The Emigrant Savings Bank and Irish Immigrants
Find Ancestors from Ireland in this Genealogy Record
Jun 17, 2009
Many genealogists know of Irish ancestors, but it can be difficult to continue research in Ireland without knowing the town these ancestors came from. The Test Book entries in the Emigrant Savings Bank records can make the connection from the United States back to Ireland.
History of the Emigrant Savings Bank
Members of the Irish Emigrant Society began the Emigrant Savings Bank in 1850 to help their working class members. Depositors were mostly Irish, but other European nationalities also appear in the records. The Emigrant Savings Bank had become the largest in the nation by the 1920s, and it continues as an active bank today.
Test Books Hold Most Genealogical Information
The Emigrant Savings Bank kept several volumes of records. For genealogy searches, the Indexes and Test Books are the place to start. These books generally run from 1850 to 1868. There may have been later volumes, but none have been discovered to date.
The Index Books will point to an Irish ancestor’s name and account number. With the account number, a genealogist can find that ancestor’s information in the Test Books.
The Test Books were filled with personal information about each depositor, so that they could be properly identified by asking questions, especially if they were illiterate. Information about the account holder can include:
- First and last name
- Occupation
- Current residence
- Names of spouse and children
- Names of parents and siblings
- Birthplace and residence in Ireland
- Date of landing in America
- Name of ship
- Port of departure in Ireland, and arrival in America
Death Records, Real Estate History Recorded
Once an Irish ancestor has been located in the Test Book, it’s worth the time to check the Transfer, Signature, and Test Books. These cover the years 1850 to 1883, but several volumes are missing. They do not contain any new accounts, but served as additional test books when there was a change to the account. If a new signature was required for some reason, or if the depositor lost a passbook and needed a new one, it was recorded here, often with updated information. Also, if the original account holder died and the account was transferred to a surviving spouse or child, it would be recorded here.
For genealogists lucky enough to have an ancestor who owned a home, the real estate volumes can provide lifestyle details. The Bond and Mortgage Records include the borrower’s name, amount of the loan, date of loan approval, address of the house, and usually a location drawing. These range from 1851 to 1904, and an index is available.
Real Estate Loan Ledgers carry on from 1905 to 1923 and include similar information.
Where to Find Emigrant Savings Bank Records
The New York Public Library’s Rare Book Division holds the 59 actual volumes from the Emigrant Savings Bank. The Test Books and others important to genealogists are more accessible in a variety of places:
Microfilm copies are available at most major genealogy libraries, including the LDS Family History Library (Salt Lake City) and the New York Public Library. Microfilms from the Family History Library can be loaned to local Family History Centers for access close to home.
Online, the records can be easily searched at Ancestry.com for a membership fee. They have also been posted at GenExchange.com for free, but this site is currently “performing maintenance,” (as of June 16, 2009) and interested researchers should check back regularly.
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