This document provides an overview of researching Welsh family history and genealogy. It discusses Welsh naming patterns and patronymics. Key dates and records for Welsh research are identified, including parish registers from 1538, bishop's transcripts from 1597, and civil registration beginning in 1837. The document also summarizes the types of information found in different record types, such as marriages, christenings, census records, and probate documents. Strategies for effective Welsh research are recommended, such as searching both parish registers and bishop's transcripts.

1. Basics of Welsh Research

2. Names
John Mary
David Margaret
Thomas Hannah
Evan Matilda
William Sarah
Edward Elizabeth

3. Patronymics
• Mab or ab or ap = son of
• Ferch or verch = daughter of
• In South Wales ab or ap was not always used

4. Examples
• Evan Rees ap John
• David Thomas Howell
• David Williams
• Matilda vch John

5. Naming Pattern

6. PLACE-NAMES

14. Jurisdictions
Diocese & Parish are critical

16. Find & Use Detailed Maps

18. Records in Welsh
• Nonconformist records
• Chapel histories
• Monumental inscriptions
• Periodicals

20. NONCONFORMITY

25. PARISH REGISTERS

26. 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
• 1841 census records begin, done every ten years

27. Findmypast.com

29. Pre 1813 burial (1750)

30. Post 1813 burial

32. Marriages

33. 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/ihgsparis
hmaps/index.html?action=page&id=2

35. 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/Wal
es_Marriage_Indexes_Before_1837

37. Marriages pre 1754

38. Details to watch for 1754-1837

39. Post 1836 Parish Register

40. Some details are the same as before 1837

41. Some details are new

42. 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

43. Post 1812 parish register christening

44. Bishop’s Transcript

47. CIVIL REGISTRATION

48. 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.

57. CENSUS RECORDS

61. PROBATE RECORDS

72. RECORD SUPPLEMENTS /
SUBSTITUTES

73. Monumental Inscriptions
Supplement other records

74. Strategies for Success
• Kill off your ancestor
• Find your ancestor in every census
• Always search both the Parish
Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts

75. Strategies for Success
• Use indexes
• Don’t trust indexes
• Watch for patronymics:
David Thomas Howell is a clue

76. Basics of Welsh Research