Merionethshire Genealogical Records

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire Baptisms (1568-1913)

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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire Marriages (1570-1928)

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.

Merionethshire Banns (1754-1926)

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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire Burials (1568-1994)

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.

Merionethshire 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 Merionethshire

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.

Aberystwyth Observer (1858-1910)

An English language newspaper covering news by district in Ceredigion, South Merionethshire and West Montgomeryshire. It was a conservative newspaper. Editions of the paper are fully searchable and linked to original newspaper pages.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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, North Wales (1844)

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

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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.

Gwynedd Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Gwynedd.

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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire 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 Merionethshire

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.

Merionethshire 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.

Merionethshire Church Records

Merionethshire Parish Registers (1568-1994)

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 Merionethshire

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.

Merionethshire Maps

Maps of Merionethshire (1607-1913)

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.

Merionethshire 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

Merionethshire, or in Welsh, Meirion, or Meirionydd, is bounded on the north by Caernarvon, on the north-east by Denbigh, on the east and south-east by Montgomery. and the estuary of Dyvi, with the bay of Cardigan on the west. Its length from east to west is forty-five miles, and from north to south, thirty-four broad, and contains 500, 000 acres of land, of which 350, 000 are pasturage, and 50, 000 arable. The original divisions of this county were three cantrevs, or hundreds, Dinodig, Penllyn, and Meirion, but it is now divided into five hundreds, viz. Ardudwy, Edeyrnion, Ystumanner, Penllyn, and Talybont; and contains thirty-seven parishes, and part of three others; four market- towns, Bala, Dolgellau, Harlech, and Dinas Mawddwy, and 6022 houses, inhabited by 30, 924 persons, viz. 14, 308 males, and 16, 616 females. This county, as to its ecclesiastical government, is included within the diocese of Bangor.

The face of this county is varied throughout with a most romantic mixture of all the peculiar scenery belonging to a wild and mountainous region, but less dreary than Caernarvonshire, being much better clothed with wood, yet not less fertile in objects which impress the mind with astonishment. The air of Merionethshire is very sharp in winter, on account of its vast number of high and barren mountains, and the soil in general is extremely poor; however, it affords sustenance to large flocks of sheep, and numerous herds of horned cattle, which find provender chiefly in the pastures and vallies. Among the commodities may be reckoned iron, cotton, fowls, herrings, yarn, stockings, and gloves; some of the lakes afford excellent char, and singular crooked-backed trouts. This county abounds with extensive sheep-walks, which furnish many manufactures with wool for stockings and flannels.

Beneath the lofty Berwyn hills spreads a fine vale, with the infant Dee, although it only receives the name on leaving Bala lake; yet some trace its head higher, even to the lofty Aran, which Spenser makes the residence of Timon, the foster-father to Prince Arthur.

"His dwelling is full low in valley green,

Under the foot of Aran’s mossy hoar,

From whence the river Dee, as silver clean,

His tumbling billows rolls with gentle roar."

South of this spot begins an Alpine region, of narrow and deep vallies between high, verdant, and precipitous hills, with moors affording peat, almost the only fuel of the county, while the Dyfi, a considerable river, rolls in the bottom, and at last forms the southern boundary of Merionethshire.

This county returns only one member to parliament, while all the other Welsh counties, including the boroughs, send two.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

