Caerphilly Genealogical Records
Caerphilly Birth & Baptism Records
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.
Baptism registers document the baptism and sometimes birth of people in and around Caerphilly. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.
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.
An index of close to 1 million baptism, marriage and burial registers extracted from records of the Church of England.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
Caerphilly Marriage & Divorce Records
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.
Banns registers record details of those who wished to marry. They sometimes contain information not listed in marriage registers, notably the bride and groom's parish of residence. Banns also record marriages that were intended that did not go ahead and serve as a filler when a marriage register has been lost or damaged.
An index to over 50,000 marriages recorded in Anglican churches in Glamorganshire.
Digital images of registers recording 67,257 marriages and intentions to marry in Glamorganshire.
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.
Caerphilly Death & Burial Records
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.
Name index linked to original images of the burial registers of Caerphilly. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age residence and more.
Burial registers record burials that occurred at St Martin, Caerphilly. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present.
Burial registers record burials that occurred at St Martin, Caerphilly. 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.
An index of burials recorded at St Martin, Caerphilly_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.
Caerphilly Census & Population Lists
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.
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.
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Glamorganshire.
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.
Newspapers Covering Caerphilly
A weekly newspaper covering local news and family announcements, but also used as a fiery pulpit for Socialism. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.
A weekly newspaper covering local news and family announcements in the Aberdare Valley, Mountain Ash, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Glyn Neath area. The full text of editions can be searched and digital images of the pages can be viewed.
A Cardiff-based conservative newspaper the covered local news, sport, family notices etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.
A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.
A twice-yearly English-language local history journal containing articles on historical topics, with references, book reviews, notes and news.
Caerphilly Wills & Probate Records
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.
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.
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.
An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.
A collection of indexes, abstracts, transcripts and digital images of over 5.5 million wills, administrations and other probate records.
Caerphilly Immigration & Travel Records
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.
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.
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.
Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.
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.
Caerphilly Military Records
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.
Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.
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
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.
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.
Caerphilly Court & Legal Records
Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.
Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.
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.
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.
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.
Caerphilly Taxation Records
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
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.
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.
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 personal names listed in the Royalist Composition Papers that dealt with the estates of royalists.
Caerphilly Land & Property Records
Digital images recording those eligible to vote in part of Glamorganshire.
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.
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.
Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.
A searchable database of thousands of transcribed and abstracted manuscripts, largely pertaining to land.
Caerphilly Directories & Gazetteers
Directory & Guide to the towns & castles of Cardiff and Caerphilly, the city and cathedral of Landaff, and the surrounding towns, villages, gentlemen’s' seats, & remarkable places etc.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.
Caerphilly Cemeteries
An index to vital details engraved on over 80,000 gravestones and other monuments across the county of Glamorgan.
Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.
Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.
Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.
A searchable database of photographs relating to railways and canals in Britain.
Caerphilly Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
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.
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.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Caerphilly Histories & Books
Photographs and images of churches in Caerphilly.
A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.
A twice-yearly English-language local history journal containing articles on historical topics, with references, book reviews, notes and news.
An annual journal containing scholarly articles on geology, archaeology and natural history, with book reviews and society notes.
Photographs and images of churches in Vale of Glamorgan.
Caerphilly School & Education Records
Transcriptions of admission registers for 10 Glamorganshire schools. Records contain date of birth and the name of a pupil's parent or guardian.
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.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
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.
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.
Caerphilly Occupation & Business Records
A liberal newspaper that predominantly covered mercantile and shipping matters. It did not contain family announcements. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.
An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.
An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.
An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.
Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Caerphilly
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
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.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Caerphilly Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
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.
Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.
A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.
Lineages of Britain and Ireland's untitled landed families; supplemented with biographical sketches.
Caerphilly Church Records
Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Caerphilly. Parish registers can assist tracing a family as far back as 1834.
The parish registers of Caerphilly provide details of births, marriages and deaths from 1806 to 1923. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.
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.
An index of close to 1 million baptism, marriage and burial registers extracted from records of the Church of England.
The parish registers of Wales are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1914 to 2013.
Biographical Directories Covering Caerphilly
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
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.
Caerphilly Maps
A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
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.
Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.
Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.
