Wales Archives and Libraries

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Archives and Libraries

Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilm. If you plan to visit a repository, contact them and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. Ask if they require you to have a reader’s ticket (a paper indicating you are a responsible researcher) to view the records, and ask how to obtain one. Although the records you need may be in an archive or library, the FamilySearch Library may have microfilmed and/or digitized copies of them.

National Library of Wales National Library of Wales Reader Services ABERYSTWYTH Ceredigion SY23 3BU Wales Telephone: +44 (0)1970 632933 Fax: +44 (0)1970 632551 Website Catalogue Search Engine Enquiries Archives and manuscripts Online pre-1858 wills Newspapers Dictionary of Welsh Biography Estate collections The National Library of Wales. This library houses church, nonconformist, court, probate, census, tax, land records, newspapers, maps, photographs, pictures and many private archive and manuscript collections. You must have a reader’s ticket to use the collections. However, the ticket may be obtained as you enter the library or by applying online. The National Archives Main article: The National Archives The National Archives Kew, Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU England Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444 Contact us Website Family history research guides Online collections Discovery (Catalogue) Paying for research Ordering copies Find an archive in the UK and beyond Links to 2,341 archives listed in The National Archives. Most archives have publications that describe their collections and how to use them. Some are online. Others are in print. If possible, study these guides before you visit or use the records, so you can use your time more effectively. Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts Commission Historical Manuscripts Commission The Historical Manuscripts Commission joined with the Public Record Office in 2003 to form The National Archives. It has responsibility for the Manorial Documents Register and the National Register of Archives (NRA) and has been working to inventory records that are in archives and private collections. The National Register of Archives (NRA) includes over 191,000 lists of manuscript collections and close to 5,000 finding aids and annual reports from various repositories. These lists are indexed and can be searched online at National Register of Archives. Part of the Manorial Documents Register is also online at Manorial Documents Register. The FamilySearch Library has a topographical index to the Publications of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. These indexes are divided into three sections: people, businesses, and organizations. The commission has also published several inventories and reports, some of which are available through the FamilySearch Library at “Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.” The Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. Guides to Sources for British History based on the National Register of Archives. Guide To The Location Of Collections Described in the Reports and Calendars Series 1870-1980. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. 1982. (FS Library book 942 H25gs vol.3; computer number 0204994, BYU FS Library book DA 30 .X1 G84.) WorldCat National Inventory of Documentary Source in the United Kingdom and Ireland "The National Inventory of Documentary Sources in the United Kingdom and Ireland" is a microfilm collection of calendars and finding aids for British archives, libraries, and museums. It provides a detailed listing of the box, folder, and sometimes individual documents contained in various collections. A name and subject index to this collection ("Index to National inventory of documentary sources in the United Kingdom and Ireland") is available in a few archives and libraries, including the FamilySearch Library (FS Library film 6341118). Archive Finder ($) includes online indexing by names and detailed subject for over 47,000 collections whose finding aids have been published separately in ProQuest UMI's microfiche series, National Inventory of Documentary Sources in the United Kingdom and Ireland. County Archives, Libraries, Museums, and Record Offices Here you will find links to Wiki articles providing information and links to archives, libraries, museums, and record offices at the county level: Anglesey Archives and Libraries Breconshire Archives and Libraries Caernarfonshire Archives and Libraries Cardiganshire Archives and Libraries Carmarthenshire Archives and Libraries Denbighshire Archives and Libraries Flintshire Archives and Libraries Glamorgan Archives and Libraries Merionethshire Archives and Libraries Monmouthshire Archives and Libraries Montgomeryshire Archives and Libraries Pembrokeshire Archives and Libraries Radnorshire Archives and Libraries City, occupational, and ecclesiastical archives City, occupational, and ecclesiastical archives also hold family history information. Holdings and services vary widely. Find an archive in the UK and beyond Links to 2,341 archives listed by The National Archives. Cyndi's List provides 92 links to a variety of archives across a wide spectrum of specialties. Most newspapers have archival records that can be accessed. Unfortunately Wales no longer has a National Newspaper. However there are many local and regional newspapers, as well as on line newspapers. The following website provides lists of Local and Regional Newspapers that can be a rich source of archival information: British Newspaper Archives Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HE England Website Search index for digital newspapers Libraries The British Library The British Library is the national repository for all published materials in England. Because its collection is so complex, usually only experienced researchers use it. British Library at St. Pancras 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB England Website Search the main catalogue Explore Archives and Manuscripts Guildhall Library Guildhall Library has many guild (occupation) and business records, kept at: Guildhall Library Aldermanbury London EC2P 2EJ England Website Maritime Collection