis, the Chairmen so far have been:
1994/1995 Michael Merrigan (Dun Laoghaire GS)
1995/1996 Paul Gorry (Irish Genealogical Congress)
1996/1997 Randal Gill (North of Ireland FHS)
1997/1998 John Dyer (Raheny Heritage Soc.)
1998/1999 Thomas O'Keeffe (Wicklow GS)
1999/2000 Steven C. ffeary-Smyrl (Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland)
2000/2001 Vivien Costello (Irish Genealogical Congress)
2001/2002 Máire Mac Conghail (Irish Genealogical Research Society - Ireland Branch)
CIGO has been successful in obtaining a guarantee from the Department of Health that when the
General Register Office moves to Roscommon the public services currently operating in Dublin
will be retained. CIGO also had Genealogy included in the 1995 Heritage Bill, which gave added
powers to the Heritage Council. A CIGO sub-committee is preparing an indexing project to
involve volunteers from the constituent organisations.
The Council meets six times a year, but the officers and any sub-committees meet more
frequently. The Annual General Meeting, held in the Autumn/Winter, and is open to any ordinary
member of the constituent organisations. Organisations wishing to learn more about its
activities or obtain a copy of its constitution should write to: the Hon. Sec., D.K. Clarke,
21 St. Brigid's Grove, Killester, Dublin 5, Ireland.
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