Wales Early Manuscript and Printed Pedigrees

These records normally date before 1700. Information is often included for years not covered by parish church records.

Content

These records contain;

• names
• parents names
• name of spouse
• place of residence (farm or village) and sometimes place of origin
• occupation or status such as gentleman or esquire

Before using this record, know this

• family name
• area where the family lived (this may be as general as the county but the more specific the better)

Before using this record, search this

• Medieval Families Welsh Project
• Church records

Where to find the original records

Manuscripts may be found at an archive or library listed below. Some of the National Library of Wales pedigrees are on microfilm.

• National Library of Wales
• National Library of Wales Manuscript Pedigrees on microfilm
• The British Library
• College of Arms

How to search the record

Normally you will need to search the pedigrees by name. There are a few that have partial indexes to aid in the search.

Record sample

Manuscript Pedigree.jpg Griffith of Ynys Dderw

Tips

• An index of place-names may be more useful than a name index.
• Individuals may be listed in different portions of the manuscript, especially daughters. If there is no complete index be sure to search document thoroughly.
• Spellings may not match with what you are familiar with. Look at the context to help decide if the person or family fits in with what you already know.
• A family or individual may be recorded in more than one manuscript
• Wives and daughters may not be named but referred to as "daughter of..."

What to do next

• Compare what you find with details already known about the person or family.
• Search probate records.
• Search title deeds to verify what has been learned.