MERIONETHSHIRE, a maritime county of North Wales, is bounded on the west by Cardigan Bay, on the north-west by Carnarvonshire, on the north and north-east by Denbighshire, on the east and south-east by Montgomeryshire, on the south by Cardiganshire and the estuary of the Dovey. The county derives its name from a cantrev of ancient Wales called Merion, and is the only one in North Wales which retains its ancient name with the addition of the word shire. Merionethshire is somewhat irregular in form, and extends from Aberdovey, its southernmost point, northwards to near Llyn Lagi, at its northern extremity, for a distance of 34 miles; the width, from the eastern border near Berwyn railway station to Minfford Junction, near the western confines of the county, is 37 miles; the total area is 427,810 acres. Nearly the whole of the surface is occupied by wild and barren rocks and mountains; of the latter the loftiest range is the Berwyn, which, commencing in the south-eastern part of Denbighshire, forms the lofty summit of Cader Ferwyn (2,107 ft.), near the north-eastern extremity of this county, and, stretching to the south-west, presents numerous lofty peaks, including Cader Idris, the trifurcated summit of which, consisting chiefly of immense columns of highly crystalline greenstone, reaches an altitude of 2,929 ft.; other high peaks are: Arran Fowddy (2,955 ft.) and Arran Penllyn, south of Bala; Arrennig Fawr (2,809 ft.) and Arrennig Fach (2,290 ft.). The mountainous character of the county is agreeably diversified by the lower hills, several small level plains, and numerous romantic valleys, while the whole district is interspersed with woods, lakes, rivers, and cataracts. The rivers are numerous; and from a line entering from Montgomeryshire and running south-west from near Arran Fowddy to Drws-y-Nant, between Bala and Dolgelley, and thence northwords across the mountains to Llyn Morwynion, and terminating near Festiniog Vale, the rivers descend in opposite directions, on one side eastward and the other westward. The principal streams on the western side of this parting ridge are the Dovey, which flows to the southwest, through the Machynlleth Valley; the Mawddach, flowing through the vale of that name, and is joined by the Wnion, which runs through the Vale of Dolgelley from Drws-y-Nant, the united streams emptying themselves into the sea at Barmouth; and the Dwyrhyd, which trends through the Vale of Festiniog. The principal of the rivers on the eastern side of the ridge is the Dee, which rises under a hill near the head of Bala Lake, and flows to the north-east through the Yale of Edeyrnion, and thence eastward through the Vales of Glyndyfrdwy and Llangollen; the principal tributary of this river in Merionethshire is the Tryweryn, which joins the Dee a short distance from Bala. Merioneth abounds with many lakes, but most of them are small, with the exception of Llyn Tegid, or Bala Lake, which is about 4 miles in length and varies from half a mile to a mile in width; of the smaller lakes the principal is Llyn Tal-y-Llyn, at the foot of the Cader Idris.

The principal railways in Merionethshire are the Great Western and the Cambrian: the Ruabon, Corwen, and Dolgelley section of the first-named company enters the eastern extremity of the county near Glyndyfrdwy station, and runs westward to Corwen, where there is a connection with the London and North-Western system; continuing from this point in a south-westerly direction, the line passes through Bala, whence there is a branch to Blaenau Festiniog, on to Dolgelley, the terminus. The Cambrian main line of railway crosses the border close to the southern confines of the county near Glan Dovey Junction, where a deviation proceeds along the northern bank of the estuary of the Dovey till it reaches Aberdovey, when it sweeps to the north and continues in close proximity to the shore of Cardigan Bay, through Towyn (the change-station for the Tal-y-Llyn railway), Barmouth, and Harlech to Minffordd Junction, where there is a connection with the Festiniog railway, and thence to Afon Wen and Pwllheli; from Barmouth Junction a branch runs to the north-east through Arthog and Penmaenpool to Dolgelley. The London and North-Western Railway has two lines penetrating the county; the Bettws-y-Coed and Festiniog line passes in by a tunnel under the Gerddinen mountains north of Blaenau Festiniog, which is the terminus of this section; the other line is the Denbigh, Ruthin, and Corwen, which enters the county from the north at Derwen station, and forms a connection with the Great Western system at Corwen. The Corris Narrow Gauge railway starts from Machynlleth, in Montgomeryshire, and runs northwards through the Valley of the Dulas to Corris and Aberllefenny. The Festiniog railway, a narrow gauge line, starts from Portmadoc, in Carnarvonshire; and pursues a north-easterly direction to Blaenau Festiniog. The Mawddwy railway is a short line from Cemmes Road Station, on the Cambrian railway, to Dinas Mawddwy. From Towyn, on the Cambrain main line, the Tal-y-Llyn railway runs in a north-easterly direction through Rhydryronen, Brynglas, and Dolgoch to Abergynolwyn.

