Pembrokeshire Genealogical Records

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Baptisms (1601-1911)

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.

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.

British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

An index to births registered to British Army personal at home and abroad.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Marriages (1599-1928)

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.

Pembrokeshire 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.

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.

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Burials (1592-1999)

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.

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.

British Army Death Index (1796-2005)

An index to deaths of British Army personal at home and abroad.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Hearth Tax (1670)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

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.

Newspapers Covering Pembrokeshire

Publications of The South Wales Record Society (1987-1994)

A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.

Journal of The Pembrokeshire Historical Society (1985-2005)

An annual English-language local history journal with academic and general articles on historical and archaeological topics.

The Pembrokeshire Historian (1959-1981)

An annual English-language local history journal with academic and general articles on historical and archaeological topics.

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.

South Wales Daily Post (1893-1910)

2,700 fully searchable editions of a conservative newspaper. It contained local news, family announcements, sports etc.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Taxation Records

Pembrokeshire Hearth Tax (1670)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

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.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory, South Wales (1923)

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.

Kelly's Directory, South Wales (1910)

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.

Kelly's Directory, South Wales (1901)

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.

Kelly's Directory, South Wales (1895)

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.

Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire & S Wales (1895)

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.

Pembrokeshire Cemeteries

Pembrokeshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Pembrokeshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

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.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Histories & Books

Publications of The South Wales Record Society (1987-1994)

A journal publishing historical sources relating to South Wales, with introductory texts, indexes and illustrations.

Journal of The Pembrokeshire Historical Society (1985-2005)

An annual English-language local history journal with academic and general articles on historical and archaeological topics.

The Pembrokeshire Historian (1959-1981)

An annual English-language local history journal with academic and general articles on historical and archaeological topics.

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.

Pembrokeshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire 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.

Pembrokeshire Occupation & Business Records

Swansea Gazette & Daily Shipping Register (1909-1910)

A liberal newspaper that predominantly covered mercantile and shipping matters. It did not contain family announcements. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

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.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Pembrokeshire

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.

Pembrokeshire Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Pembrokeshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Pembrokeshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

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.

Pembrokeshire Church Records

Pembrokeshire Parish Registers (1592-1999)

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 Pembrokeshire

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.

Pembrokeshire Maps

Maps of Pembrokeshire (1627-1922)

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.

Pembrokeshire 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

Pembrokeshire is the most western country in South Wales. It is bounded on the northwest by Cardigan Bay, on the northeast by the county of Cardigan, on the east by the county of Carmarthen, on the south by the Bristol Channel, and on the west by the Irish Sea. It is called by the Welsh, Dyved or Diametia, and Penvro, or the Headland. Its extent, from north to south, is about 35 miles, and from east to west 29; comprehending about 35,600 acres. It is divided into seven hundreds, containing seven towns, and 145 parishes. It is in the province of Canterbury, and diocese of St. David. The surface is, for the most part, composed of swells, or easy slopes, but not mountainous, except a ridge of hills, which runs from the coast, near Fisgard, to the borders of Caermarthenshire. These hills are called the mountains, and the people distinguish the country with reference to the hills; the north side being called above the mountains, and the south side below.

