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Wales Research Outline |
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Welsh Search Strategies
Step 1. Identify What You Know About Your Family
Step 2. Decide What You Want To Learn
Step 3. Select A Record To Search
Step 4. Find And Search The Record
Step 5. Use The Information
The Family History Library Catalog
Map: Wales Pre - 1974 County Structure
Map: Wales 1974 - 1966 County Structure
Map: Wales Post-1966 County Structure
Archives And Libraries
National Archives And Libraries
County Record Offices
Public And Academic Libraries
Family And Local History Society Libraries
Special Archives
Locating Web Sites For Record Offices And Libraries
Inventories, Registers, Catalogs, And Schedules
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
National Census
Understanding The Census
Searching Census Records
Locating Census Records
Census Records At The Family History Library
Census Indexes
Church Directories
Church History
Church Records
Civil Registration
General Historical Background
Information Recorded In Civil Registers
Locating Civil Registration Records
Indexes To Civil Registration Records
Searching Civil Registration Records And Indexes
Records At The Family History Library
Miscellaneous Indexes
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
Major Collections And Databases
Family Histories
Genealogical Collections
Research Coordination
Historical Geography
History
Land And Property
Estate Records
Availability Of Estate Records
Manorial Records
Language And Languages
Maps
Merchant Marine
Military Records
History And Background
Twentieth Century Records
Understanding Military Records
Locating Military And Naval Records
Records At The Family History Library
Search Strategies
Handbooks For Military Records
Names, Personal
Patronymic Names In Wales
Other Types Of Surnames
Adopting A Surname
Newspapers
Nobility
Occupations
Periodicals
Probate Records
Types Of Probate Records
Laws And Customs
Guardianship
Probating A Will
Pre-1858 Probate Courts
Post-1857 Probate Courts
Estate Duty Wills And Administrations
Locating Probate Records
Determining The Court
Indexes
Probate Records At The Family History Library
Records Not At The Family History Library
Difficulties In Locating A Pre-1858 Record
Schools
Societies
Family History Societies
Association Of Family History Societies Of Wales
The Federation Of Family History Societies
Local History Societies
One-name Groups
Locating Records At The Family History Library
Taxation
Other Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions
CENSUS A census is a count and description of a population. A census may list only selected persons (such as males between the ages of 16 and 45) or the whole population. The percentage of people listed varies with the purpose of the census and how carefully people were enumerated. Different civil and ecclesiastical authorities have taken censuses for their own purposes, which include:
For information on many of these censuses, see the “Military Records,” “Church Records,” and “Taxation” sections of this outline. Poll books are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
The national census records are especially valuable because they list nearly the entire population and are readily available at many repositories, including the Family History Library.
Using the national census is essential for Welsh genealogical research, especially in the industrial districts of South Wales, where most people were originally from a rural area. From 1851 onwards, census records give the parish of birth for each individual in a household.
The British government has taken censuses every ten years since 1801, except for 1941. The first census to list every person by name was taken in 1841. Earlier censuses contain only statistical information, but some parishes did compile lists of names while gathering information for the census, a few of which survive. See the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
Chapman, Colin R. Pre-1841 Censuses & Population Listings in the British Isles. 4th ed. Dursley, England: Lochin Publishing, 1994. (FHL 942 X27cc 1994; computer number 0740281.)
Gibson, Jeremy, and Mervyn Medlycott. Local Census Listings 1522–1930: Holdings in the British Isles. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1992. (FHL 942 X23gj; computer number 0664609.)
Census records less than 100 years old are confidential and cannot be searched by individuals. However, the 1901 census can be searched for you. To obtain an application and information about the cost for this search, write to:
The 1841 census was taken on 7 June. Most of the later censuses were taken between 31 March and 8 April, every 10 years. Instructions were to list only those persons who spent the night in each household when the census was taken. Those traveling, staying at boarding schools, or working away from home are listed where they spent the night. For example, night watchmen are often listed at their employer’s business address rather than with their families.
You will find the following information in the censuses:
The census office organized the census by civil registration districts, which were subdivided into enumeration districts. The only exception is the 1841, census which was arranged by hundreds (hundreds are administrative subdivisions of land). On the census films, each enumeration district includes a title page with the district number and a description of the area covered by the district.
Important: A few Welsh census records are lost, including the 1841 census of upper Merthyr Tydfil, the parish of Wrexham, and Ruabon and some of the 1861 census. The Clwyd Record Office, however, has a contemporary copy of the Wrexham return. Sometimes, a lost census return is found. Announcements about records that are found are usually given by a family history society journal for the area that is involved. See the “Periodicals” section of this outline for information on locating a family history society journal. It is sometimes possible to locate another record that can substitute for a census. For example, part of the missing census for Merthyr Tydfil can be supplemented with the following record:
Glamorgan Family History Society. Register of cottage leases, Dowlais Iron Company, 1818–1877. [Glamorgan, Wales]: Glamorgan Family History Society, [1996?]. (FHL book 942.97/D2 R2g; computer number 0811650.)
