Digging Deeper into Welsh Genealogy

MAPS

Jurisdictions

Diocese & Parish are critical

Excellent topographical map

Key Dates in Welsh Genealogy

• 1538 christening, marriage and burial records begin

• 1597 Bishop’s transcripts begin

• 1754 pre-printed forms for marriages

• 1813 pre-printed forms used for christenings & burials

• 1837 civil registration

• 1841 census records begin, done every ten years

CENSUS RECORDS

NONCONFORMITY

PARISH REGISTERS

Pre 1813 burial (1750)

Post 1813 burial

Marriages

Start with a marriage index

• Marriages indexes serve as a good finding tool

• FindMyPast has many Welsh parish registers at https://www.findmypast.com/

• Use FindMyPast for free at a FamilySearch Center

Marriages pre 1754

Details to watch for 1754-1837

Post 1836 Parish Register

Christenings

Christenings often show:

• child’s given name

• Father’s name

• Mother’s name

Sometimes included:

• Family residence such as the village, street or farm name

• Father’s occupation

Post 1812 parish register christening

Bishop’s Transcript

CIVIL REGISTRATION

David Thomas Howell Death Notice

On the 11th inst., aged 75 years, Mr. David Thomas Howell, landlord of the Star Public house, Llanguicke. He was for many years a consistent member of the Independents, and was highly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him.

PROBATE RECORDS

RECORD SUPPLEMENTS / SUBSTITUTES

Monumental Inscriptions

Use with other records

Local Histories

There was another poet living in the district known as Howell Gellilwca, who was grandfather to Evan Evans, superindendent of police in Neath at this time, but who was born and brought up in Betting Ganol.

Manuscript Pedigrees

Strategies for Success

• Kill off your ancestor

• Find your ancestor in every census

• Always search both the Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts

Strategies for Success

• Use indexes

• Don’t trust indexes

• Watch for patronymics:David Thomas Howell is a clue

Digging Deeper into Welsh Genealogy