The county is well watered by springs rising in the slopes, so as to give a convenient supply to the adjacent lands in general; but some parts of the coast are in want of water in the summer season, particularly where limestone is found at a moderate depth. The climate is temperate, and it rarely happens that frost continues with severity for any considerable time; nor does snow lie long upon the ground, but generally dissolves the second or third day after its fall. The prevailing state of the air is moist; and there is, probably, more rain here than in any other part of the kingdom, owing to the insular situation, and the high mountains of Caermarthenshire and Breconshire, lying eastward, which stop the current of the clouds brought by the westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean, and occasion thereby torrents of rain to descend in Pembrokeshire whenever those winds prevail. Woods are rather scarce; particularly towards the western coast. The interior part of the country is better wooded, but the growth is for the most part slow, and the oak remarkably full of heart. The commerce of this county is very trifling, and cannot be said to Lave any influence on its agriculture, unless we allow the exportation of coin when it is cheap, and the importation when it is dear, to be commerce. Upon the occasion of the arrival of some respectable persons at Milford, a few years since as settlers there, some enquiry after the people, called the Welsh Indians, was excited, and the following account of their origin was referred to: On the death of Owen Gwynedd, prince of North Wales, in 1170, there arose an alarming contention about the succession to the principality between his sons, which involved Wales for some years in a civil war. But Madaog, being of a more pacific disposition than his brothers, perceiving his inability to terminate this hostile disposition, determined to try his fortune abroad, therefore left Wales in a very unsettled condition, and sailed with a small fleet, which he had prepared for the purpose, to the westward, leaving Ireland upon the north, till he came to an unknown country, where most things appeared to him new, and the manners of the natives different to what he had been accustomed to see in Europe. This country, says the learned H. Llwyd, must have been some part of that vast continent, of which the Spaniards, since Hanno's time, boast themselves to be the first discoverers, and which, by the order of Cosmography, seems to be some-part of Nova Hispania or Florida, therefore it is evident that this country was discovered by the Britons near 329 years before the time of Columbus, or Americus Vesputius.

After divesting the subsequent part of some absurd traditions, it is manifest, says the same author, that Madawg, on his arrival, seeing the fertility and pleasantness of this new country, thought it expedient to invite more of his countrymen out of Britain, therefore left those he had brought with him, and returned for Wales.

Having arrived, he began to acquaint his friends with what a fair and extensive land he had met with, and void of inhabitants, while they at home employed their time and skill to supplant one another for a small portion of rugged rocks and sterile mountains, therefore recommended them to exchange their present state of dangers and continual warfare for one with more peace and enjoyment. By such persuasion he procured a considerable number of Welsh to emigrate with him, so gave a final adieu to his native country, and sailed back with ten ships. It is supposed that Madawg and his people inhabited part of that country, since called Florida, as the inhabitants were Christians, and worshipped the cross, before the arrival of the Spaniards, as appears by Francis Loves and Acusanus, authors of no small reputation. The learned Dr. Powell conjectures Madawg landed in a part of Mexico, for the Spanish chronicles of the conquest of the West Indies, record a tradition of the inhabitants of that country,—that their rulers descended from a strange nation, and came there from a foreign country, which was confessed by King Montezuma, in a speech at his submission to the King of Castile, before Hernando Cortez, the Spanish general. As an additional testimony, many British words might be produced, and names of places, as, Gorando, to listen; a certain bird called Penguin; the island of Cooroso, Cape Bryton, river Gwyndor, and the white rocks of Pengwyn, Avhich manifestly shew it to have been inhabited by Madawg and his Britons. An additional proof is: The purport of a letter, to Dr. Jones of Hammersmith, from his brother in America.

In the year 1797, a Welsh tradesman on the river Monangahala, near Petersburg, went down the Ohio, and from thence up the Mississippi to within sixty miles of the Missouri, to a town called Mazores.

In the month of April, as he chanced to be out among some Indians, he overheard two conversing about some skins they had to sell or exchange, and from a word or two, conceived their language to be Welsh; he listened for a few minutes, and became convinced, though much corrupted from its primitive purity.

Notwithstanding, he resolved to endeavour to converse with them, and to his great astonishment, found themselves mutually understood, with the exception of some words either original, or obsolete in Wales. He describes them to be of a robust stature, and dressed from head to foot, in the skins of some animals, but no kind of shirt. Their complexion was of a copper colour, similar to other Indians, with strong black hair, but no beard, except about the mouth.

By them he understood they came from a long way up the Missouri, and had been about three months coming to the place where he found them. In consequence of the preceding, John Evans, a young man, well acquainted with the language, has been in quest of the Welsh Indians, but without success, not having penetrated more than 900 miles up the Missouri before compelled to return, in consequence of a war among the natives. It is conjectured that our Cambro-Indians inhabit a territory nearly 1800 or 2000 miles up that river. A second trial was meditated, but before executed John Evans died, consequently no new discovery has been attempted. A great number of additional particulars, however, are constantly received, proving the existence of the Welsh Indians.

