Brian J. Cantwell's Memorials of the Dead - Description

The following is a description and critical analysis of the indexes published by Brian J. Cantwell (hereafter BJC) in his Memorials of the Dead which are layered and differ in time, authorship and methodology. The original task of putting the entries in alphabetical order was attained by BJC through the simple but cumbersome task of writing out slips of paper with surnames from his field notebook, putting them in order and then typing the text in that order. This system was prone to error and led to addenda and omissions covering entries, or parts of, being added on at the end of each chapter of his typescript text.

Original (paper) Indexes

1. Surnames: the Memorials: The memorials for each section (either a church and/or graveyard) are organized in alphabetical order using the lead surname, which appears in capital letters. The surnames were capitalized in a standard format though there are minor errors due to not using the shift key and other keystroke errors with Mc/Mac and prefixes such as Le and De, etc. There are other minor discrepancies between these and the text.
   The entries for each set of inscriptions are in alphabetical order with other surnames denoted by linking headings, i.e. 'WALSH see BYRNE'. If there is more than one BYRNE than the number of the entry is given, i.e. BYRNE 2b). There is one significant difference between volumes 1-2 and the rest. In the first two volumes the lead surname index also included the forename. A typical entry is 'BYRNE, Mary. See John BYRNE' and the relevant entry is listed under BYRNE John. Thereafter the index was simplified to a surname index; forenames were omitted.
   
   
2. Surnames: Volume Index: Each volume was indexed alphabetically, listing the surnames by graveyard, using their numbers. It is important to note that the pages are not paginated but give the graveyard number. There can be minor discrepancies between these and the Graveyard indexes. However, this should not be an issue when you use the online indexes.
   
   
3. Surnames: Consolidated Index: The third index, volume 10, was compiled in 1986 after Wicklow and Wexford were completed and arose from the author's dissatisfaction with the volume indices. He also thought it useful to have a composite index of the two counties. This index was taken from the text and not the previous volume indexes. There are therefore be corrections and additions, which tend to appear in written glosses in his original volumes and subsequent copies.
   
   
4. Occupational Indexes: Each volume has a detailed. In volume 10 these are consolidated and summarized in a basic index that shows the presence of a particular occupation in a particular volume. Ian Cantwell has prepared a complete occupational index [not presently available] from all counties linked to the surname.
   
   
5. Place name index: BJC quailed at the thought of the work involved when it was suggested at the time of the compilation of volume 10. Ian Cantwell has prepared a new composite place name index. It must be noted that this is a selective index as various editorial decisions were made in relation to content, as follows:
   • Place names that are the same as the graveyard name are not included. For example Wexford has not been indexed in any Wexford graveyard, but it should not be difficult to find such entries in the text; though of course specific addresses with Wexford are included. Street and other addresses are covered irrespective or where they are.
   • Secondly the county is given only when listed on the memorial; no attempt has been made to identify places. If the county given is the same as the county indexed than this is not given and in the case of the Dublin volume references to Dublin City, as well as county, are excluded. The index for each county has been divided into 'Places within Ireland' and 'Places outside of Ireland'. Researchers of the American continents should check America as well as their respective country. Places in Asia are occasionally problematic due to fluctuating borders and proper identification has not always been possible, particularly in India before Partition (1947) and obscure ports in the East Indies.
   • Thirdly a place name, or variant, is indexed only once per surname or variant. For example Ballybeg, Balybeg, Ballybegg appearing in memorials to Brien, Brian and Bryan will only appear once.
   • The index is primarily to make cross-connections between peoples and places and as a guide for further detailed place name research.

There will always be errors in any index, which can multiply if an index is used as the source for another index; therefore the art is to try and make them as independent as possible. Indexes are convenient shortcuts but not a substitute for research.