Wales and the IGI

Don't trust the IGI for Wales!!!! Many of the birth and christening records have had patronymic surnames applied incorrectly by the transcriber.

Always be suspicious when the child's surname is given as: David, Edward, Ellis, Hugh, John, Owen, William, etc.. It may be correct but it is more likely to be the father's first name.

The IGI transcriptions of the records for the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (known locally as Capel Mawr) in Rhosllannerchrugog, in Ruabon parish, Denbighshire, (Batch Number C101871) contain a baptism for a:


 * William JOHN, baptised 6 May 1827

however, selecting that record gives:


 * Birth: 7 Dec 1801
 * Christening: 6 May 1827
 * Father: John WILLIAMS
 * Mother: Sarah GRIFFITHS

showing that the child should have been recorded as William WILLIAMS.

In this part of Wales patronymic surnames were rarely used after the 18th century.

Also the quality of the transcriptions are often questionable! The same IGI transcriptions (Batch Number C101871) contain the surnames SABVAGE, SALVAGE an SAVEDG, but all should read SAVAGE!

This can make searching these records very difficult.