The county contains vast beds of slate rock, which is extensively quarried and shaped into roofing slates, slabs, and other articles of slate manufacture; copper and lead ores are also found, and limestone is obtained in abundance. The chief manufactures are Welsh flannels and tweeds, woollen wrebs, and knit stockings and socks.

The climate in the larger valleys and near the coast is mild, but on the mountains it is cold and tempestuous. The soils are various, and those of the low lands are very fertile; oats form the chief grain crop, but barley is also extensively grown, and potatoes are a productive crop.

Merionethshire contains 34 civil parishes and parts of two others, and is partly in the diocese of Bangor and partly in the diocese of St. Asaph. The portion in Bangor diocese is within the archdeaconry of Merioneth, and is in the rural deaneries of Ardudwy, Cyfeiliog, and Estimaner. The portion in St. Asaph diocese is within the archdeaconry of Wrexham, and is in the rural deaneries of Penllyn and Edeirmion. 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 six petty sessional divisions. Dolgelley is the seat of the assizes; quarter sessions are held at Dolgelley and Bala alternately. The chief towns are: Aberdovey, Bala, Barmouth, Corwen, Dinas-mawddwy, Dolgelley, Harlech, and Towyn.

The registration districts are:

NoNameAreaPopulation in 1891
622Corwen127,14016,258
623Bala98,7756,115
624Dolgelley154,26514,492
625Festiniog145,62227,861

Merioneth County Council

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

Under the above Act Merionethshire, after the 1st April 1889, for the purposes of the Act, became an administrative county (sec. 46), governed by a County Council, consisting of chairman, aldermen, 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 for 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 Bala.

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

CropsAcresLive StockNumbers
Corn & cereals15,267Horses used solely for agriculture2,896
Roots, cabbage, vetches & other green crops3,976Unbroken horses1,835
Clover & grasses13,987Brood mares379
Permanent pasture120,951Cows in milk or calf14,404
Bare fallow128Other cattle, 2 years & above7,345
Market gardens5Other cattle, 1 year & under 29,047
Nursery grounds11Other cattle, under 1 year9,099
Orchards26Ewes kept for breeding128,388
Mountain & heathland175,350Other sheep, 1 year old & above165,556
Woods & plantations13,750Other sheep, under 1 year110,772
  Sows kept for breeding1,309
  Other pigs6,529
Slater's Directory of North and Mid Wales (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Merionethshire

