Archives and Libraries for Monmouthshire-related family history research. 

Generally speaking, Archives(more commonly known as Record Offices) are repositories for original source material, such as Wills or Parish Registers, whereas the Local Studies Sections of Libraries are where you'd expect to find the Census, and printed local source material, such as Trade Directories

More detailed information, and some useful comments based on our own experiences, are offered below.

• Record Offices

• Gwent Archives
  General Offices
  Steelworks Road
  Ebbw Vale
  Blaenau Gwent
  NP23 6DN

Gwent Record Office was formerly the Monmouthshire County Record Office prior to 1974. The modern county of Gwent comprises most of Monmouthshire and a small part of Breconshire. The remaining parts of Monmouthshire were transferred to the modern county of Glamorgan.

• Glamorgan Record Office
  Clos Parc Morgannwg, Leckwith, Cardiff, CF11 8AW

  Email: GlamRO@cardiff.gov.uk        Tel.  029 2087 2200

  Some records for the parishes of Llanfihangel-Y-Fedw/Michaelston-y-Fedw, in old Monmouthshire may be found at the Glamorgan Record Office.

   

• National Library of Wales
  ABERYSTWYTH
  Wales   SY23 3BU

  The National Library of Wales holds nearly all Bishops Transcripts and other diocesan records for Wales. The ancient dioceses covering Monmouthshire were Llandaff (most of the county) and St David's.

   

• Hereford Record Office
  Fir Tree Lane, Rotherwas, Hereford HR2 6LA
  Tel: +44 (0)1432 260 750. It is in a dedicated modern building and their catalogue is now online (or certainly most of it).  There is plenty of car parking space in the grounds and there is a cafe nearby where patrons can get basic lunch. (Rotherwas is on the southern outskirts of Hereford.)

  Some records for the parishes of Dixton, Llangiwa / Llangua and Monmouth / Trefynwy are to be found at the Hereford Record Office.

   

• Records Retained by the Parish Church

  Finally, when all else fails... some parish records may still be held at the parish church - often with good reason, as perhaps a register is still in use. However please do not take too seriously any statement on individual GENUKI/MON parish pages that records are still kept by the Incumbent. Most parish registers will now be found at county Record Offices, so please do enquire there first.

  If parish registers are however still with the church, a statutory fee will be levied for searches, between £15-18 per hour.

  See also the ARCHON (Archives On-Line) Information service for locations of other Record Offices throughout the country.

  NB: Unfortunately, the splendid Access to Archives Database covers only Archives in England at present; however a comparable source is provided by - providing a quick reference source of documents held by Record Offices, universities and other bodies throughout Wales.

• Museums

  • Museums in Monmouthshire 

• Libraries

• City of Newport - Library Service
  Newport Central Library
  John Frost Square
  Newport
  South Wales   NP9 1PA

   

• Monmouthshire Libraries

  Monmouthshire Libraries have recently acquired Ancestry Library Edition, available free in all libraries including Gilwern and Usk. This apparently means you can use the library facilities to search Ancestry.com

Moelwyn I Williams, National Library of Wales journal Vol IX pp188-215

TABLES

These are entries extracted by Gareth Hicks from the first of the Tables only (which covers the year 1667) - which in all cover p 201-215 in the article .
See also the supplementary NOTES below the main table.

DETAILS OF THE SHIPMENTS OF GOODS INTO AND OUT OF ABERTHAW, A CREEK OF THE PORT OF CARDIFF, BETWEEN 1666 AND 1735, TRANSCRIBED FROM THE EXCHEQUER KING'S REMEMBRANCER PORT BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS IN THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES

I

EXTRACTS FROM THE SWANSEA AND NEATH PORT BOOK (CUSTOMER AND CONTROLLER) P.R.O. E.190/ 1277/9  MICHAELMAS 1666 TO MICHAELMAS 1667

