Archive site should use 'Derry' - McLaughlin
The National Archives of Ireland has been urged to allow people to search its website using the name 'Derry' as well as 'Londonderry.'
Currently the website, which features records from the 1901 and 1911 censuses of Ireland, only allows people to perform searches using ‘Londonderry.’
Sinn Fin councillor Maeve McLaughlin said a number of local people had raised concerns about the website.
“I was contacted by a constituent this week who had read in the local press that the National Archives of Ireland had a new online facility which provided details of the household returns and ancillary records for the censuses of Ireland of 1901 and 1911
“They decided to go online and check out details on their family history but were slightly surprised when they went to check details about Derry that they had to enter Londonderry in the search engine. In the section entitled Ireland in the early 20th century it gives details on the history of cities such as Belfast, Dublin, Waterford but Derry is not included,” she said.
Colr. McLaughlin called on the owners of the site to change the search terms. “I understand the material being entered on this site may be a work in progress but I find it strange that a city with as much history and culture as Derry is not on there already. I would urge the National Archives of Ireland to review the content of the site as soon as possible.This web site is used by the Irish diaspora across the world and as reference point and a very important educational tool,” she said.
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Weather for Derry
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
