The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast is one of the best regional archives in the UK. Here there are centuries of records relating to the province of Ulster and the families that have lived here. One of the main features of PRONI’s collections is the fact that they cover both public (i.e. official) and private records.
These include thousands of documents relating to the management of the great landed estates, and records of many important businesses, such as the famous shipbuilding firm Harland and Wolff. Of great value to researchers is the vast collection of church records covering all major denominations and all nine counties of Ulster.
Records relating to the governance of many of Northern Ireland’s towns can also be found in PRONI as can documentation concerning the various Boards of Guardians that administered the workhouses that once dotted the province. PRONI continues to identify and preserve records of historical, social and cultural importance and make them available for the information, education and enjoyment of the public.
Note: PRONI does not hold official records of births, marriages and deaths. These can be searched at the General Register Office (GRO) in Belfast. If you would like to carry out a search at the GRO you will need to book an appointment in advance.