Learning about Welsh Ancestors



WelshAnyone who has ancestors from the United Kingdom just may have an ancestor from Wales. This country is part of the United Kingdom and on the island of Great Britain. Bordering Wales is England, the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. With a present population of approximately three million, its ethnic make-up is Celtic with its own distinctive cultural traits and a long history. A good source to start learning more about any Welsh ancestors is The National Library of Wales. They have online Archival Databases.

The newest addition to the collection are Probate and Wills index. They have Wills before 1858 which have been proved in the Welsh Ecclesiastical courts. There are over 193,000 records alone in this database. There is a search engine to assist. Other databases which would be helpful are the marriage affidavits and bonds from 1616 to 1837. Or the data under Crimes and Punishments can provide some interesting information. Here is the listing of the crimes, the criminals and their punishment in Wales from 1730 to 1830.

The Library of Wales also has a section called Digital Mirror.
Here divided into categories are a variety of fascinating illustrations, maps, photos and information about Wales. This section will not have individual families or surnames, but will offer the researcher a greater insight into the Welsh people, history and land.

There are in the Digital Mirror, a collection of Welsh biographies of those citizens who made major contributions over the decades to Wales. Another section is of manuscripts, dating from the early ages into the 20th century. The portion covering the early modern era, the 18th through the16th centuries, represents the best of Welsh poetry, history, stories, journals, essays and family pedigrees.

The collection of pictures have illustrations and paintings of Welsh landscapes and portraits. Separate are photographs which have many daguerreotypes, tintypes and cabinet cards photos from the mid-1800s to about 1930. Not all, but many are labeled with full names and dates.

The map section from atlases done in the 18th century are also helpful in finding Welsh towns and villages. The exhibit section is a mixture of Welsh sports, immigration, architecture, political and Welsh music. To add to the experience of learning about Wales is the Sound and Video portion. Here actual recordings of Welsh music can be listened to, some dating to 1899. The videos cover from 1936 to the 1990s.

The Library of Wales offers the opportunity to experience Wales without leaving your home.

< Return To Blog I am lookig for information on Frank Pool Woodend born (1874) who came frm England, my great grandfather who came to then Rhodisia(now Zimbabwe) and died in the Second World War. He had sons, morris,mark, and a daughter im not sure if he had other children. If anyone has any info plse send to ([email protected]). Thank u all for your help.
Matilda George (woodend) 28/04/11


I have located some information on Frank Poole Woodend and his family. It will be emailed to you.
alice 28/04/11


I trying to fined my geart grand father EDWARD EVANS ALONG WITH HIS FATHER &MOTHER AND MY GREAT GRAND MOTHER MARY HOWLLESEVANS ALONG THIS HER FATHER AND MOTHER AS WELL
carol collins 28/04/11




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