Following historical spellings

Make a faithful transcription first

Copy the written form before replacing it with a familiar modern spelling. Record the document’s date and reference, and mark letters you cannot read confidently. An index is a route to an image; check that image when it is available. Keep your reading of the handwriting separate from the name you eventually identify in the atlas.

Try more than one search

Search the beginning of a name, remove a restrictive county filter if necessary, and try a known Irish or English alternative. This atlas folds accents and punctuation for matching, while keeping the recorded spellings on the page. It searches prepared aliases rather than guessing every possible historical variant, so a missing result is a reason to consult another source, not proof that the place did not exist.

Distinguish a variant from a different place

Logainm distinguishes validated, provisional, historical and local name forms. These statuses carry different information: a historical form is not automatically a current official name. Its own search also suggests similar spellings. Use the record’s location, place category and surrounding names to decide whether a result fits your evidence; resemblance alone does not establish identity.

Build a small chain of evidence

Compare the name with a county, parish, neighbouring townland or street written in the same source. Then look for a second dated record that connects those details. Keep both spellings in your notes and explain the reason for the match. If two candidates remain possible, preserve the uncertainty instead of combining their residents or family histories.

Sources & starting points

Original guide prepared 25 October 2026. Our approach to sources.

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