Holyhead Genealogical Records

Holyhead 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.

Caergybi Baptism Registers (1737-1909)

Name index attached to original images of the baptism registers of Caergybi. Records document parents' names, date of baptism and/or birth, residence, occupations and more.

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.

Holyhead 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.

Caergybi Banns Registers (1782)

Banns registers list the names of people who intended to marry by the system of calling banns, in which the bride and groom's name were called for three weeks at church. At these callings objections could be made to a marriage. They record the bride and groom's parish of residence, which may be recorded differently in the marriage register.

Caergybi Marriage Registers (1737-1926)

Name index linked to original images of the marriage registers of Caergybi. Records document marriages from 1737 to 1926. Details may include a party's age, residence, martial status, father's name and signature.

Vicar General’s Office Marriage Licences (1600-1679)

Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.

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.

Holyhead 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.

Caergybi Burial Registers (1737-1980)

Burial registers record burials that occurred at Caergybi. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

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.

Holyhead 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 Holyhead

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.

Holyhead 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.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead Directories & Gazetteers

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.

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.

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, North Wales (1844)

A gazetteer covering larger settlements, and listing their trade, commercial and professional entities.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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 Holyhead

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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead Church Records

Caergybi Parish Registers (1737-1980)

The parish registers of Caergybi are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1737 and 1980.

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.

Biographical Directories Covering Holyhead

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.

Holyhead 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.

Holyhead 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.

Historical Description

Holyhead, or Caer-Gybi, situated in an island at the extreme point of Anglesea. It has lately been rendered more populous from its having been for some years past the chief resort for passengers to and from Ireland. The distance from hence to Dublin is about 20 leagues, but there are six packets continually ready, which go over to Ireland every day except Thursday, and return the next morning. In stormy weather the packets have been kept at sea for two or three days, but in favourable weather the passage is performed in twelve hours, and sometimes in six only; which is by far shorter and less dangerous than from either Liverpool or Parkgate.

Near the extremity of the town, on a rock close above the sea, is the Church, or where St. Cybi, in A. D. 380, founded a small monastery, but afterwards succeeded by a college of presbyters, founded by one of the lords in Anglesea the beginning of the twelfth century, and valued at 24l. per annum. The church belongs to Jesus College, Oxford, and is a handsome embattled edifice, built in the form of a cross, with this inscription on a pediment of the north transept: "Sanctae Kyb. ora pro nobis." The walls of the church-yard are built of stone, with a round tower at the northeast corner next the sea, ascribed to Caswallon Law-hir, lord of Anglesea in 450. It is in form of a quadrangle, and about 220 feet by 130. Three sides are enclosed by walls 17 feet high, and six thick: the fourth is nearly open to the sea, having only a parapet defended by steep rocks. It is asserted by some writers, that this church-yard was a fortification, erected by Caswallon in 450. Along the walls are two rows of round holes, four inches in diameter, hollowed through, and merely plastered over. There are also two rocks opposite the church, with ruins on them, called Ynys-Cybi and Ynys-Rug, under the mountain that overhangs the town, called the Head: it is a large cavern in the rock, supported by natural pillars, called the Parliament House, accessible only by boats. On its summit stands Caer Twr, a circular stone wall, without mortar, and about ten feet in circumference, probably a pharos.

Though Holyhead is much reported to by company to and from Ireland, it possesses very few attractions for the traveller on pleasure; yet, notwithstanding the small extent of the island on which Holyhead stands, it exports annually from its harbour alone 40, 000 bushels of excellent grain to various parts of England and Ireland.

Holyhead is situated 269 miles from London, contains 563 houses, and 2, 132 inhabitants. Its market is on Saturdays.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

HOLYHEAD is a parish, market town and seaport at the western extremity of the isle of Anglesey, with a terminal station on the Chester & Holyhead section of the London & North-Western railway, and is 261 miles from London, 84 west-by-north from Chester, 28 west from Beaumaris, 30 north-west from Carnarvon, and 60 east from Dublin, partly in the hundred of Talybolion, but extending into that of Llyfon, in the Holyhead union, Holyhead and Llangefni county-court district, rural deanery of Talybolion, and archdeaconry and diocese of Bangor. The Local Government Act, 1858 (21 & 22 Viet. c. 98), was adopted here in December 1859, but under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1894 (56 & 57 Viet. c. 73), the town is now governed by an Urban District Council.

