Anglesey Genealogical Records

Anglesey Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Anglesey Baptisms (1547-1913)

Digital images of baptism registers that can be searched by name. They record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth, and list the baptised's name, date of birth and/or baptism and parents' names. They may also list where the parents lived, their occupations and occasionally other details.

North Wales Birth Index (1837-1995)

A growing index of births registered in the counties of North Wales. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

Anglesey Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Anglesey Marriages (1552-1928)

Digital images of marriage registers that can be searched by name. They contain written records of marriages and typically record the name of the bride and groom and date of marriage. They may also record occupations, residences, fathers' names, witnesses and other information about the marriage.

Anglesey Banns (1750-1926)

Digital images of registers that record the names of couples who intended to marry. They may contain details not included in marriage registers or of planned marriages that never occurred.

North Wales Marriage Index (1837-2000)

A growing index of marriages registered in the counties of North Wales. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

British Marriage Records (1392-2011)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Anglesey Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Anglesey Burials (1547-2006)

Digital images of burial registers that can be searched by name. They contain records of burials, which typically occur a few days after death, and record the name of the deceased and date of death and/or burial. They may also list where the deceased lived, their age, names of relations, occupation and occasionally other details.

North Wales Death Index (1837-1996)

A growing index of deaths registered in the counties of North Wales. Records include a reference to the sub-registration district, making it easier to order the correct certificate.

British Death and Burial Records (1379-2014)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of death and burial records that cover over 140 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Deaths (1837-1964)

An index to deaths registered at the central authority for England and Wales. To 1866, only the locality the death was registered in was listed. Age was listed until 1969, when the deceased's date of birth was listed. Provides a reference to order a death certificate, which has further details.

Anglesey Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1881 British Census (1881)

The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Anglesey

West Wales Historical Records (1911-1927)

Various volumes of The Historical Society of West Wales' journal, which include transcripts, indices and abstracts of numerous records such as hearth tax returns, parish registers, marriage licences and wills.

North Wales Express (1878-1910)

A weekly newspaper covering local, parliamentary, community and religious news. It contained family announcements. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Dydd (1868-1910)

A weekly Welsh-language newspaper the covered political, religious and other news from an Independent perspective. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Cambrian News (1860-1919)

A newspaper covering local and national news, sports, leisure, family notices and more. It circulated in north- and mid-Wales. The full text of editions can be searched, and used to view digital images of the newspaper.

Alnwick Mercury (1854-1883)

A regional paper including news from the Anglesey area, legal & governmental proceedings, family announcements, business notices, advertisements and more.

Anglesey Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Welsh Probate Index & Images (1521-1858)

An index to most surviving wills, administrations and inventories proved in Wales' six ecclesiastical courts and the Peculiar of Hawarden. Most documents are available to view online.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (Subscription) (1384-1858)

An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.

British Wills and Probate Records (1163-1999)

A collection of indexes, abstracts, transcripts and digital images of over 5.5 million wills, administrations and other probate records.

Anglesey Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Anglesey Military Records

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

England & Wales Electoral Registers (1832-1932)

Digital images of ledgers recording those registered to vote, searchable by an index of 220 million names. Entries list name, address, qualification to vote, description of property and sometimes age and occupation.

Prison Hulk Registers (1802-1849)

From the late 18th century many prisoners in Britain were kept on decommissioned ships known as hulks. This collection contains nearly 50 years of registers for various ships. Details given include: prisoner's name, date received, age, year of birth and conviction details.

England & Wales Criminal Registers (1791-1892)

This collection lists brief details on 1.55 million criminal cases in England and Wales between 1791 and 1892. Its primary use is to locate specific legal records, which may give further details on the crime and the accused. Details may include the accused's age, nature of crime, location of trial and sentence. Early records can contain a place of birth.

Anglesey Taxation Records

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Index to Death Duty Registers (1796-1903)

An index to wills and administrations that incurred a death duty tax. The index can be used to order documents that give a brief abstract of the will and details on the duty. It can be used as a make-shift probate index.

Index to the Royalist Composition Papers (1646-1656)

Index to personal names listed in the Royalist Composition Papers that dealt with the estates of royalists.

Anglesey Land & Property Records

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

NLW Manuscript Transcripts (1200-2000)

A searchable database of thousands of transcribed and abstracted manuscripts, largely pertaining to land.