When searching census records, remember that:
The following sources may help you find an address:
Pre-1900 original census records are at the Public Record Office (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline for an address). The National Library of Wales, most county record offices, the Family History Library and the Family Records Centre (see the “Civil Registration” section of this outline for the address) have microfilm copies of the census records.
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of all of the government censuses from 1841–1891. The following work, commonly known as the Census Register, gives film numbers for each census year and is arranged by parish, town, village, or city:
Index of Place Names Showing the Library Microfilm Numbers for the 1841–1891 Census Records of England, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1992. (FHL book 942 X2pi; microfiche 6024509; computer number 0685602.)
The microfilm and microfiche numbers may also be found in the Family History Library Catalog in the Locality Search under:
Census indexes can reduce the time it takes to search a census. Some surname or street indexes exist for some areas.
Surname Indexes Before you use an index, make sure it covers the area you need. An index may cover part of a parish, a whole parish, a town, a subdistrict, or a district.
Surname indexes produced in Wales give the Public Record Office reference, which usually includes a piece or bundle number. To convert the bundle number in the surname index to a Family History Library call number, use:
The Family History Library Catalog lists surname indexes under:
To find surname indexes which may not be available at the Family History Library, look in:
Gibson, Jeremy, and Elizabeth Hampson, eds. Marriage, Census and Other Indexes for Family Historians. 6th ed. Birmingham: Federation of Family History Societies (Publications) Ltd., 1996. (FHL book 942 D22m 1996; computer number 0775294.) This is an inventory of the indexes that are available for marriage, census and other helpful genealogical records. It is arranged by country and then by county.
1881 Census. There is a complete transcription and index on microfiche for the 1881 census returns of England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and the Royal Navy. The index is also available on compact disc, with a partial transcription.
The index and transcription were produced through a joint effort of the Federation of Family History Societies and the Genealogical Society of Utah.
The compact disc version, 1881 British Census and National Index (50169), is available for purchase. It can be searched either nationwide or by region. The regions include the following counties:
The microfiche version is available for use at the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and other record repositories (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline). The microfiche can be searched either nationwide or by county.
Within the nationwide index are two indexes:
Within each of the county indexes are seven sections:
See 1881 British Census Indexes (34933) and Using the 1881 British Census Indexes (34700) for additional information.
To locate the microfiche numbers for the 1881 census indexes, look in the Family History Library Catalog under:
You can also determine if a street index is available at the Family History Library by looking in:
Register of Towns Indexed by Streets. Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 1998. (FHL book 942 X22r 1999; microfiche 6026692; computer number 0832008.)
If the above register does not list the town or district you need for a particular year, look for a street index in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
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WALES, [COUNTY] - VOTING REGISTERS
National Census
WALES, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CENSUS
A list of existing pre-1841 census records and other census records is found in both of the following books:
Office for National Statistics
The search will be done only if you provide the name and address (at the time the census was taken) of the individual you are seeking. You must also get written consent of the person on the record or of a direct descendant. The individual’s age and birthplace will be the only information provided.
Census Legislation, Room 4303
Segensworth Road, Titchfield
Fareham
Hampshire PO15 5RR
England
Understanding the Census
Searching Census Records
Locating Census Records
Census Records at the Family History Library
WALES, [COUNTY], [PARISH] - CENSUS
Population tables (see the “Civil Registration” section of this outline) and other aids may help you pinpoint a location on the microfilm or solve unusual difficulties you may have in finding a locality on the census.
Census Indexes
. Before you search the actual census, look for a surname index. There are many surname indexes for Welsh censuses. Most of these indexes have been produced by family history societies in Wales, and many are available at the Family History Library. The indexes vary in format and information. Some list surnames only, while others give complete transcriptions.
1841
FHL book 942 X22p 1841; film 599273 (computer number 0002520)
1851
FHL book 942 X23c
(computer number 0520104)
1861
FHL book 942 X2pib
(computer number 0445465)
1871
FHL book 942 X23cp
(computer number 0786738)
1881
FHL book 942 X22g; microfiche 6035786 (computer number 0380288)
1891
FHL book 942 X22i 1891
(computer number 0633294)
WALES, [COUNTY] - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXESWALES, [COUNTY], [DISTRICT] - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXESWALES, [COUNTY], [PARISH or TOWN] - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXES
You can also check the Census Surname Index Register (uncataloged typescript) at the Family History Library. This register is not available at Family History Centers.
[COUNTRY] - CENSUS - 1881 - INDEXES[COUNTRY], [COUNTY] - CENSUS - 1881 - INDEXES
Street Indexes. If you know the address at which an ancestor may have lived, a street index can help you quickly find your ancestor in the census. Street indexes are available for major cities in Wales.
WALES - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXESWALES, [COUNTY] - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXESWALES, [COUNTY], [CITY, PARISH OR DISTRICT] - CENSUS - [YEAR] - INDEXES
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Version of Data: 6/9/2001]