The Septs, the quarterly journal of the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI), invites original articles from researchers, genealogists, and enthusiasts of Irish heritage. It offers a platform to share instructional and informational works about Ireland and the Irish diaspora. Membership in IGSI is not required to submit.

If you are interested in writing an article, contact our managing editors first to see if your topic is a good fit for the publication. Contact: SeptsMnged@IrishGenealogical.org

What We Are Looking For

The Septs welcomes high-quality articles on any Irish genealogy topic. While each issue has a theme, we consider first-rate submissions on all subjects related to Irish family history research.

Feature articles (theme-related): 1,500 to 3,000 words. General articles (non-theme topics): 750 to 1,500 words.

All submissions must be original, unpublished works that are not under review elsewhere.

Types of Articles We Publish:

Ancestral research findings – detailed accounts of your Irish genealogical discoveries, focusing on Irish county research and emigration patterns.
Methodology articles – step-by-step guides showing how you overcame specific Irish research challenges, demonstrating your research journey and how you navigated record gaps or utilized unique Irish sources.
Resource reviews – assessments of recently published Irish genealogy books, websites, databases, or archival collections, particularly lesser-known repositories and emerging digital resources.
Family chronicles – captivating stories of your Irish ancestors' lives, from their experiences in Ireland through their emigration journeys and settlement in new lands.
Historical context pieces – articles that place Irish families in broader historical events and explore social conditions that shaped their ancestors' lives.

IGSI members can access back issues through the members' portal on our website. A comprehensive archive dating back over 40 years is a benefit of membership.

We encourage submissions from genealogists at all levels – from beginners sharing their first discoveries to seasoned researchers with complex findings. Every Irish story deserves to be told.

Upcoming The Septs Issues and Themes
Our intent is to provide good information for members to assist them in doing their Irish genealogy. Do you have such information? You do not have to be

January 2026 Documenting Death- submit by November 15, 2025

Learn more about your ancestors via sources such as death certificates, obituaries, probate materials, funeral homes, cemeteries, and even gravestone symbology. Techniques for accessing and interpreting death records are also encouraged.

April 2026 Irish Tapestry - submit by February 15, 2026
Contribute stories or resources focused on genealogy that explore topics not usually covered by standard Septs themes. All submissions will be considered.

July 2026 Using Historical Newspapers - submit by May 15, 2026

Explore how and when to use newspapers (or journals) to track ancestors beyond an obituary and provide context about their lives. Articles on newspaper repositories or newspaper case studies are welcome.

October 2026 Immigration - submit by August 15, 2026

The most requested topic from our 2023 Reader Survey was Immigration. Articles may explore passenger lists, naturalization records, alien registrations, one-step webpages, and more, to provide updated information since our last Immigration-themed issue in 2019.

Note

While we have set a theme for each issue, we always welcome good articles related to any aspect of Irish genealogy.
If you have an article, send it now. We love to get material early.
Artlcle length should be 1,500 to 3,000 words for topics on theme.
Recommended length for articles unrelated to the theme is 750 to 1,500 words.
Contact us if you want to discuss your idea for an article.
We are seeking previously unpublished original material.

IGSI editors reserve the right to edit the submission and decide whether we will publish it. You will be advised as to its use.

View The Septs submission guide (opens in a new browser tab)