Landowners of England & Wales (1873)

A list of owners of above one acre of land in England & Wales. Lists a landowner's residence, acreage and estimated gross yearly rental.

Anglesey Directories & Gazetteers

Slater's Directory of North & Mid Wales (1895)

Historical and contemporary descriptions of settlements, detailing their governance, churches, schools etc.; to which is appended lists of residents, with their occupations.

Slater's Directory, North and Mid Wales (1895)

Historical and contemporary descriptions of settlements, detailing their governance, churches, schools etc.; to which is appended lists of residents, with their occupations.

Cassey's Directory of the Chief Towns in North Wales (1876)

A directory of the region's nobility, gentry, clergy, traders and professionals. Supplemented with a directory of churches and public schools.

Slater's Directory, North Wales (1850)

Historical and contemporary descriptions of settlements, detailing their governance, churches, schools etc.; to which is appended lists of residents, with their occupations.

Pigot's Directory of North Wales (1844)

Pigot's is a directory briefly detailing the history, topography, amenities and postal service of settlements in North Wales. It also lists the occupation & addresses of commercial, private and professional residents of each town.

Anglesey Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Rail & Canal Photographs Catalog (1880-1970)

A searchable database of photographs relating to railways and canals in Britain.

Rail & Canal Monuments (1800-1950)

Details of monuments and plaques related to canals and railways. Contains some photographs.

Anglesey Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Anglesey Histories & Books

West Wales Historical Records (1911-1927)

Various volumes of The Historical Society of West Wales' journal, which include transcripts, indices and abstracts of numerous records such as hearth tax returns, parish registers, marriage licences and wills.

Anglesey Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Anglesey.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Britain from Above (1919-1953)

Ariel photographs of the British Isles. Browsable by location.

UK & Ireland Historical Postcards (1885-1950)

Over 19,000 postcards depicting places in the UK & Ireland.

Anglesey School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Anglesey Occupation & Business Records

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Railway Employment Records (1833-1963)

A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.

Royal Navy Medical Journals (1817-1857)

Indexed medical journals from British ships containing personal and medical details of patients. The journals list names, ages, rank/status, diseases, illness duration and notes on symptoms and treatment. Contains details on military men as well as people immigrating or being deported to colonies.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Anglesey

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Anglesey Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Burke's Landed Gentry of Britain & Ireland (1885)

Lineages of Britain and Ireland's untitled landed families; supplemented with biographical sketches.

Anglesey Church Records

Anglesey Parish Registers (1547-2006)

Digital images of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. The registers can be searched by name and can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Wales Parish Registers (1914-2013)

The parish registers of Wales are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1914 to 2013.

Wales Parish Registers (1538-1934)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though useful to the present also.

The Welsh Church Year Book (1929)

Important information relating to the church, including jurisdictions and names of ministers, archdeacons etc.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Biographical Directories Covering Anglesey

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Anglesey Maps

Maps of Anglesey (1595-1891)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey Maps of Wales (1868-1954)

An interactive map featuring four OS map editions published between 1868 and 1954. To load a map select the menu tab on the far right, select the edition you wish to view and zoom in to a locality.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Anglesey Reference Works

Wales Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Wales.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction

Historical Description

Anglesea, or Ynys Môn in Welsh - numerous are the given etymologies of this island by those but slightly acquainted with the ancient British tongue; and much has likewise been said respecting its primitive inhabitants, but nothing superior to the abstruse origin of every other country.

Mon, as an abstract terra, implies what is separate, a part or any individual; a producing agent; also a cow. So that Mon in a topographical sense is an island: thus Anglesea is in old writing's called Mon Vynydd, to distinguish it from the Isle of Man, called Mon Aw, and Manaw. Mon Vynydd being Mon of the mountain, and Monaw, the Mon of the Water, or off in the sea. Sometimes it is denominated Ynys Dowell, or the shady island, alluding perhaps to the groves, and other solemn places among the Druids. The Saxons called it Moneg, until conquered by Edward I. when we find the name of Englesea, or the English island, now generally written Anglesea; equally known to the Welsh by the appellation of mam Cymry," i.e. Mon, the nursery of Wales; being an ancient and common proverb, because in times of scarcity, this fruitful island supplied the principality with corn, and other necessaries.