City of London Collection The Society of Genealogists The Society of Genealogists has extensive records from all over England. They also have the largest collection of transcribed parish registers in England. The address is: Society of Genealogists 356 Holloway Road London N7 6PA Ehgland Telephone: (020) 7251 8799 Website Online collections Catalogue A catalogue of parish register copies in the possession of the Society of Genealogists, 1963 Public Libraries Public Libraries in the United Kingdom This website frequently provides a link to the online catalog of each library in the directory. Public libraries collect many published sources such as local histories, city directories, maps, newspapers, family histories, and parish registers. Museums Ebbw Vale Works Museum, Unit 15 Cwm Draw Industrial Estate, Newtown, Ebbw Vale NP23 5AE Telephone: 01495 350941 Email: ev_works_at@btinternet.com The archive contains a large number of legal and estate documents dating back to the 17th century, including the original agreements on farmland purchases for building the first furnaces and documents relating to the acquisition of ironworks and collieries during the periods of industrial expansion. The collection also has information relating to the mineral rights, water reserves, maps, plans, balance sheets, minutes of shareholder's Annual General Meetings and records on the development of processes and products, staffing and the changing skills of the personnel of the works. Record Offices General Register Office Main article: General Register Office for England and Wales Research your family history using the General Register Office Gov.UK guide. The General Register Office (part of the Identity and Passport Service) houses government birth, marriage, and death certificates from 1 July 1837 to the present for all of England and Wales. Copies may be obtained either online or by post from the General Register Office or from the local register office where the event was registered. Ordering certificates Postal address: Certificate Services Section General Register Office PO Box 2 Southport PR8 2JD England Email: certificate.services@gro.gsi.gov.uk Website: Certificate ordering service Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1837 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Saturday 9am to 4pm) County Record Offices See County Archives, Libraries, Museums, and Record Offices, above for links to an Archives and Libraries Wiki article for each county . In England each, county has one or more offices that house records about the particular county. Records of genealogical value in these offices include land records, church records, taxation records, probate records, miscellaneous indexes, and collections. Some county record offices have personal or place-name indexes to some of the records in their collection. County record offices are open to the public. Some require a reader’s ticket. If you write for information, be as concise as possible. The offices are small and have limited staff, so you may have to wait a few weeks for a reply. If staff members are unable to search their records, you may ask for a list of record agents who can search the records for you. Reference books giving addresses and maps locating county record offices: Gibson, J.S.W. and Pamela Peskett. Record Offices--How to Find Them. [England]: Federation of Family History Societies, c1987. FS Library Collection. WorldCat. Church, Rosemary, and Jean Cole. In and Around Record Repositories in Great Britain and Ireland. 3rd ed. Huntingdon, Cambridge: Family Tree Magazine, 1992. (FS Library book 942 J54cj; computer number 0673604.) This gives street and mailing addresses and maps showing the locations of offices. WorldCat. Record Repositories in Great Britain: A Geographical Guide. 10th ed. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1997. (FS Library book 942 J54r 1999; computer number 0638954.) This gives street and mailing addresses of the repositories, along with their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and Internet sites. WorldCat. General Guides Some guides to English archives and libraries are: Foster, Janet, and Julia Sheppard. British Archives: A Guide to Archive Resources in the United Kingdom. 3rd ed. New York: Stockton Press Ltd., 1995. (FS Library book 942 J54f 1995; computer number 0763911.) (BYU FS Library book CD 1040 .F67 2001 4th ed.) This guide lists addresses, major records, and publications of various repositories in the United Kingdom. It is indexed by county and by type of collection. Iredale, David. Enjoying Archives: What They Are, Where to Find Them, How to Use Them. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore & Co. Ltd., 1985. (FS Library book 942 A5i 1985; computer number 0183662.) This guide describes the heritage of documents in Great Britain and a few of the archives where documents are stored. It explains the work of the county record office, how the staff preserves manuscripts, and a method for reading old records. Moulton, Joy Wade. Genealogical Resources in English Repositories. Columbus, Ohio: Hampton House, 1988. Supplement published 1992. (FS Library book 942 J54m; computer number 0469640.) (BYU FS Library book CS 414 .X1 M94 1996.) This book contains addresses and describes the holdings of county record offices, genealogical and family history societies, and other repositories. Maps of repository locations are included. Tallon, Maura. Church in Wales: Diocesan libraries Item 8 on film. Inventories, Registers, Catalogs, and Schedules Most archives have publications that describe their collections and how to use them. If possible, study these guides before you visit or use the records so you can use your time more effectively. Many published inventories, guides, catalogs, and directories for archives and libraries are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under: WALES - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS WALES, [COUNTY] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS WALES, [COUNTY], [CITY] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS GREAT BRITAIN-ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES-INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS-INDEXES References

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