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wales
1Jones11,9621:46.88%1
2Roberts5,3521:1011.77%6
3Williams5,2241:104.92%2
4Evans3,2901:164.65%5
5Davies3,2441:163.19%3
6Hughes2,0421:255.69%8
7Owen1,7651:2910.91%16
8Edwards1,7131:307.25%11
9Thomas1,4831:352.09%4
10Lewis1,0401:502.82%7
11Lloyd1,0331:507.47%20
12Griffiths8071:643.20%10
13Morris7471:694.68%17
14Pugh7071:7316.69%36
15Ellis6951:7513.37%34
16Richards6741:774.85%19
17Parry6681:785.25%21
18Owens6551:797.22%24
19Griffith6261:8310.75%30
20Humphreys5961:8715.09%38
21Rowlands4991:1049.50%33
22Pughe3721:13975.76%213
23Price2841:1831.75%15
24Rees2701:1921.20%12
25Morgan2351:2210.87%9
26Pritchard1681:3092.94%32
27Vaughan1451:3584.74%48
28James1411:3680.71%13
29Smith1151:4511.65%26
30Morgans991:5241.55%28
31Jenkins871:5960.46%14
32Wynne811:6406.99%96
33Pierce801:6485.92%78
34Davis721:7201.96%43
35Foulkes701:7415.94%93
36Powell601:8640.65%23
37Richard591:8796.06%109
38Phillips571:9100.40%18
38Edmunds571:9103.58%73
40Francis551:9431.46%42
41Humphrey491:1,05811.37%244
42Watkins441:1,1790.68%27
42Rowland441:1,1793.78%94
44Howell361:1,4401.52%50
45Tudor351:1,4826.93%204
46Daniel341:1,5251.68%55
47Rogers331:1,5710.81%37
47William331:1,5713.93%129
49Meredith311:1,6731.48%53
50Peters301:1,7293.25%117
51Green291:1,7881.90%75
51Prichard291:1,7881.67%66
53Breese271:1,9217.78%317
54Wood261:1,9942.87%120
54Clarke261:1,9942.16%89
56Howells251:2,0740.43%31
57Miles241:2,1611.41%67
57Ephraim241:2,16182.76%2,718
59Brown231:2,2550.61%41
60Lumley221:2,35727.16%1,123
61Adams201:2,5931.07%60
61George201:2,5930.55%45
61Joseph201:2,5932.15%115
64White191:2,7290.98%57
64Jarrett191:2,72910.27%525
64Gabriel191:2,72912.50%627
67Thompson181:2,8812.01%121
67Mills181:2,8811.46%86
67Rowe181:2,8812.79%165
67Andrew181:2,8815.47%329
71Newell171:3,05010.00%565
72Scott161:3,2412.42%158
72Bennett161:3,2410.96%69
72Watkin161:3,2412.30%154
75Robert151:3,4574.36%318
75Pritchards151:3,45753.57%2,800
77Wright141:3,7041.24%98
77Harris141:3,7040.18%25
77Buckley141:3,7043.16%236
77Bowen141:3,7040.23%29
77Mathews141:3,7040.85%71
77Arthur141:3,7041.75%139
77Penny141:3,70414.58%975
77Brodie141:3,70456.00%3,061
77Brees141:3,70431.82%1,944
86Taylor131:3,9890.42%46
86Bell131:3,9892.86%229
86Barnett131:3,9892.73%224
86Daniels131:3,9892.28%182
86Park131:3,98914.77%1,046
86Tanner131:3,9893.70%314
86Philips131:3,9892.40%195
86Kirkham131:3,98919.12%1,326
86Samuel131:3,9890.72%63
86Edward131:3,9893.19%267
86Whittington131:3,98913.54%975
86Blades131:3,98986.67%4,503
86Vaughn131:3,9894.01%332
86Emanuel131:3,9895.08%404
100Johnson121:4,3210.88%77
100Watson121:4,3212.40%207
100Harrison121:4,3211.41%127
100Fisher121:4,3211.19%106
100Tucker121:4,3210.98%88
100Vincent121:4,3216.86%553
100Charles121:4,3210.77%74
100Salisbury121:4,3214.27%373
100Reese121:4,3213.31%309
100Foulks121:4,32111.21%870
100Cadwaladr121:4,32134.29%2,341
111Hall111:4,7140.85%83
111Jackson111:4,7141.23%122
111Mason111:4,7141.18%113
111Barnard111:4,71411.58%987
111Baines111:4,71411.83%1,002
111Stephen111:4,7144.33%408
111Bellis111:4,7141.32%132
111Hurt111:4,71484.62%5,000
119Wilson101:5,1860.78%84
119Robinson101:5,1861.14%124