DATE=all 1667
DESTINATION=all Minehead
DATE-NAME OF SHIP-MASTER-CARGO

• Jan. 24-Blessing of Aberthaw-Arthur Sweet -3 packs, 3 fardles, 1pocket of stockins ; 2 k'kns. 1 firkin butter, 9 bullocks, 30 sheep, 4 cwt. of tallow,1 pack wooll
• Feb. 27-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-4 packs 3 fardles stockins, 1 bagg wooll, 4 k'kns. butter, 3 trunks
• Mar. 12-Blessing of Aberthaw-Arthur Sweet-19 (a[t]tle
• Mar. 15-Arthur & Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-4 piggs, 5 packs wooll, 3 fardles stockins, 3 k'kns. of butter
• Apr. 11-Blessing of Aberthaw-Arthur Sweet-4 packs and 3 fardles of stockins ; 5 bullocks
• Apr. 18-Arthur & Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-10 baggs of wooll, 2 fardles stockins, 1 k'kn. butter and 14 bullocks
• May 2-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-17 bullocks, 50 sheep, 3 fardles stockins
• May 8-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-11 bullocks, 80 sheep, 6 fardles stockins
• May 23-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-140 sheepe, 2 fardles stockins
• May 23-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-2 baggs of wooll, 2 fardles stockins, 7 bullocks, 36 sheep, I fleech baccon
• May 24-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-160 sheep
• May 25-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Tho. Spencer-120 sheep, 2 fardles stockins
• June 1-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-15 bullocks
• June 6-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-11 bullocks, 80 sheep
• June 6-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Tho. Spencer-12 bullocks, 2 baggs of wooll 2 packs 3 fardles of stockins, 2 k'kns and firkins butter

1.   k'kins.=k'kns.=kilderkins.

All the entries below also have destinations of Minehead apart from that for July 10th (Speedwell) which was Bristol.

• June 13-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-24 bullocks, 20 lambs, 2 fardles stockins, I pack wooll
• June 27-Speedwell of Aberthaw-[T]ho. Spenser-20 bullocks, 16 sheep, 2 k'kins. butter
• July 4-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-30 bullocks, 3 baggs of wooll, 1 fardle stockins, 10 sheep
• July 5-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-23 bullocks
• July 10- Speedwell of Aberthaw-Thomas Spenser-400 bushels wheat, 200 bushels oats, 2 k'kns. butter, 1 pack of wooll
• July 11-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-8 baggs of wooll, 1 pack 1 fardle stockins, 2 k'kns. butter, 1 horse
• July 18-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spencer-20 bullocks, 2 baggs of wooll, 3 fardles stockins, 20 sheep
• Aug. 22-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spenser-23 bullocks and 30 sheep
• Aug. 22-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Thos. Spenser-20 bullocks, 1 bagg of wooll, 1 fardle stockins
• Aug. 24-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spenser-47 bullocks, bagg of wooll, 1 k'kn. butter
• Sept. 4-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Christopher Spenser-33 bullocks
• Sept. 10- Marie of Aberthaw-David Martin-10 baggs & 1 pack of wooll, 12 k'kns. of butter, 2 fardles stockins & 6 bullocks
• Sept. 16- Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-4 packs stockins, 3 fardles of stockins 3 horses, 2 baggs of wooll, 15 k'kins. & 1 firkin butter
• Sept. 24-Speedwell of Aberthaw-[Thos.] Spenser -33 bullocks, 3 baggs of wooll
• Sept. 24-Marie of Aberthaw-Jon Spenser-23 bullocks, 60 sheep, 6 fardles stockins
• Sept. 24-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-16 baggs wooll, 7 packs and fardles stockins, 3 k'kins. butter
• Sept. 24-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Tho. Spenser-39 bullocks, 2 cwt. tallow
• Oct. 4-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Thomas Spenser-15 bullocks
• Oct. 6-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-5 baggs and 1 pack of wooll, 4 fardles stockins, 48 sheep, and 8 bullocks
• Oct. 7-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Thos. Spenser-32 bullocks
• Oct. 14-Blessing of Aberthaw-Wm. Sweet-20 bullocks, 4 baggs and packs of wooll, I fardle stockins
• Oct. 14-Marie of Aberthaw-John Spenser-16 bullocks, 4 pocketts of wooll, 40 sheep, 1 k'kn. butter, 1 fardle stockins
• Oct. 19-Speedwell of Aberthaw-Thos. Spenser-23 bullocks, 80 sheep, 1 bagge wooll, 1 fardle stockins
• Nov. 4-Marie of Aberthaw-Jon Spenser-126 bullocks, 50 raw hides, 2 k'kns. butter, 3 bags, two fardles stockins, 6 baggs of wooll

