A Guide to Tracing Your Westmeath Ancestors

Westmeath is an inland county in the province of Leinster; it is often referred to as ""The Lake County."" It is primarily agricultural, with prime grazing land and a reputation for its beef. The main towns are Athlone, Mullingar, Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, and Moate. The main Gaelic families in the county include MacGeoghegan, O'Coffy, O'Daly, O'Higgans, O'Malone, O'Mulbrennan, and O'Mullady, later Norman arrivals include Lacy, Tuite, Hussey, D'Alton, Delamare, Dillon, and Nugent. Although less affected by the Famine its population declined from 141,000 in 1845 to about 86,000 currently. This book sets out the records available for County Westmeath, where they can be accessed, and how they can be used to best effect in tracing Westmeath families.