This place derives its chief importance and prosperity from being a harbour of refuge, and the station of the Irish mail steamers, which convey the London and other English mails to and from Dublin daily. In addition to these, there are other steam vessels belonging to the railway company, and sailing from the harbour regularly three times a day. Between the years 1835 and 1847 the attention of the Government was directed to the importance of providing improved harbour accommodation on the coast of North Wales for the sake of the packet service between England and Ireland, as well as a harbour of refuge, and on the construction of the tubular railway bridge across the Menai Straits by the Chester & Holyhead Railway Company in 1846-50, Holyhead was at once selected for these purposes. Of the several schemes proposed for a harbour of refuge, that of the late Mr. James M. Rendel C.E., F. R. S. was accepted in 1845; the first contract was made Dec. 24, 1847; and the harbour was declared open by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales K. G. Aug. 19, 1873. It is 267 acres in extent, and there is (in addition) a roadstead of 400 acres of deep water, sheltered by the extended arm of the breakwater, which starts from a point about a mile and a half north-west of the town, and is 7,860 feet in length, running out with two angular breaks towards the north-east; a fine promenade, with recesses at intervals, traverses its entire length, and at the extreme point stands a lighthouse with a red revolving light; the total cost amounted to nearly £1,500,000; nearly 2,500 vessels seek refuge within the harbour in the course of a year; and since its completion, both the water area and quayage have been much enlarged, and there are now few harbours possessing greater facilities of ingress and egress or better anchorage ground. The harbour is entirely free to the vessels of all nations resorting to it for the purpose of shelter. Mr. J. M. Rendel F.R.S. was engineerin-chief from the commencement of the work until his death at the end of 1856, when Mr. John Hawkshaw F.R.S. succeeded him, and under his superintendence the works were completed; Mr. George C. Dobson being the resident engineer, and Messrs. J. & C. Righy the contractors. The town harbour, east of the town, forms in outline an elongated triangle, with the apex to the south, and near the railway station, from which branch lines, both for passengers and goods, run to both eastern and western quays; and connected with the latter is the Admiralty pier, used by the mail steamers; it is about 1,000 feet in length, and is spanned by a marble arch in the Classic style, erected to commemorate the visit of George IV. to the town in 1821, and bearing inscriptions in Welsh and Latin; this harbour is about 660 yards Jong by 200 wide, and it has an area of 24 acres; strongly built quay walls enclose it on either side, and it is now lighted by the electric light. At what date Holyhead was first selected as a mail-packet station is uncertain, but a packet service had certainly been established by the reign of William III. During the bathing season many families make the town their residence. Bathing machines are provided on the beach.

The parish church of St. Cybi, or Kebius, once collegiate, and standing near the verge of the cliff, within the precincts of what seems to have been a fortified Roman station, was entirely rebuilt at the close of the 15th century, and is an edifice of stone, consisting of chancel, transepts, nave of three bays, aisles, south porch, vestry and an embattled western tower, with a low flattened spire; the chancel is long and narrow, and probably in the original church was used for the services of the canons of the collegiate foundation, the western limb, and possibly the transepts, being assigned to the parishioners; the two easternmost piers of the nave are of large dimensions, though differing essentially in plan, and seem to show that it was at one time intended to build a tower at the intersection of the nave and transepts, but there are no traces of any corresponding piers further eastward; some of the remaining piers are square, with shafts set back in the angles, and a square moulded abacus, chamfered at the corners.; the north aisle and tower are of earlier date than the south aisle; the tower abuts immediately on a wall of presumed Roman work, and is entered only from the interior; the porch exhibits, over the entrance, some good panelling and shields of arms, which are thought to have been transferred from some other building; the exterior of the south transept retains some rudely carved representations of the emblems of the evangelists, and a mitred head between angels, perhaps indicating St. Cybi, and in the wall of the north transept is a stone inscribed, “SANCTE KYBI ORA PRO NOBIS.” The church was restored in 1876 at a cost of £6,184. The registers date from the year 1737. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £440, with 6 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Jesus Coll. Oxford. The great tithes were given to Jesus College, Oxford, in 1648 by Rhys Gwynne esq. The church of St. Seiriol on Summer hill, opened in October 1854 at a cost of £4,500, is an edifice in the Gothic style. The services are conducted by the clergy of the parish church. The Catholic chapel, built in 1855, is dedicated to St. Mary, Help of Christians. There are also Baptist, Independent, Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodist chapels. The cemetery at Twllclawdd controlled by a burial board of 9 members.

The market house, opened in May 1855, and erected at a cost of £3,000 by the Hon. William Owen M. P., F. S. A. (d. 1884), is a neat building of stone with Stotten hill dressings. The market is held on Saturday.