It will next be asked, why the Druids chose this island for their establishment, during the progress of the Romans in the subjection of Britain?—

In answer, we may say, its lonesome and retired situation rendered it the fittest place, because less liable to be incommoded with the affrights and tumults of war; therefore a favourable retreat to the muses, and to afford every requisite security to druidical knowledge. It was also a pleasant island, of a temperate soil, in the flower and vigour of nature, finely diversified with hills and vallies, plentifully purled with springs, numerous rivulets, and a wholesome air, so congenial to the wished longevity of man:—and above all, as the nature of the soil inclines us to believe, they found it enriched with the numerous bounties of sea and land, particularly spacious groves of the admired and beloved oak, which they held in the highest estimation. The Pren Awyr, or misletoe, was also held in great veneration, in which they placed a very high mystery, and cut down in great solemnity with a golden consecrated instrument, and carefully received on a white garment, and preserved with the highest veneration and worship. In these groves they had their sacred erections and apartments; i.e. their mounts, or hillocks, called in Welsh, Gorseddau, where from they pronounced their decrees and sentences, or their solemn orations to the people. In the Llwyn or grove, they frequently erected pillars, as memorials of their deified heroes ; or they had in them a heap of stones, called earn or carneddau, for they had a peculiar mode of worship by throwing and heaping of stones. They had also altars, on which, they performed the solemnities of sacrifice, and their sacred rules of divination: in some large or more eminent groves, pillars and heaps of stones were enclosed together, or near, as are to be seen, to this day, but from the devastation of time often found separately, particularly heaps and columns.

This island has been represented as under the command and government of the Druids, with their establishment, authority, and religion, after the order had been driven from the plains of Wiltshire, which had always been their metropolitan station; now it remains to be shown how these religious societies came to be dissolved and rooted out of the island by the Romans, under whose sceptre it continued some hundred years after the defeat of Caractacus, and sending him prisoner to Rome.

The Ordovices, or North Wales-men, though deprived of their chief, made frequent attempts to shake off the galling yoke of a severe and unaccustomed subjection, therefore made this island a place of refuge whenever they became harassed by the Roman legions ; whence it has been called the Isle of Heroes, and the refuge of the distressed Britons. At this time it appears Suetonius Paulinus was governor of Britain, and plainly saw there was no quelling the restless spirits of the bold and daring Ordovices, while this island, the fountain of their courage, remained untouched. Convinced of the truth, he fitted out a little armada, while the Britons with their Druids were at their altars, uttering loud invocations, and curses, and sacrifices, that the screams of dying victims were heard to echo one another from the hollow resounding groves in every quarter, and altars smoking with the horrid burnings of the bodies of men, women, and children ; of rogues, profligates, and captives.

This was the state of the island when the Romans made to their boats, and were even swimming their horses over the Menai, with a concurrent tide, without the least opposition from the Druids, who were no way prepared for their reception, except the curses of their holy religion, which they expected would do greater execution on the daring assailants than the sharpest British darts or weapons. In this, indeed, they were not quite deceived, for it is bravely acknowledged by the Roman authors, that the very sight of their mad ceremony for sometime stupefied the Roman soldiers, more than the blows they received from their misguided enemies, until Suetonius galled to his legions "to drive away the foolish multitude, whose vain imprecations and silly gestures thought to stop the progress of the Roman arms, although it had already conquered the greater part of the then known world."—Now the enraged Romans having got to land (The place of their landing, and their routing of this religious army, we have no exact account of; but it is generally supposed to have been near Porthamel, between Pwll-y-fuwch and Llanidan. For Tacitus says that the horses swam it at the ford, which is a shallow just under Llanidan. ), the conquering sword took its fill of British blood, while these giddy Druids stood still, without the array of battle, to see their sacrifices and oblations prove ineffectual on these fearless Romans. In this distressing situation of affairs, we are told the Druids nimbly slipt away to their woods and coverts, leaving their people to be miserably cut down and slaughtered by the advancing Romans, who, without pity or moderation, hacked and hewed down on all sides the unfortunate Britons, augmenting the flame of their unhappy sacrifices with the fuel of their slain and wounded bodies (Near Llanidan, there is at present a mount or tumulus, in the centre of a field, about three bows shot from the sea, which seems to have been the place of this great sacrifice: and where the Druids took up the firebrands in their hands, brandishing them like furies about the army; and where the Romans involved the taken and slain Britons in the devouring flames of their own sacrifices).

