Welsh Family History-Getting Started

Names

John Mary

David Margaret

Thomas Hannah

Evan Matilda

William Sarah

Edward Elizabeth

Patronymics

• Mab or ab or ap = son of

• Ferch or verch = daughter of

• In South Wales ab or ap was not always used

Examples

• Evan Rees ap John

• David Thomas Howell

• David Williams

• Matilda vch John

Naming Pattern

Second edition, Dec 2013

• Chapter four is all new & explains the transition from patronymics

• Shows the drop below 10% of the population using patronymics

One chart is worth the cost of the book

The map on page 56 shows when areas in Wales dropped below 10% of the population using patronymics.

The study is based on information in probate records.

Jurisdictions

Diocese & Parish are critical

WELSH LANGUAGE

Records in Welsh

• Nonconformist records

• Chapel histories

• Monumental inscriptions

• Periodicals

NONCONFORMITY

PARISH REGISTERS

Key Dates in Welsh Family History

• 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 begins

Pre 1813 burial (1750)

Post 1813 burial

Marriages

Marriages

• Marriages are indexed well and serve as a good finding tool

• Get your bearings by using maps

– Map of the country• https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Wales

– Map of the county showing all parishes• The book Atlas and Index of Parish Registers• Order one of the three maps for Wales at

http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/shop/contents/ihgsmaps/ihgsparishmaps/index.html?action=page&id=2

Start with a marriage index

• FindMyPast has many Welsh parish registers at https://www.findmypast.com/ or use Findmypast for free at a FamilySearch Center

• A list of county based indexes is at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Wales_Marriage_Indexes_Before_1837

Marriages pre 1754

Details to watch for 1754-1837

Post 1836 Parish Register

Some details are the same as before 1837

Some details are new

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.

CENSUS RECORDS

PROBATE RECORDS

Monumental Inscriptions

Supplement other records

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

Welsh Family History-Getting Started