The principal hotels are the London and North-Western, at the head of the harbour, near the station, and belonging to the railway company; the Marine, on the road from the station to the pier; the George and the Stanley. In front of the station hotel, and between the platforms, is a clock tower, erected to commemorate the opening of the new harbour by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1873; and on the rocks east of the harbour is an obelisk, erected as a memorial to Capt. Skinner, commander of one of the mail packets, who was washed overboard and drowned in 1832.

The site of the presumed Roman station, now the churchyard, forms a parallelogram, 220 feet long by 130 broad, and is enclosed on three sides by strong though roughly built walls of masonry 6 feet thick and 17 feet in height, perforated with two rows of circular openings about 4 inches in diameter; at the extremities of the open portion facing the harbour, and also at the angles, there appear to have originally been large circular towers, only one of which is now at all perfect.

Holyhead mountain, west of the town, and 719 feet in height, affords, in clear weather, a very extensive view, including, seaward, the Skerries lighthouse (100 feet), the Isle of Man and the Irish coast and mountains; on the way to the mountain a holy well, called Ffynnon Gorlas, is passed; on the summit of the mountain is Caer Gybi, a stone-built fortress of very early date; at the foot of the mountain stands Capel Llochwydd, an ancient and now ruined chapel; a similar chapel once stood on Capel-y-Towyn, a sandy eminence near the seashore. The North stack, beyond the mountain, is a promontory rising about 560 feet above the sea, with broken rocky sides and steep slopes covered with heather, and has on it the remains of the old telegraph buildings. The South stack is an immense mass of isolated rock, about 2 miles south of the mountain and 4 west of Holyhead; it is connected with the mainland by a suspension bridge of 110 feet span, with massive archway piers at either end, thrown across the channel, in 1827, by the Corporation of the Trinity House, and a descent of about 390 steps leads down to it from the Holyhead mountain; on this rock, at a height of 140 feet above the sea level, stands the South Stack lighthouse, built in 1808-9, also by the Trinity House, under the direction of Capt. Evans; the lighthouse is 72 feet in height, and its light, produced by 21 lamps is displayed every two minutes; on the stack is also an ancient tower, and in the promontory are a number of fine caverns, one of which, with an arched entrance 70 feet high, is known as the “Parliament House.” A small monastery was founded here by St. Cybi, or Kebius, c. A. D. 380; and afterwards Hwfa ap Cynddelin founded a college, it is said, in 1137, which was certainly existing before 1291; in 26 Henry VIII. (1534-5) it was valued at £24, and in 7 James I, (1609-10) it was granted to Francis Morrice and Francis Phillips.

Llaingoch and Porthyfelin are small hamlets in this parish. The area comprises 6,293 acres, of which 13 are water; the population in 1891 was 9,610.

Holyhead Union

The union includes the following parishes:-Aberffraw, Bodedern, Bodwrog, Ceirchiog, Cerrigceinwen, Heneglwys, Holyhead, Llanbeulan, Llanddeusant, Llandrvgarn, Llanfachreth, Llanfaelog, Llanfaethly, Llanfairyneubwll, Llanfigael, Llanfihangel -yn-Nhowyn, Llanfwrog, Llangwyfan, Llanllibio, Llanrhyddlad, Llantrisaint, Llanynghenedl, Llechylched, Rhoscolyn & Trewalchmai.

The area comprises 59,358 acres; the population in 1891 was 19 538; rateable value, 1893, £74,579.

Places of Worship.

St. Cybi’s, Old Market place, Rev. James Jones & Rev.

Robert Price B.A. curates.

St. Seiriol’s, Summerhill, Rev. Robert Price B. A. curate.

Catholic Church (St. Mary’s), Market street, Rev. Edward Byrne, priest.

Baptist:—

Edmund street, Rev. Thomas M. Rees.

Newry street (English).

Kingsland, Rev. William Price.

Llaingoch (various).

Calvinistic Methodist:—

Thomas street, Rev. William R. Jones.

London road.

Kingsland, Rev. Richard Lloyd.

Llaingoch.

Congregational, Newry st. (Welsh), Rev.-Hughes.

Independent:—

Newry street, Rev. William Griffith.

Thomas street, Rev. Robert P. Williams.

Mount Pleasant.

Llaingoch.

Wesleyan Methodists:—

Armenia street (Welsh).

Cross street (English), Rev. H. M. Ratcliffe.

Newry street (English).

Forcer hill (Welsh), Rev. Lewris Owen.

Victoria road (Welsh), Rev. Lewis Owen, minister Llaingoch.

Salvation Army, 23 Market street.

Schools

Holyhead Grammar School, Rossa lodge, Rev.