After this conquest, those who escaped the general carnage, or were concealed in holes and caves, made their escape to the sea, and were never after heard of, leaving the Romans in absolute possession of the island, and the sacred things and places, which they unmercifully demolished, and threw prostrate under their insulting feet, or devoted to the most gross and barbarous purposes.

To render the conquest permanent, Suetonius settled a garrison over the separate districts and townships of the whole island, which secured to the Romans a peaceable possession, until their affairs became precarious at home, which compelled them to relinquish Britain once more to the sway of the Ancient Britons. The succeeding transactions, and the introduction of the Saxons into the island of Britain, need no illustration to shew the subsequent government and history of Anglesea, therefore for the sake of brevity are omitted.

Modern Divisions, Delineation, and Productions of Anglesey.

This island, which constitutes one of the counties of North Wales, is situated to the north-west of Caernarvonshire, in the Irish sea, and only separated from the main land by a strait or narrow channel called the Menai. It is of a rhomboidal shape, but deeply cut and indented on three of the sides. Its northern, eastern, and western points are sharp and narrow, the southern angle is more rounded, being in the whole twenty miles long, seventeen broad, and seventy in circumference.

In remote periods it was divided into seven districts, called Cymydau, or communities, being the usual subdivisions of the Cantrev or hundred, whence is also derived, the term Comot, which were parcelled into townships, again subdivided into hamlets, each containing several tenements.

Its modern divisions are the following comots, Aberfraw, Menai, Dindaethwy, Talebolion, Llivon, and Cemaes. According to a late estimate, Anglesea contains about two hundred thousand acres of land, divided into seven hundreds, seventy-four parishes, and four market towns, situate within the diocese of Bangor. The number of houses were estimated at 7183, the inhabitants 17, 464 males, and 19, 601 females, making a total of 37, 045 persons. In regard to the air, it is in general good, except when the thick fogs arise from the Irish Sea, which in autumn is very cold and aguish. The soil, though it appears somewhat disagreeable to the eye, being rocky and mountainous, is more fertile by far than its rough aspect promises, as may be proved by the number of cattle and great quantities of corn sent annually to England: notwithstanding this, much of the land lies undrained, and full of turfy bogs, or pointed rocks, yet there are some farms in the interior, and along the coast, in the richest taste, particularly on that part opposite Caernarvonshire. The general face of the country is low, flat, and disagreeable, being in want of that variety which is always found where there are woods and mountains.

It is conjectured, that Anglesea was once joined to the continent of Wales, but from the continual working of the ocean, has in course of time been severed from the main land; at length a contract for a suspension bridge over the Menai Straits, has been taken by Mr. Straphen, builder of the column, in honour of Lord Hill, at Shrewsbury. The bridge, it is said, will be 500 feet in the span, and superior to any thing of the kind hitherto erected in Europe. The work commenced in August, 1818. To the products of Anglesea, in favourable years, may be added, large quantities of barley and oats, which are exported by sea; and several thousand head of cattle, besides multitudes of sheep and hogs that annually cross the Menai. The increasing wealth and population of Anglesea have lately received a great increase, from the discovery of the famous copper mines on Paris Mountain, perhaps the largest bed of that metal in the known world. A lead ore, rich in silver, is also found in the same mountain. In the north-western part of the island is a quarry of green marble intermixed with abestus.

Anglesea sends two members to the Imperial Parliament, one for the county, and one for Beaumaris.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

ANGLESEY, anciently called by the British Monmam. Gymru, was the chief seat of Druidism; the name of the island was latinised by the Romans into “Mona,” and it gained its appellation of Anglesey (the English Isle) during the reign of Mervyn Vyrch, when Egbert, king of the West Saxons, defeated the Welsh at Llanfaes, near Beaumaris, and took possession of the island, which, though soon recovered by King Mervyn, lost its ancient name of Mona among the Anglo-Saxons.

