Counties of Wales
Most researchers will be researching with the context of these historic counties. Wales, like many other countries, has seen much reorganisation over time and it may be necessary to search in several counties.
Under the Local Government Act 1972, all of these historic counties and administrative counties were abolished, for both local government and ceremonial purposes, on April 1, 1974.
See the relevant county pages for further information.
| pre 1974 | 1974-1996 | post 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Anglesey | Gwynedd | Anglesey |
| Breconshire | Powys Mid Glamorgan Gwent |
Powys Rhondda Cynon Taf Monmouthshire |
| Caernarfonshire | Gwynedd | Gwynedd Conwy |
| Cardiganshire | Dyfed | Ceredigion |
| Carmarthenshire | Dyfed | Carmarthenshire Pembrokeshire |
| Denbighshire | Clwyd Powys |
Denbighshire Flintshire Wrexham Conwy |
| Flintshire | Clwyd | Flintshire Denbighshire Wrexham |
| Glamorgan | Mid Glamorgan South Glamorgan West Glamorgan |
Bridgend Merthyr Tydfil Rhondda Cynon Taf Caerphilly Cardiff Vale of Glamorgan Swansea Neath Port Talbot |
| Merionethshire | Gwynedd Clwyd |
Gwynedd Denbighshire |
| Monmouthshire | Mid Glamorgan South Glamorgan |
Monmouthshire Newport Blaenau Gwent Islwyn Torfaen Caerphilly |
| Montgomeryshire | Powys | Powys |
| Pembrokeshire | Dyfed | Pembrokeshire |
| Radnorshire | Powys | Powys |