NOTES;

The article also contains further similar tables, i.e for periods Michaelmas 1668-69, Michaelmas 1669-70, Michaelmas 1671-72, Michaelmas 1673-74, Michaelmas 1677-78, Michaelmas 1670-80 Michaelmas 1682-83. These aren't extracted but it is noted that the following ships/masters/ports are in additional to those mentioned above;

Ships;- Mary of Aberthaw, John & Thomas (18 tons) of Aberthaw, Elizabeth of Aberthaw, Endeavour of Aberthaw, Marchant of Aberthaw, Richard & Margarett of Aberthaw, William of Aberthaw.

Masters ;- Xpher Spenser (Speedwell), Jenkin Thomas (Blessing), Evan William (John & Thomas), Richard Williams (John & Thomas), Thomas Leyson (Speedwell), William Spencer (John & Thomas), Thomas Andrews (Blessing), James Barwick (Speedwell), Nicholas Rynalt (Marie), John Jenkins (Endeavour), George Nicholas (Endeavour), Richard Spenser (Marchant), Mathew Hamon (Richard & Margarett), Stephen Lewis (Elizabeth), Robert Fowler (Blessing), John Williams (Elizabeth), Nathaniel Hatherley (William).

Minehead remained the main port of destination, Bristol appearing intermittently, usually where wheat was involved.

The tables have a column headed 'merchant' but it is blank in all instances.

Several of the schedules are signed 'Rich Gwynn, Customer', and one also says 'Thos Andrews, Controller'.

Ceredigion Archives have a link to an useful copyright guide at the National Archives

The National Library of Wales. The major repository of information relevant to Welsh genealogy, such as Bishop's Transcripts, Parish Registers, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, Nonconformist Records, Probate Records, Tithe Maps and Apportionment Schedules, Legal and Administrative Records, Estate Records and Personal Papers, Pedigree Books, Newspapers, etc.

Here is a Contents listing of NLW journals, with links to extracts from these on Genuki

Library Resources; a list of digital resources provided by The National Library of Wales. They are all available free of charge (no registration required).

The National Archives (TNA). Formed by a merger of the Public Record Office and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, is a major repository for English and Welsh records.

Archives Network Wales an online catalogue of the collections of the main archive repositories in Wales

The National Archives has details of many archive repositories in the UK with links to their web sites, if any.

Manorial Documents Register on the National Archives site

People's Collection Wales  - " provide services and a website for you to share your memories of Wales in photographs, sound recordings, documents, videos and stories. Celebrate the history of: your community; your family; villages, towns and cities; industries; and traditions

Copac is a union catalogue  "Search c.90 UK and Irish academic, national & specialist library catalogues"

Archives Hub.  - "Use the Archives Hub to find unique sources for your research. Search across descriptions of archives from over 1,000 years of history, held at over 300 institutions across the UK."

The Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) "The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has a leading national role in developing and promoting understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales, as the originator, curator and supplier of authoritative information for individual, corporate and governmental decision makers, researchers, and the general public. ...It holds a unique collection of photographs, maps, images, publications and reports within its archive, The National Monuments Record of Wales, which can be consulted on our online database Coflein

British  Library A very comprehensive online catalogue.

National Museums & Galleries of Wales

ARCHAEOLEG CAMBRIA ARCHAEOLOGY (Dyfed Archaeological Trust). One of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts working to help protect, record and interpret all aspects of the historic landscape. The other 3 are; Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust.

Bangor University Library - includes an Archives and Welsh Library section

University Research Centre, Lampeter -  includes the Founders' Library

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/The_Parliamentary_Archives_(U.K.)National Collections

Bevan, Amanda, (Ed.). Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office (6th ed.), The National Archives. [ISBN 1903365341] 
["This is a new, revised edition of the best-selling guide. Now in its sixth edition, Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office continues to provide comprehensive guidance to all researchers, new or experienced, wishing to trace their forebears among the records of government or courts held at The National Archives. It leads the reader through the census and military service records, wills and lawsuits, court rolls and hearth taxes and all other records where our ancestors may have left their tracks. . . this new revised edition provides information on this and many other releases of records at the National Archives, including army, navy, merchant navy and immigration records. New information about how to access the records via the catalogue is also provided."]