Anglesey is an insular county of North Wales, surrounded by the Irish Sea except on its south-eastern side, where it is separated from the county of Carnarvon by the Menai Strait. The island in form is somewhat oblong, and extends in a westerly direction from Trwyndu point on the eastern coast for a distance of 28 ½ miles to the South Stack, the extreme point of Holyhead Island; the breadth from Coed Helen on the southern coast to Hell’s Mouth or Porth Cynfor on the northern, is 19 ½ miles, and the total area is 175,836 acres; the coast-line is very irregular, being broken in numerous places by small bays, creeks, and other inlets; the shores are studded with several small islets, of which the principal are Priestholm, Ynys Seiriol, Puffin Island, Ynys y Moelrhoniaid or the Skerries; at the westernmost point is Ynys Cibi or Holy Island, comprising the parishes of Holyhead and Rhoscolyn, and consisting for the most part of dreary sands and barren rock; this island is joined to the mainland by an embankment which carries the main road and also the railway to Holyhead. A peculiarity attends the tides on the shores of this county, more particularly in the Menai Straits; it appears that the tides setting in from the south-west are divided by the Isle of Anglesey, one part passing through the strait and the other through the great channel between Holyhead and the coast of Ireland. The latter tide having to extend its influence round the greater part of the island before it can reach the north-eastern entrance of the Menai, the flow is about an hour earlier at Carnarvon than at Beaumaris, and the water from the main sea begins to pour into the strait at Carnarvon while it is yet ebbing out of it at Beaumaris, consequently the water in the vicinity of Carnarvon continues falling after the direction of the current is changed. In like manner, the ebb commences at Carnarvon before it is high water at Beaumaris, and though the direction of the current in this case is also changed, the water continues rising at the Menai Bridge for a considerable time after it has begun to ebb at Carnarvon. These two tides, the one entering the Menai Strait at its north-eastern end and the other at its south-western, meet near Beaumaris.

The surface of the county, with the exception of the neighbourhood of Holyhead, is gently undulating, there being few elevations that can be termed hills; the soils are various, and for the most part fertile; the pastures are extensive, and all the suitable land is generally enclosed and well cultivated, producing good crops of cereals, roots, etc. There is very little woodland away from the part that abuts on the Menai Strait, the saline particles contained in the sea breezes which continually blow over the island having a detrimental effect on the growth of trees; hence, although the climate is fairly mild, no considerable plantations are seen. The southern part of the county is traversed by the great road from Chester, which is carried over the Menai Strait by the Suspension Bridge, opened in 1826. The railway communication forms part of the London and North-Western system; the Chester and Holyhead line of this company enters the county by the Britannia Tubular Bridge, opened in 1850, and after passing Llanfair, about a mile from the bridge, curves slightly to the south-west for a few miles, then curving gradually to the north-west, continues within a few miles of the southern shore, through Bodorgan, Ty Croes and Valley, to Holyhead; the central and northern parts of the county are served by a branch which leaves the main line at Gaerwen Junction, and runs through Llangefni, Liangwyllog, and Llanerchymedd to Amlwch.

Anglesey contains 76 civil parishes, and is in the diocese and archdeaconry of Bangor, which is subdivided into the rural deaneries of Llifon, Malldraeth, Menai, Talybolion, Tyndaethwy, Twrcelyn. The county is in the North Wales Division of the North and South Wales and Chester circuit, and has one court of quarter sessions, and is divided into two petty-sessional divisions. Beaumaris is the county town, and the seat of the assizes and quarter sessions. The only municipal borough is Beaumaris, population in 1891, 2,202. The chief towns are Amlwch, Beaumaris, Holyhead, Llangefni and Llanerchymedd.

The registration districts are:

No.Name.Area.Population, 1891.
630Anglesey60,84114,681
631Holyhead59,35819,538

Military

Beaumaris is the headquarters of the Royal Anglesey Militia Engineers, Further particulars are given at page 94.

Navy, H.M. guard ship “Colossus” is stationed at Holyhead, Captain Edward H. M. Davis C.M.G. commander; Richard J. Symonds (additional for Coast Guard service).

Anglesey County Council

Local Government Act, 1888, 51 & 52 Viet. c. 41.

Under the above Act, Anglesey, after the 1st April, 1889, for the purposes of the Act, became a separate and distinct administrative county (sec. 461&), governed by a County Council, consisting of chairman, alderman, and councillors (the number of councillors being determined by the Local Government Board), to be elected in manner prescribed by the Act (sec. 2).