119Young101:5,1860.83%90
119Page101:5,1863.16%342
119Goodwin101:5,1861.84%193
119Jennings101:5,1863.88%398
119Heath101:5,1867.09%672
119Ashton101:5,1861.76%183
119Poole101:5,1862.09%222
119Astley101:5,1865.15%501
119Lovegrove101:5,18662.50%4,293
119Bernard101:5,18627.03%2,234
119Yoxall101:5,186100.00%6,008
132Clark91:5,7620.92%108
132Robertson91:5,7624.13%462
132Thomson91:5,7626.29%667
132Graham91:5,7625.45%580
132Hart91:5,7622.08%243
132Arnold91:5,7621.30%155
132Wyatt91:5,7625.77%610
132Gough91:5,7621.51%174
132Drew91:5,7623.01%353
132Warburton91:5,7628.18%848
132Cotton91:5,76211.54%1,168
132Moon91:5,7627.09%753
132Bright91:5,7623.77%428
132Lomas91:5,76237.50%3,160
132Strong91:5,7628.49%873
132Pattinson91:5,76233.33%2,880
132Jervis91:5,7623.45%393
132Dakin91:5,76234.62%2,968
132Powel91:5,7628.57%882
132Whitington91:5,76245.00%3,652
132Moris91:5,76226.47%2,397
132Anwyl91:5,7627.89%821
132Carsley91:5,76232.14%2,800
132Symond91:5,76256.25%4,293
132Spoonley91:5,76236.00%3,061
132Meredyth91:5,76290.00%6,008
158Russell81:6,4821.37%180
158Stevens81:6,4821.41%184
158Howard81:6,4822.04%279
158Pearce81:6,4820.77%104
158Stevenson81:6,48213.11%1,467
158Harper81:6,4822.50%336
158Walters81:6,4820.21%40
158Griffin81:6,4822.33%320
158Jarvis81:6,4821.83%240
158Fleming81:6,4825.97%704
158Barrow81:6,4827.77%907
158Harries81:6,4820.17%35
158Hickman81:6,48219.05%2,016
158Land81:6,48240.00%3,652
158Astin81:6,482100.00%7,186
158Byatt81:6,48266.67%5,289
158Hooson81:6,4826.56%768
158Kellow81:6,48250.00%4,293
158Howel81:6,48213.56%1,512
158Willams81:6,48213.56%1,512
158Bollom81:6,482100.00%7,186
158Fosse81:6,482100.00%7,186
158Humphys81:6,48234.78%3,286
158Mredith81:6,48253.33%4,503
182Walker71:7,4080.98%149
182Hill71:7,4080.34%54
182Cook71:7,4080.62%99
182Hunt71:7,4081.00%152
182Watts71:7,4080.53%81
182Reed71:7,4080.84%131
182Gregory71:7,4080.95%146
182Freeman71:7,4082.20%339
182Herbert71:7,4080.59%91
182Hope71:7,4084.19%572
182Cain71:7,40815.56%1,900
182Latham71:7,4085.74%768
182Carroll71:7,4085.93%791
182Hamer71:7,4080.67%103
182Gosling71:7,40818.92%2,234
182Millward71:7,4083.66%513
182Bowyer71:7,4089.86%1,271
182Fenn71:7,40838.89%3,963
182Peake71:7,4085.34%726
182Matthew71:7,40813.46%1,677
182Merchant71:7,4083.52%493
182Carrol71:7,40812.28%1,557
182Dowsett71:7,40877.78%6,522
182Cunnington71:7,40863.64%5,610
182Disley71:7,40835.00%3,652
182Kelland71:7,40850.00%4,740
182Purslow71:7,40853.85%5,000
182Chart71:7,40858.33%5,289
182Huges71:7,40820.00%2,341
182Wayne71:7,40830.43%3,286
182Edworthy71:7,40818.42%2,182
182Oswell71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Dauncey71:7,40830.43%3,286
182Bithel71:7,4089.21%1,193
182Kyffin71:7,40810.77%1,387
182Hartnup71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Fennah71:7,40821.88%2,509
182Bodden71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Tickel71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Humpreys71:7,40853.85%5,000
182Rouland71:7,40858.33%5,289
182Houghes71:7,40887.50%7,186
182Phillipp71:7,40863.64%5,610
182Hovendon71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Griphithes71:7,408100.00%8,079
182Pritchared71:7,408100.00%8,079