Morgan Jones M. A. master.

A school board of 7 members was formed 3rd August 1874; clerk, Richard E. Pritchard, Market street; attendance inspector, Evan T. Jones.

Schools:—

Lower Park street, Owen Roberts, master; Margaret Evens, mistress; Mary Jane Jones, infants’ mistress British, Thomas street, Humphrey B. Jones, master; Jane Williams, mistress.

National, Kingsland road, George Matthews, master; A. M. Rowlands, mistress.

Catholic, Market street, Susan Young, mistress.

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

Most Common Surnames in Holyhead

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Talybolion Hundred
1Jones1,5431:614.81%1
2Williams1,2141:814.60%2
3Hughes8151:1215.11%3
4Roberts6611:1515.36%4
5Owen5901:1615.86%5
6Thomas3381:2913.89%6
7Parry2621:3716.38%7
8Evans2521:3819.55%8
9Lewis1731:5620.07%10
10Davies1541:6320.51%13
11Pritchard1501:6417.86%11
12Griffith1431:6819.30%14
13Griffiths1121:8620.97%16
14Rowlands1051:9213.64%12
15Owens871:1119.86%9
16Edwards821:11811.55%15
17Morris801:12121.51%17
18Ellis681:14231.63%19
19Brown491:19775.38%30
20Martin401:24185.11%34
21Price371:26126.62%22
22James301:32239.47%28
23Lloyd281:34513.08%20
24Michael271:35875.00%39
25Smith261:37130.59%25
26Green241:40285.71%45
27Higgins221:43995.65%51
28Picton211:460100.00%60
29Clay201:483100.00%65
30Jenkins171:56853.13%40
30Pearce171:56889.47%70
30Cooke171:56894.44%72
33Morgan161:60417.78%24
33Bell161:60494.12%75
33Gray161:60472.73%55
36Johnson151:64475.00%65
37Hodgson141:690100.00%86
37Humphreys141:6907.78%21
39Burns131:743100.00%100
39Charles131:743100.00%100
39Burnell131:743100.00%100
39Tatam131:743100.00%100
43Campbell121:805100.00%112
43Marshall121:80585.71%86
43Bennett121:80592.31%100
43Noble121:80580.00%84
43Weston121:805100.00%112
43Peters121:80521.82%32
43Riva121:80592.31%100
50Taylor111:87847.83%51
50Humphrey111:87855.00%65
50Shone111:878100.00%121
50Tachill111:878100.00%121
54Wilson101:96671.43%86
54Murphy101:96690.91%121
54Riley101:966100.00%135
54George101:96645.45%55
54Perkins101:966100.00%135
54Rodgers101:96690.91%121
54Beard101:966100.00%135
54Dent101:96690.91%121
54Fagan101:966100.00%135
54McIlroy101:966100.00%135
64Robertson91:1,07369.23%100
64Day91:1,07390.00%135
64Reed91:1,073100.00%160
64Hawkins91:1,073100.00%160
64Harper91:1,073100.00%160
64Barton91:1,073100.00%160
64Bond91:1,073100.00%160
64Bullock91:1,07390.00%135
64Beaumont91:1,073100.00%160
64Roach91:1,073100.00%160
64Bunting91:1,073100.00%160
64Prichard91:1,0733.67%18
64Swaine91:1,073100.00%160
64Coy91:1,073100.00%160
64Crispin91:1,073100.00%160
64Vaux91:1,07390.00%135
64Prowting91:1,073100.00%160
81White81:1,207100.00%189
81Collins81:1,20744.44%72
81Benson81:1,207100.00%189
81Johns81:1,207100.00%189
81Henry81:1,207100.00%189
81Castle81:1,207100.00%189
81Stephen81:1,207100.00%189
81Wilkes81:1,20788.89%160
81Vernon81:1,207100.00%189
81Braithwaite81:1,207100.00%189
81Tyrrell81:1,207100.00%189
81Walford81:1,207100.00%189
81Bellis81:1,20757.14%86
81Purnell81:1,207100.00%189
81Pyne81:1,207100.00%189
81Keegan81:1,207100.00%189
81Farrall81:1,207100.00%189
81Bouch81:1,207100.00%189
81Horsford81:1,207100.00%189
81Hambley81:1,207100.00%189
81Whittenmore81:1,207100.00%189
81Skefeston81:1,207100.00%189
103Hall71:1,37931.82%55
103Harris71:1,37933.33%60