The chairman shall, by virtue of his office, be a justice of the peace for the county, without qualification (sec. 46).

The police of the county are under the control of a standing joint committee of the Quarter Sessions and the County Council, appointed as therein mentioned (sec. 9).

The coroners for the county are elected by the County Council, and the clerk of the peace appointed by such joint committee, and may be removed by them (sec. 83-2).

The clerk of the peace for the county is also the clerk of the County Council (sec. 83-1).

The administrative business of the county (which would, if this Act had not been passed, have been transacted by the justices) is transacted by the County Council.

Meet at the County Court Room, Llangefni.

The following Table shows the acreage under each kind of crop & the number of horses, cattle, sheep, & pigs in Anglesey, as taken from the Agricultural Returns. 1893:

CropsAcresLive StockNumber
Corn & cereals25,338Horses used solely for agriculture4,839
Roots, artificial grasses, cabbage, kohlrabi & rape9,398Unbroken horses2,346
Clover & grasses28,828Brood mares153
Permanent pastures86,671Cows in milk or calf16,425
Bare fallow177Other cattle, 2 years & above11,738
Orchards12Other cattle, 1 year & under 212,070
Market gardens4Other cattle, under 1 year11,168
Mountain & heath land5,262Ewes kept for breeding27,347
Woods & plantations1,853Other sheep, 1 year old & above5,041
  Other sheep, under 1 year28,742
  Sows kept for breeding2,753
  Other pigs12,174
Slater's Directory of North and Mid Wales (1895)

Anglesey; this Island is in length 20 miles, and in breadth 17, containing in former times 360 Towns and Villages; of which the chief are Beumaish Newberg and Abersraw.

This Island is abundantly fertil in all things necessary to preserve the life of Man.

