Self-Study & Research Portal

Welcome to the MIHC Genealogy Research Portal!

Although we specialize in Irish and Irish-American genealogy, our resources extend far beyond Ireland. Through AmericanAncestors.org, you’ll have access to more than 400 record-based databases containing billions of records from around the globe—including the United States, the British Isles, continental Europe, and more. This includes one of the most extensive online collections of early American genealogical records and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines.

As a member of the Maine Irish Heritage Center, you’ll have exclusive access to an exceptional suite of premium genealogy resources, including:

• American Ancestors from the New England Historic Genealogical Society
• FamilySearch Affiliate Library version, offering expanded records and images
• Newspapers.com, a vast archive of historical newspapers
• RootsIreland.ie, Ireland’s most extensive collection of church and civil records
• FindMyPast, a leading platform for Irish and British genealogy
• Ancestry Library Edition, the library-access version of the world’s most popular genealogy database

Alongside these premium tools, the portal connects you with the best public and free resources available, all in one place:

• Ireland’s National Archives, including census returns and military service records
• Ellis Island Passenger Search, for tracking Irish immigration to the United States
• Griffith’s Valuation, a key mid-19th-century property and tax survey of Ireland
• And many more trusted databases to support your search

Visitors are welcome by appointment to bring their own laptops to use in our genealogy research library, or they can take advantage of one of our dedicated research computers, pre-loaded with access to all our premium and public resources. Access is free for Maine Irish Heritage Center members, while non-members are invited to explore our resources for a fee of $25 for a two-hour session. Whether you’re working independently or just getting started, our library is designed to make your research experience as convenient and productive as possible.

Whether you’re uncovering generations of Irish ancestry or piecing together your family’s American story, the Genealogy Research Portal is your gateway to meaningful discovery.

Free Access from Anywhere: Online Genealogy Tools at Your Fingertips

Library & Genealogy Research Services

Genealogy Services

The Maine Irish Heritage Center provides research assistance for locating Irish ancestors, with special expertise in the Connemara region of Galway which was the source of much of the immigration to Maine. We offer two types of access to ancestry research resources. Subscription-based content is only available in the library. Other resources are freely available and can be accessed anytime from the comfort of your home.

Spend an hour with our genealogists coming up with a game plan. People consistently tell us that this helps save them time and enables them to focus on what’s important. Good luck with your search!