103Cook71:1,37987.50%189
103Knight71:1,37987.50%189
103Holmes71:1,37943.75%78
103Armstrong71:1,379100.00%235
103Woods71:1,37950.00%86
103Hardy71:1,37977.78%160
103Ashton71:1,37987.50%189
103Hewitt71:1,379100.00%235
103Anthony71:1,379100.00%235
103McNab71:1,379100.00%235
103Foulkes71:1,37950.00%86
103Cummins71:1,379100.00%235
103McWilliam71:1,379100.00%235
103Mathias71:1,379100.00%235
103Mahon71:1,379100.00%235
103Haggart71:1,379100.00%235
103Burnes71:1,379100.00%235
103Ruddy71:1,379100.00%235
103Feney71:1,379100.00%235
103Flagan71:1,379100.00%235
103Wathon71:1,379100.00%235
103Huttersley71:1,379100.00%235
127Anderson61:1,60937.50%78
127Phillips61:1,60921.43%45
127Cox61:1,60985.71%235
127Kelly61:1,60966.67%160
127Harvey61:1,60950.00%112
127Stevens61:1,60960.00%135
127Rees61:1,60954.55%121
127Burton61:1,60954.55%121
127Elliott61:1,60960.00%135
127Wells61:1,60975.00%189
127Ball61:1,60966.67%160
127Nicholson61:1,60975.00%189
127Sutton61:1,60985.71%235
127Watkins61:1,60954.55%121
127Francis61:1,6098.82%29
127Lamb61:1,60985.71%235
127Thornton61:1,609100.00%281
127Reeves61:1,609100.00%281
127Cartwright61:1,60985.71%235
127Hay61:1,609100.00%281
127Pope61:1,609100.00%281
127Gardiner61:1,609100.00%281
127Garrett61:1,609100.00%281
127Guest61:1,609100.00%281
127Walmsley61:1,609100.00%281
127Blackwell61:1,60985.71%235
127Gardener61:1,609100.00%281
127Cave61:1,609100.00%281
127Warwick61:1,60985.71%235
127Radford61:1,609100.00%281
127Doughty61:1,609100.00%281
127Maguire61:1,609100.00%281
127Moses61:1,609100.00%281
127Wynne61:1,60927.27%55
127Bowes61:1,609100.00%281
127Joseph61:1,60966.67%160
127Coombe61:1,609100.00%281
127Osmond61:1,609100.00%281
127Durkin61:1,609100.00%281
127Dare61:1,609100.00%281
127Gannon61:1,609100.00%281
127Liggins61:1,609100.00%281
127Warlow61:1,60942.86%86
127Beckingham61:1,609100.00%281
127Work61:1,609100.00%281
127Whitnall61:1,609100.00%281
127Stripp61:1,609100.00%281
127Sawrey61:1,60985.71%235
127Hallaran61:1,609100.00%281
127Clavell61:1,609100.00%281
127Hempenstall61:1,609100.00%281
127Ballyn61:1,609100.00%281
127Champers61:1,609100.00%281
127Breadnum61:1,609100.00%281
127Kawly61:1,609100.00%281
182Jackson51:1,93135.71%86
182Scott51:1,93162.50%189
182King51:1,93171.43%235
182Simpson51:1,93162.50%189
182Foster51:1,93183.33%281
182Powell51:1,93115.63%40
182Fletcher51:1,93138.46%100
182Fraser51:1,93138.46%100
182Lowe51:1,93183.33%281
182Burgess51:1,931100.00%359
182Cross51:1,93162.50%189
182Baxter51:1,931100.00%359
182Bowen51:1,93141.67%112
182Davison51:1,93150.00%135
182Mellor51:1,93171.43%235
182Howells51:1,931100.00%359
182Gunn51:1,931100.00%359
182Paton51:1,931100.00%359
182Meredith51:1,93129.41%75
182Inglis51:1,931100.00%359
182Jolly51:1,93171.43%235
182Steward51:1,93171.43%235
182Pool51:1,931100.00%359
182Cann51:1,931100.00%359
182Woodall51:1,931100.00%359
182Moreton51:1,931100.00%359
182Russel51:1,931100.00%359
182Newland51:1,931100.00%359
182Sear51:1,931100.00%359
182Weekes51:1,931100.00%359
182Braidwood51:1,931100.00%359
182Tapson51:1,93183.33%281
182Lansbury51:1,931100.00%359
182Holes51:1,931100.00%359
182Emmes51:1,931100.00%359
182Karley51:1,931100.00%359
182Varian51:1,931100.00%359
182Space51:1,931100.00%359
182Pryderch51:1,931100.00%359
182Abbit51:1,931100.00%359
182Devenald51:1,931100.00%359