A Geographical Description of the World (1671) by George Meriton

Most Common Surnames in Anglesey

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wales
1Jones8,4071:84.93%1
2Williams5,6581:125.12%3
3Roberts3,9331:188.53%6
4Hughes3,5401:209.55%8
5Owen3,2231:2214.93%15
6Thomas1,8921:372.66%5
7Evans1,4991:462.02%4
8Parry1,3811:5011.00%24
9Davies1,2671:551.14%2
10Griffiths8241:842.80%10
11Rowlands7511:9312.37%40
12Pritchard7391:949.29%30
13Edwards7101:982.52%11
14Lewis5261:1321.31%7
15Smith3781:1841.47%12
16Morris3521:1971.81%18
17Lloyd2931:2371.98%21
17Taylor2931:2372.26%22
19Griffith2661:26110.76%116
20Humphreys2461:2835.84%66
21Owens2271:3065.24%62
22Morgan2031:3420.59%9
23Wright1661:4193.33%51
24Wilson1591:4372.62%39
25Brown1571:4431.39%26
26Ellis1531:4542.39%34
27Price1411:4930.71%17
28Robinson1391:5002.95%55
29Walker1281:5432.71%54
30Richards1231:5650.76%20
31Lee1161:5992.68%61
32James1141:6100.46%13
32Wood1141:6102.76%70
34Rees1091:6380.44%14
35Clarke1001:6951.82%43
36Ward981:7092.64%79
37Johnson951:7321.50%35
37Thompson951:7322.13%60
39Marshall931:7473.78%118
39Moore931:7472.04%59
41Harris911:7640.70%22
42Phillips871:7990.46%19
43Green861:8081.62%46
43Murphy861:8082.09%71
45Bennett821:8481.49%44
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wales
1Jones10,4221:56.00%1
2Williams8,3161:67.83%2
3Hughes5,3931:1015.02%8
4Roberts4,3041:129.47%6
5Owen3,7211:1423.01%16
6Thomas2,4331:213.43%4
7Parry1,6001:3212.57%21
8Evans1,2891:401.82%5
9Owens8821:599.72%24
10Lewis8621:602.34%7
11Pritchard8401:6214.70%32
12Rowlands7701:6714.65%33
13Davies7511:690.74%3
14Griffith7411:7012.73%30
15Edwards7101:733.00%11
16Griffiths5341:972.12%10
17Morris3721:1392.33%17
18Prichard2451:21114.11%66
19Ellis2151:2414.14%34
20Lloyd2141:2421.55%20
21Humphreys1801:2884.56%38
22Price1391:3730.86%15
23Rowland1291:40111.08%94
24Morgan901:5750.33%9
25Smith851:6091.22%26
26Pierce831:6246.14%78
27Prytherch801:64738.10%476
28James761:6810.38%13
29Francis681:7611.81%42
30Brown651:7971.73%41
31Richards591:8780.42%19
32Peters551:9415.97%117
33Edward501:1,03612.29%267
34Martin471:1,1022.89%72
35Chambers431:1,20415.14%370
35Roose431:1,20463.24%1,326
37Elias401:1,2945.05%140
38Stanley381:1,36318.45%484
39Michael361:1,4384.87%145
40Robinson321:1,6183.65%124
40Jenkins321:1,6180.17%14
40Powell321:1,6180.35%23
43Eames311:1,67026.50%798
44Paynter291:1,78534.94%1,104
45Green281:1,8491.83%75
45Phillips281:1,8490.19%18
47Wright251:2,0712.21%98
47Allen251:2,0711.43%65
47Salisbury251:2,0718.90%373
50Dew241:2,15714.72%586
51Taylor231:2,2510.74%46
51Davis231:2,2510.63%43
51Higgins231:2,2515.24%239
51Pary231:2,25146.94%1,749
55Hall221:2,3541.70%83
55Baker221:2,3541.30%68
55Gray221:2,3544.36%204
55George221:2,3540.61%45
55Wynne221:2,3541.90%96
60Thompson211:2,4662.35%121
60Harris211:2,4660.27%25
60Doyle211:2,46610.24%487
60Picton211:2,4665.54%290
60Rielly211:2,46695.45%3,399
65Johnson201:2,5891.47%77
65Humphrey201:2,5894.64%244
65Clay201:2,58920.20%942
65Jarrett201:2,58910.81%525
65Bulkeley201:2,58960.61%2,451
70Pearce191:2,7251.84%104
70Mathews191:2,7251.15%71
72Collins181:2,8770.97%61
72Matthews181:2,8770.95%59
72Cooke181:2,8774.79%293
75Bell171:3,0463.74%229
75Rogers171:3,0460.42%37
75Meredith171:3,0460.81%53
78Anderson161:3,2365.11%344
78Holmes161:3,2363.29%217
78Gibson161:3,2367.08%448
78Barnett161:3,2363.36%224
78Edmunds161:3,2361.01%73
78Staples161:3,23661.54%2,968
84Oliver151:3,4521.63%116
84Noble151:3,45211.72%745
86Wilson141:3,6991.10%84
86Jackson141:3,6991.57%122
86Marshall141:3,6993.39%258
86Williamson141:3,6999.33%631
86Hodgson141:3,69913.73%914
86Woods141:3,6994.46%343
86Buckley141:3,6993.16%236
86Gerrard141:3,69930.43%1,856
86Foulkes141:3,6991.19%93
86Bellis141:3,6991.68%132
86Chard141:3,69910.94%745
86Tyrer141:3,69958.33%3,160
86Warlow141:3,6993.97%313
86Ellias141:3,69958.33%3,160
100Watson131:3,9832.59%207
100Robertson131:3,9835.96%462
