Wales Genealogy

From the earliest times the social order in Wales, as elsewhere, was bound up with the division and occupation of the land. The laws of the medieval king Hywel Dda depict a semi-nomadic people with strong tribal affinities, practicing a pastoral economy. From the eleventh century the numerous Welsh princes attempted to Read more...

Beginners' corner
What do you want to learn about your ancestor?


 * Birth
 * Marriage
 * Death or burial

Featured content

 * Browse by Topic: Pages for Wales
 * Research Strategy: Searching for Ancestors in Wales Before 1700
 * Database of early Welsh families: Welsh Families Project
 * FamilySearch: Welsh Records
 * Emigration: The Mimosa
 * Article: Wales Missing Census Records
 * Research Places: Aberkenfig Resource Centre & Cefn Mawr Resource Centre
 * The National Library of Wales Record: Manuscript Pedigrees

News and events
News:
 * As of 1 April 2009 The National Library of Wales will be closed on Saturdays in an attempt to cut costs.
 * The National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth has begun a £20 million project to make large parts of its collection available on-line. The project will take 10 years to complete and will involve the digitising of millions of documents, newspapers and books.
 * The next national Census in Wales will be held on 27 March, 2011. A "rehearsal" of this 2011 census will take place in Anglesey on 11 October, 2009 and will involve about 34,000 households.
 * BBC Wales have relaunched their website on Welsh Family History
 * FamilySearch is now receiving Welsh parish registers on microfilm.
 * Americymru is planning to hold a major event in Portland in August 2009. The "Left Coast Eisteddfod" will be a celebration of all things Welsh and in particular of the American Welsh heritage which has so enriched the history of America.
 * Screen Wales has free online video clips for many places and topics of interest such as Cardiff, Llandudno, Mold, Swansea and Wrexham.

Events:
 * 14 Feb 2009: Clwyd Family History Society - "Monumental Inscriptions", at St. David's Church Hall, Mold, Flintshire, Wales.
 * 21 February 2009: DNA and Welsh Family History Past, Present and Future by Mr. Brian Swann in connection with the Dyfed Family History Society Annual General Meeting.
 * June 2009: Wales at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, on the National Mall, Washington D.C. Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2009
 * More details &amp; events ...

Things you can do

 * Participate in the Wales study group
 * Plan Your Research Trip to Wales
 * Take one of many Welsh Language Courses

Useful websites

 * BBC Wales - Family History
 * National Gazetteer of Wales
 * Wales Lookup Exchange
 * Graveyard Welsh
 * Welsh Mormon History

more Wales Websites