Huge update to The List of Historic Welsh Place Names

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (https://rcahmw.gov.uk) has announced that The List of Historic Welsh Place Names has added some 500,000 place names, after it received date from the Cynefin Project from the National Library of Wales before Christmas. The number of names it now holds is 660,000.

The Cynefin: Mapping Wales’ Sense of Place project ran from 2014 to 2017, and saw the digitisation of, and transcription of data from, some 1,100 Welsh tithe maps held at the NLS.

For more on the story visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/list-of-historic-welsh-place-names-now-over-660000-records. To access The List of Historic Place Names of Wales project itself visit https://historicplacenames.rcahmw.gov.uk.

Chris

Pre-order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) for just £11.99 at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

RCAHMW enhances Welsh heritage database Coflein

The Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (https://rcahmw.gov.uk) has posted a review of changes it made to its Coflein database in 2018.

Coflein, which is accessible at www.coflein.gov.uk, is the body's online database and Inventory of ancient and historical monuments, providing access to hundreds of thousands of heritage based documents. Amongst the enhancements is an overhaul of the Coflein Mapping system, the addition of thousands of aerial photographs across Wales, from recently commissioned aerial surveys, and improved descriptions on many catalogue entries.

To read about the improvements visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/2018-year-in-review-our-improvements-to-coflein.

(With thanks to the RCAHMW)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Newly catalogued Welsh collections from RCAHMW

The latest monthly edition of the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) Archives and Library Bulletin lists all newly catalogued material, including archival items, library books and journal articles, all of which are all available to view in its public reading room. The full archive catalogue is available on Coflein (www.coflein.gov.uk) and contains digital copies of many of the items listed. All publications may be found on the Commission's online Library Catalogue.

For further details visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/royal-commission-archive-library-bulletin-of-newly-catalogued-material-june-2018/.

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

RCAHMW user survey on Coflein database

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (https://rcahmw.gov.uk) is asking users of its Coflein website (www.coflein.gov.uk) to fill out a short survey about their experiences with the site. Coflein is the online platform hosting the National Monuments Records of Wales database.

To fill in the survey, which should take baout 10 minutes, please visit
https://rcahmw.gov.uk/coflein-feedback-survey/

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Carto-Cymru - The Wales Map Symposium 2018 - Charting the Seas

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (https://rcahmw.gov.uk) is hosting a dedicated mapping conference this May 18th 2018 at the National Library of Wales (https://www.llgc.org.uk):

Carto-Cymru - The Wales Map Symposium 2018 - Charting the Seas

Charting the seas and coasts of the World – how maps depict the sea and coastline and how such mapping is used to widen our understanding of these environments.

Admission by ticket
£20.00 which includes buffet lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments

Bilingual event with simultaneous translation provided

TICKETS
01970 632 548
Website: events.library.wales

(Original source: https://rcahmw.gov.uk/carto-cymru-the-wales-map-symposium-2018-charting-the-seas/)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Bethlehem and Nazareth - in Wales

There's a fun post on the blog of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, detailing the existence of thirty places in Wales called Bethlehem, and thirteen called Nazareth.

It all boils down to the Methodists...

To read the post visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/seasons-greetings-happy-new-year/

Chris

Needing a Christmas present for a family history obsessed love one (or for yourself)?! For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Historic Welsh boundary maps go online

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (https://rcahmw.gov.uk) has uploaded two digital maps that it has created, using late-medieval sources and historic parish boundaries, to show the boundaries of the commotes (cymydau) and cantrefs (cantrefi) of medieval Wales.

The commission notes that "future developments will examine how these boundaries have changed over time and map them in further detail. These digital resources will be made freely available to the public as an aid to encouraging research."


To view the maps visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/mapping-the-historic-boundaries-of-wales-commotes-and-cantrefs/.

The Commission has also recently launched the The List of Historic Place Names of Wales, "a groundbreaking website that provides a fascinating insight into the landuse, archaeology and history of Wales. Over 300,000 place names are included in the List, reflecting the various forms and spellings used historically, and revealing the often forgotten or overlooked legacies of buildings, people, archaeological or topographical features in our landscapes."
For more on this visit https://rcahmw.gov.uk/list-of-historic-place-names-now-live/.

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course commences Sept 11th 2017 - details at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102.
For details on my Scottish & Irish genealogy guide books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.
For my genealogy research service, please visit http://www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk.

Welsh heritage agency launches new website

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has launched its new website today at http://rcahmw.gov.uk.

From the site's blog:

Our aim is to make our website accessible to any platform– tablet, mobile and PC. The Home page will take you to News, Events, Social media as well as Services and Publications. With one click you can find out more About Us and the National Monuments Record of Wales. Please give it a try and let us know what you think!

The site's content is available in both English and Welsh.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

National Monuments Record of Wales catalogue updated

The National Monuments of Wales catalogue Coflein has been updated to reflect recent additions.