• The National Archives (TNA) in Kew brings together the Public Records Office (PRO) and the Historical Manuscripts Commission, and is the principal repository for English and Welsh records. ( Note: most Scottish records are held in the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh, and Northern Ireland Records are held by The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) .)
• Now that the Access to Archives (A2A) project is no more, TNA's  Discovery catalogue covers holdings in many regional archives as well as the National Archives themselves - see their  Find an Archive page. (To search all these other archives use the "Held By" option in the catalogue's Advanced Searchfacility.)
•  
  • Copies of the National Archives' Research Guidesare now available online, as is their very useful catalogue.
  • Research Guides to Online Collectionsat the National Archives.
  • The National Archives' Looking for a Person?resource listing - "Each guide tells you where you can find, access and understand the relevant records".
  • Their Manorial Documents Registeridentifies the location of manorial documents.
  • Your Archives- "The National Archives' online community of records users", a wiki that archive users could contribute to - now closed.
  • The National Archives publishes a useful free enewslettergiving a "monthly round-up of news, blogs, offers and events ".
  • They also have a YouTube channel of videos providing tips on using the Discovery catalogue, visiting, etc.
• Quick animated guidesto using the National Archives.
• The British Library'scollections may be regarded as the world's finest; the range and effectiveness of the services it provides on the basis of these collections are without rival. Their web pages give access to their comprehensive online cataloguesincluding the British Library Public Catalogue, as well as providing full details of the library's services and facilities.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers a wide range of genealogical resources at its Family History Centers around the world.  For contact details,  click here and search for the centre nearest you.

Listings and Guides

• The National Archives' "gateway to archival resources, projects and initiatives in the UK and abroad" has been transferred to the UNESCO Archives Portal (archived copy).
• JISC's  Library Hub Discover provides a means of  searching resources in UK and Irish academic, national & specialist libraries - as of Jan 2020, it held  "42,377,775 records created from 106,728,673 records contributed by 144 institutions".
• The Archives Hubis a service run by MIMAS at Manchester Computing which provides free access to descriptions of archives held in the UK's universities and colleges. The descriptions can be searched in a number of ways and will form one part of the emerging UK National Archives Network.
• LDS Family History Centres.
• Culture 24, "Latest news, exhibition reviews, links, listings and education resources from thousands of UK museums, galleries, archives and libraries, all in one place".
• Details of 1600 Museums, Galleries and Historic Housesprovided by Britains Finest.
• UK250's listing of  UK museum websites (archived copy)
• Details of Maritime and Naval Museumsin Britain and Ireland provided by Dr Martin H. Evans and Dr Janet West. A Location Mapis also available.
• The British & Irish Archaeological Bibliography- "The biab online database contains datasets covering publications from AD 1695 to the present day on archaeology and the historic environment, historic buildings, maritime and industrial archaeology, environmental history, and the conservation of material culture" - nearly 200,000 references, as of June 2007.
• Community Archives- set up on behalf of the National Council on Archives "to show the variety and quantity of community archives in the UK."
• UK Parliamentary Archives - FamilySearch guide.section.

Specialist Collections

• Society of Genealogists
• Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies,
• The Methodist Archives and Research Centreis part of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester.
• The Huguenot Libraryis located at University College, London
• The Royal Archives - subscription access via Find My Past.
• The The British Postal Musem and Archive(formerly Post Office Archives and Records Services) holds the records of the British Post Office from the 17th century to the present day.
• Institute for Historical Research
• India Office(archived copy): Family History Research.
• The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum.
• The Women's Library- "housing the most extensive collection of women's history in the UK".
• The National Gas Archive- "The NGA holds up to two kilometres of records covering the history and development of the UK gas industry. The records date from about 1812 to the present day and include many of the administrative, financial, legal, technical, property and personnel records of the industry."
• The National Army Museum.

Miscellaneous

• Association of Independent Libraries- details of member institutions and publications.