Caerphilly Reference Works
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Wales.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
CAERPHILLY is a market town in the county of Glamorgan, near the range of hills which runs through that county and stretches northward into Brecknockshire, in the Eastern, division of the county and in the parish of Eglwysilan, 179 miles from London by rail (via Cardiff), 49 from Bristol, 7 from, Cardiff, 12 from Newport (Monmouth), 6 from Pontypridd and 59 from Swansea, in the hundred of Caerphilly, Lower Caerphilly petty sessional division, Pontypridd union, Cardiff county court district, and in the rural deanery of Upper Llandaff (north-eastern division) and archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaff. The Caerphilly station of the Rhymney railway, and of the Pontypridd and Newport railway opened in the autumn of 1887, is close to the village; a branch line, 4 miles in length, has recently (1894) been opened to Senghenith, where it is expected coal will be found in considerable quantities. Caerphilly is supposed to have been formerly a borough, but its privileges were lost in the reign of Henry VIII. The town stands in a broad valley inclosed by mountains, the descent to it from Cardiff being beautifully picturesque, and in many parts characterized by features of grandeur and sublimity. The houses are in general small and neatly built, but without order or regularity, and there are some modern dwellings. The Local Board, formed June 1893, now the Caerphilly Urban District Council, under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894,” comprises within the district the parishes of Eglwysilan and Llanfabon. The town is supplied with water from the tanks at Peny-capel and Nanty-calch, provided by the Rural District Council of Pontypridd, and is lighted with gas by a company formed in 1871.
Caerphilly ecclesiastical parish was formed in 1850 from Bedwas (Mon.) and Eglwysilan. The church of St. Martin, erected in 1879 at a cost of about £5,500, and consecrated by the late Bishop of Llandaff 17 Dec. 1879, is a, building in the Early English style, from designs by the late Mr. Buckeridge, architect, of London, carried out under the supervision of Mr. John L. Pearson R.A. and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, transepts, vestry and north porch: the stained east window is a memorial to the late Baroness Windsor: the organ was erected in 1891 at a cost of £516: there are 500 sittings. The register, included in that of Eglwysilan, which dates from 1689, has entries of marriages in St. Martin’s church from the year 1754. The living is a rectory, tithe rent-charge £236, average £177, net income £270, with 125 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Llandaff, and held since 1895 by the Rev. Daniel Lewis.
The Mission chapel, Pwll-y-pant, is a small building of stone with 150 sittings; services are conducted by the clergy of St. Martin’s twice every Sunday.
The London and Provincial Bank, the Glamorganshire Banking Co. and Lloyds Bank have branches here.
There is an extensive brewery, and the manufacture of flannel is also carried on to a small extent. At Llanbradach is a large colliery, and another at Senghenith will be opened in 1895.
Previous to the opening of the Glamorganshire canal, Cardiff was chiefly supplied with coals from this place.
The market, principally for the sale of cheese, is held weekly on Thursday. Cattle fairs are held on February 28th, April 4th and 5th, Trinity Thursday, July 19th, August 25th, October 9th, November 16th and the Thursday before Christmas.
Caerphilly Castle.-The ancient castle of Caerphilly is a stupendous and truly magnificent pile, standing near the town, on a level space, bounded on the north and south by lofty hills and expanding on the east and west into a beautiful vale, skirted by the river Rumney on the one side and on the other by the Taff: it appears to have been of Norman origin, and was enlarged at successive periods, chiefly by Hugh le Despenser, the favourite of Edward II. for whom it was wrested from the Mortimers, its ancient possessors: the buildings in the several courts, together with a spacious area, were inclosed within a lofty outer wall of great thickness, strengthened with massive buttresses and defended at intervals by square towers, between which a communication was kept up by an embattled corridor: in the outer court were the barracks for the garrison, from which a magnificent gateway, flanked by two magnificent hexagonal towers, gave access by a drawbridge over the moat into an inner ward, where another massive gateway, strongly defended by a portcullis, the grooves of which still remain, led into the court containing the state apartments; this court, seventy yards in length and forty wide, is enclosed on the north side by a lofty wall strengthened by buttresses and pierced at intervals by loop-holes for the discharge of missiles, and on the other sides by portions of the buildings and towers guarding the entrances: the great hall, a noble apartment, seventy feet in length, thirty-five wide and seventeen high, was lighted by four lofty ogee windows of beautiful design, finely wrought in the Decorated style; and at a height of twelve feet from the floor, ornamented corbels support clustered vaulting shafts four feet high: the roof, which was of timber, rested, on small clustered shafts rising above mutilated head's, carved in stone: these now sustain a modern roof, placed over the hall a few years since, on the occasion of the visit of the. Royal Archaeological Society; the western entrance to this court was also over a drawbridge, through a splendid arched gateway, defended by enormous bastions. The most conspicuous feature in the ruins is the greater part of a huge circular tower, about fifty feet in height, the summit of which has for centuries overhung the base about nine feet, being apparently preserved from falling by nothing but the tenacity of the cement with which it was constructed: these imposing remains are especially remarkable for their extraordinary extent, which comprises an area of not less than thirty acres, and the ruins themselves are the most magnificent of any now remaining in the Principality, and present an august memorial of a structure which, in its pristine splendour, could have been rivalled by few similar edifices in the kingdom.