For further details please visit the blog of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales at heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/national-monuments-record-of-wales.html.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

Powys War Memorials Project competition

From Heritage of Wales news, the blog of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales:

Powys County Council has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Cadw (Welsh Government) and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority for the Powys War Memorials Project 2014-2018: A Mark of Respect. This project commemorates the centenary of World I and is now holding a World War I memorial photography competition as part of the project. 

Nathan Davies, the Powys War Memorials Project Officer explains, “We know of about 300 war memorials in Powys ranging from stone crosses to stained glass windows, plaques to statues. However, there are likely to be considerably more than this. One aim of the project is to find, record and catalogue all the World War I memorials in the county. All you need to do is find a war memorial, take a photograph of it, complete the entry form and email it to us. That’s it ! You’ll be commemorating the centenary of World War 1 and will have the chance to win a share of the £200 prize fund.”

For fuhttp://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.ca/2016/04/powys-war-memorials-project-free.html
ll details of the competition, and on how to submit entries, please visit the full post at

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

RCAHMW library, search-room and enquiry service to be suspended

Following news yesterday that the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is to relocate to the National Library of Wales (see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/rcahmw-to-relocate-to-national-library.html) comes news that the Royal Commission’s Library, Search-room and Enquiry Service are to be temporarily suspended for three months from April 4th 2016, to accommodate the move.

For further details please see http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/temporary-suspension-of-royal-230216.html

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

RCAHMW to relocate to National Library of Wales

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (www.rcahmw.gov.uk) is to move to new offices at The National Library of Wales (NLW) later this year. As part of the changes to be implemented, the library's former Manuscript Room is also to become a new public search room for the National Monuments Record of Wales, whilst two floors of a new purpose built environmental storage facility for the library will house the body's relevant records.

For the full story, please visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/the-royal-commission-on-ancient-and-220216.html

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including A Decade of Irish Centenaries: Researching Ireland 1912-1923, Discover Scottish Church Records (2nd edition), Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Newly catalogued material by National Monuments Record of Wales

The National Monuments Record of Wales has announced its latest catalogued acquisitions in October via the Heritage of Wales blog at http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/national-monuments-record-of-wales_30.html, the blog of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.

For the latest monthly lists of recently catalogued holdings, please visit www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Donate+Records/Recent+Acquisitions/

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

RCAHMW seeks to appoint two new commissioners

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is seeking to appoint two people to its Board of Commissioners. Applicants must

• Have experience in commercial ways of working, marketing and PR, and a proven record of fundraising;
• Have expertise in archive management;
• Have expertise in working with communities, particularly hard-to-reach groups, at a strategic level, and a commitment to the principles of equality and diversity;
• Providing oversight and constructive challenge to organisations with charitable aims;
• Have knowledge of, and a successful track record, in a senior governance role.

For further information, visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/appointment-of-commissioners-two-posts.html.

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

Recently catalogued collections by National Monuments Record of Wales

The latest monthly edition of the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) Archives and Library Bulletin, which lists all newly catalogued materials by the body, is available online at http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/national-monuments-record-of-wales.html.

For previous months' editions going back to December 2013, please visit www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Donate+Records/Recent+Acquisitions/

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

History of the Welsh slate industry

If your ancestor was involved in the Welsh slate industry, the Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales has published a new book which may be of interest, entitled Welsh Slate - Archaeology and History of an Industry, by David Gwyn.

For further details visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/welsh-slate-archaeology-and-history-of-an-industry.html.

Chris

For details on my latest book Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, and my other genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

New Royal Commission secretary for Wales

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (www.rcahmw.gov.uk) has announced that its new Secretary (Chief Executive) will be Christopher Catling, MA, FSA. He will take up his post on March 2nd 2015.

For the full announcement visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/appointment-of-new-royal-commission.html

Chris

For details on my range of genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

National Monuments Record of Wales Archives and Library Bulletin

The latest National Monuments Record of Wales Archives and Library Bulletin is out from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, with details of recently catalogued acquisitions - it's available at http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Donate+Records/Recent+Acquisitions/.

(With thanks to http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/national-monuments-record-of-wales.html)

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302

Digital Past conference in February 2015

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is organising a two day conference entitled Digital Past, from February 11th-12th 2015, at
Brangwyn Hall, The Guildhall, Swansea.

The conference will showcase innovative digital technologies and techniques for data capture, interpretation and dissemination of the heritage of Wales, the UK and beyond.

For further details visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/digital-past-2015.html

Chris

My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records online course starts on November 5th, and runs for 5 weeks, priced at £45.99. Spaces are still available - see http://pharostutors.com/coursedescriptions.php#302

RCAHMW seeks patrons help over Coflein database

The Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (www.rcahmw.gov.uk) is seeking advice from patrons over its online database Coflein, via workshop events to be held on Tuesday October 14th 2014, at its premises at Plascrug, Aberystwyth.

For further details visit http://heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/an-opportunity-to-shape-coflein-we-need.html

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And please consider purchasing the great new version of Caledonia by The Libations at 79p via www.caledonia2014.com - all profits go to help fund Scottish foodbanks