100Bennett131:3,9830.78%69
100Fletcher131:3,9833.21%271
100Fraser131:3,98310.08%737
100Burns131:3,9834.02%334
100Charles131:3,9830.84%74
100Burnell131:3,9839.70%704
100German131:3,98315.85%1,113
100Wrench131:3,98322.81%1,557
100Tatam131:3,983100.00%5,000
100Riva131:3,983100.00%5,000
112Walker121:4,3151.69%149
112Hill121:4,3150.58%54
112Campbell121:4,3154.20%366
112Adams121:4,3150.64%60
112Harvey121:4,3151.83%160
112Bowen121:4,3150.20%29
112Weston121:4,3156.70%538
112Robert121:4,3153.49%318
112Looms121:4,31592.31%5,000
121Clarke111:4,7070.91%89
121Rees111:4,7070.05%12
121Burton111:4,7072.67%260
121Murphy111:4,7070.99%102
121Watkins111:4,7070.17%27
121Rodgers111:4,7075.02%460
121Daniel111:4,7070.54%55
121Morgans111:4,7070.17%28
121Dent111:4,70718.64%1,512
121Frances111:4,7075.61%498
121Shone111:4,7073.82%363
121Lemin111:4,70745.83%3,160
121Furnel111:4,707100.00%5,610
121Tachill111:4,707100.00%5,610
135Barker101:5,1783.44%360
135Stevens101:5,1781.76%184
135Ford101:5,1781.27%141
135Day101:5,1781.76%185
135Elliott101:5,1782.44%263
135Hudson101:5,1784.85%484
135Riley101:5,1785.18%504
135Wallace101:5,1784.03%413
135Banks101:5,1787.30%690
135Perkins101:5,1781.05%112
135Davison101:5,1788.70%813
135Bullock101:5,1786.10%582
135Summers101:5,1782.67%294
135Lynch101:5,1782.82%312
135Beard101:5,1785.59%538
135O'Connor101:5,17810.75%1,002
135Solomon101:5,17810.20%951
135Fagan101:5,17831.25%2,509
135Hobday101:5,17876.92%5,000
135Pretty101:5,17837.04%2,880
135Shoesmith101:5,17866.67%4,503
135Aubrey101:5,1782.52%278
135McIlroy101:5,178100.00%6,008
135Tailor101:5,17822.22%1,900
135Vaux101:5,17834.48%2,718
160Harrison91:5,7531.06%127
160Kelly91:5,7531.29%153
160Webster91:5,7534.02%450
160Ball91:5,7531.53%177
160Reed91:5,7531.08%131
160Hawkins91:5,7531.43%168
160Harper91:5,7532.81%336
160Hardy91:5,7538.91%923
160Barton91:5,7534.02%450
160Bond91:5,7532.21%267
160Poole91:5,7531.88%222
160Herbert91:5,7530.76%91
160Peacock91:5,75318.37%1,749
160Beaumont91:5,75317.31%1,677
160Connor91:5,7535.39%572
160Farrell91:5,7538.33%864
160Wilkes91:5,7534.84%522
160Leech91:5,75316.98%1,646
160Roach91:5,7531.77%201
160Bunting91:5,75364.29%4,740
160William91:5,7531.07%129
160Joseph91:5,7530.97%115
160Brindle91:5,75369.23%5,000
160Swaine91:5,75345.00%3,652
160Coy91:5,75381.82%5,610
160Murch91:5,75337.50%3,160
160Crispin91:5,75352.94%4,121
160Timothy91:5,7534.50%492
160Prowting91:5,753100.00%6,522
189White81:6,4720.41%57
189Scott81:6,4721.21%158
189Mitchell81:6,4720.98%136
189Cook81:6,4720.71%99
189Simpson81:6,4722.77%361
189Knight81:6,4721.24%164
189Palmer81:6,4720.86%114
189Dixon81:6,4722.78%363
189Pearson81:6,4723.85%481
189Wells81:6,4723.15%408
189Greenwood81:6,4727.84%914
189Nicholson81:6,4726.50%766
189Cross81:6,4721.57%199
189Black81:6,47211.11%1,255
189Ashton81:6,4721.41%183
189Bartlett81:6,4722.07%282
189Gough81:6,4721.34%174
189Benson81:6,4726.78%791
189Johns81:6,4720.61%82
189Henry81:6,4722.41%327
189Castle81:6,47215.09%1,646
189Stephen81:6,4723.15%408
189Vernon81:6,4728.08%942
189Braithwaite81:6,47232.00%3,061
189Tyrrell81:6,47272.73%5,610
189Walford81:6,47221.05%2,182
189Purnell81:6,4723.51%443
189Death81:6,47250.00%4,293
189Pyne81:6,47221.05%2,182
189Keegan81:6,47240.00%3,652
189Lazarus81:6,47227.59%2,718
189Farrall81:6,47238.10%3,520
189Jerman81:6,4722.81%368
189Bouch81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Crewdson81:6,47247.06%4,121
189Horsford81:6,47242.11%3,796
189Hambley81:6,47272.73%5,610
189Jeune81:6,47272.73%5,610
189Jennett81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Delamere81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Aubery81:6,47280.00%6,008
189Bromely81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Whittenmore81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Mumrey81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Skefeston81:6,472100.00%7,186
189Bemo81:6,472100.00%7,186