In the neighbourhood Roman and other remains have been met with, and it has been thought by some that Caerphilly was a Roman station, corresponding to the “Jupania” of Ptolemy. From the old mansion, called Watford, near Caerphilly, George Whitefield, the eminent preacher, was married to Mrs. James (a widow) of Abergavenny: this marriage, which took place at St. Martin’s church, Caerphilly, is entered in the old register of Eglwysilan church, as follows: “George Whitefield and Elizabeth James, married, November, 1741: John Smith, vicar.” The “Boar’s Head” and “The Castle” are the two principal hotels and afford every necessary requirement for visitors to the ruins of the castle.
The Marquess of Bute K.T. who is lord of the manor, James Goodrich esq. William Lindesay Shedden esq. Lord Windsor and Lord Tredegar are the principal landowners. The owners of principal seats are-Henry Anthony esq. J.P. Bryncenydd House; John Stuart Corbett esq. J.P. Pwll-y-pant; Mrs. Margaret Davies, The Cwm. The chief crops are hay, wheat and barley. The soil is gravel; subsoil, various, chiefly clay. The area of the entire parish of Eglwysilan is 13,721 acres of land and 131 of water; rateable value, £59,950; the area of Caerphilly ecclesiastical parish is 3,255 acres; the population in 1891 was 3,313.
Energlyn a hamlet of Eglwysilan parish, includes the town of Caerphilly; Hendredenny, another hamlet, is one mile west-by-north; Park, 3 north-west; Rihyd-y-boitham, 1 ½ west; and Van, a hamlet in Bedwas parish, Mon. half mile east.
Petty Sessions are held the second & last Tuesday in every month at the Police Court, Caerphilly, at 10 a.m. in summer & 10.30 a.m. in winter. The following places are included in the Petty Sessional division:-Egwlvsilan, Llanfabon & Rudry, the hamlets of Cefn & Hengoed in the parish of Gelligaer, & the hamlets of Llanvedw, Rhydywern & Van.
Places of Worship, with times of Services
St. Martin’s Church, Rev. Daniel Lewis, rector; Rev. John Harris B.A. curate; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.
Pwllypant Mission Chapel, Revs. Daniel Lewis & John Harris B.A. ministers; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Baptist, Rev. John G. Hopkins; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Baptist (Welsh), Tony-felin, Rev. James P. Davies; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m.
Baptist (Welsh), Senghenith, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Calvinistic Methodist (Welsh); 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Tues. & Thur. 7 p.m.
Congregational (Welsh), Bethel, Rev. David Richards; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m.
Congregational (Welsh), Cwmyr-aber, Rev. Caleb Tawelfryn Thomas; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Congregational (Bethel); 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Congregational (Welsh), Groeswen, Rev. Caleb Tawelfryn Thomas; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Congregational (Welsh), Watford, Rev. Daniel Griffith Rees; 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Independent (Welsh), Senghenith; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Wesleyan; 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Schools
A School Board of 9 members was formed 15 May, 1871, for Eglwysilan parish; Thomas Thomas, clerk to the board; Edward Lewis, Caerphilly, attendance officer.
Board, Caerphilly, erected of stone, at a cost of £2,000, in 1875, for 250 boys, 235 girls & 250 infants; average attendance, 130 boys, 160 girls & 120 infants.
A new school has been erected (1894) in Mill road, with school house, at a cost of £2,500; attendance included above, also teachers.
Board, Aber Mill (mixed), erected in 1877, for 220 boys, girls & infants; average attendance, 135 boys, girls & infants.
National (mixed), Caerphilly, built in 1868, at a cost of £1,300, enlarged in 1886, will now accommodate 190 children; average attendance, 115.