17th century sources
Apart from the records of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers') records, which run almost continuously from the late 17th century, few Northern Ireland church records date back to the late 17th century. There are only four Presbyterian churches and 15 parishes of the Church of Ireland (for example, Templemore Parish, County Londonderry, Seagoe Parish, County Armagh and Derriaghy Parish, County Antrim) which have any such records.
Some estate archives will have 17th century records, for example, that of the Drapers' Company in County Londonderry and of the Archbishopric of Armagh.
Other important 17th century sources include:
Muster rolls
All able-bodied Protestant men between the ages of 16 and 60 were liable for military service. Landlords were required to muster their Protestant tenants from time to time for inspection by the government appointed Muster-Master General. The latter recorded the names and types of arms borne by the tenants. The original muster rolls were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in Dublin in 1922, but copies of some have survived.For further details see Family Tree Leaflet 12 - Militia, Yeomanry Lists and Muster Rolls (34KB) 
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.Books of Survey and Distribution
This survey was compiled c.1680 for the land settlements following the wars of the mid-17th century. It is a record of land ownership before the Cromwellian and Williamite Wars as well as of the names of individuals who received confiscated lands from the Crown. A set of volumes of the books of Survey and Distribution can be found in the Annesley Papers (177KB) in PRONI which have been microfilmed (main PRONI Reference MIC/532).Hearth Money rolls
These are lists of names of householders who had to pay a tax depending on the number of hearths or fireplaces in their houses, with details of the number of hearths on which they were taxed. The original rolls were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922 but copies of some have survived.Subsidy rolls
These are lists by parish of the nobility, clergy and laity who had sufficient property to qualify for payment of a grant in aid to the Crown. They will therefore only include the wealthier citizens. The original rolls were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922 but copies of some have survived.Poll Tax returns
The Poll tax was a duty levied on each person, both male and female, that varied depending on their status. Their names and status (gentleman, yeoman or farmer and servant or labourer) is given by townland with the amount payable. There is considerable doubt over the accuracy of the status of individuals, as it would appear that people often classed themselves in a lower class in order to evade the tax. The original rolls were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922 but copies of some have survived.Summonister rolls
These were copies of fines imposed and recognizances forfeited at Assizes, Quarter Sessions and in the King’s courts. Among the reasons for the imposition of fines was non-appearance at court. Names and residences of offenders are recorded. The original rolls were lost in the destruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland in 1922 but copies of some, mainly for Counties Londonderry and Tyrone, have survived.For further details on the above sources, see Family Tree Leaflet 14 – 17th century Census Substitutes (36KB) .
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