Ireland, Catholic Qualification and Convert Rolls, 1701-1845

Historical Context

This collection is made up of both qualification and convert rolls. Convert rolls, as the name suggests, details the names of individuals who renounced the Catholic church in favour of the official state church, the Church of Ireland. Converting in this period was the only way to fully escape the sentences and penalties handed out to Catholics and other non-conformists. The Qualification rolls include names of those who took an oath of allegiance to the King. Taking this oath 'qualified' the person to recover some (but not all) rights denied to non-members of the established church. However, those taking the Oath were not required to convert.

What can I find in these records?

You may be able to find the following information (where available):

• Name
• Occupation
• Date of Conversion/Oath
• Residence Place