During the 19 century people flocked to the relative riches of Merthyr Tydfil. The growth of the area was phenomenal, from around 40 in 1760 to over 50,000 in 1860, and being the nursery of the Industrial Revolution meant migrants came from far and wide. The community was a melting pot of nationalities including English, Scots, Irish, Eastern European, Italians and Spanish – as a result many people have a family in Merthyr.
When looking into your history it is recommended that you gather as much information as possible from older relatives and try to identify any dates/addresses that can help when working through the records. It is also suggested that you contact the Glamorgan Family History Society as they can be of great help.
The essential foundation to help you grow your family tree is the Merthyr Library Service. The Local History Collection at the Central Library has a great deal to offer including maps, old local newspapers, school records, chapel / church source material, photographs, and more. Moreover, the computer suite offers free access to expensive online resources such as ancestry.co.uk and findmypast.co.uk.
Address: Central Library, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AF
Telephone: 01685 723057
Email: library.services@merthyr.gov.uk
Be prepared – it is not uncommon for family historians to dig up the odd buried scandal no matter what their occupation!