The principal river is the Cleddau, east and west, which, rising in the northern part, unite at a small distance from Milford Haven.

It sends three members to the Imperial parliament, viz. one for the county, and two for the towns of Pembroke and Haverfordwest.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

Parliamentary Representation of Pembrokeshire

MEMBERS ELECTED 1895.

Pembrokeshire formerly returned two members, but under the provisions of the “Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885,” the number was reduced to one, and the Haverfordwest district of boroughs was added to the Pembroke district.

Pembrokeshire County Police

Head quarters, Haverfordwest.

The force consists of a chief constable, 3 superintendents, 1 inspector, 11 sergeants & 50 constables. Chief Constable, Thomas Ince Webb Bowen.

County Councils of South Wales

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

Under the above Act, after the 1st April, 1889, for the purposes of the Act, each of the counties above mentioned, except certain boroughs for which see below (a), became a separate and distinct administrative county (sec. 461-b) governed by a County Council, consisting of chairman, aldermen and councillors (the number of councillors determined by the Local Government Board), and elected in manner prescribed by the Act (sec. 2).

The chairman of each council, by virtue of his office, is justice of the peace for the county, without qualification (sec. 46).

The police for each county is 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 each 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 each county is clerk of the County Council (sec. 83—1 ).

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

(a) The following large boroughs shall for the purposes of this Act be administrative counties, to be called County Boroughs (sec. 30), of which the municipal authority has the power of a County Council (sec. 31)-Cardiff and Swansea.

Kelly's Directory of South Wales (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Pembrokeshire

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wales
1Davies4,7411:264.25%2
2Thomas3,6161:345.09%5
3Jones3,2321:381.89%1
4Williams2,8631:432.59%3
5Evans2,8251:443.81%4
6James2,1821:578.74%13
7Lewis2,0501:605.12%7
8Phillips1,9541:6310.23%19
9Griffiths1,7451:715.92%10
10John1,5191:8214.74%27
11Morgan1,4811:844.31%9
12Rees1,2911:965.25%14
13Jenkins1,1591:1075.70%16
14Smith1,1311:1104.41%12
15Edwards1,0631:1173.77%11
16Harries1,0281:12124.79%69
17Hughes1,0221:1212.76%8
18Morris1,0051:1235.17%18
19Richards7961:1564.89%20
20Roberts7251:1711.57%6
21Owen6911:1793.20%15
22Lloyd6191:2004.17%21
23Price5141:2412.59%17
24Brown5121:2424.53%26
25Bowen5031:2467.92%35
25Howells5031:2466.26%29
27George4391:28210.14%63
28Taylor4241:2923.27%22
29Mathias4161:29830.68%245
30Rogers4141:2995.76%31
31Llewellyn3671:3387.75%53
31Reynolds3671:3389.64%77
33Bevan3631:3417.22%50
34Nicholas3581:34613.52%110
35Allen3561:3487.58%56
35Cole3561:34811.10%85
37Harris3391:3652.61%22
37Wilson3391:3655.58%39
39Walters3161:3926.23%48
40Vaughan3031:4097.21%67
41Johnson2771:4474.36%35
42Mason2651:4678.94%95
43White2641:4694.23%38
44Powell2541:4882.06%25
45Young2521:4925.41%58
46Thompson2451:5065.50%60
46Watts2451:5068.12%92
48Adams2411:5145.71%65
49Scourfield2391:51838.61%543
50Lawrence2371:5238.76%106
50Owens2371:5235.47%62
52Hill2181:5683.34%32
52Wright2181:5684.38%51
54Clark2151:5766.19%84
55Martin2071:5983.66%41
56Francis2011:6164.28%57
56Webb2011:6165.65%80
58King2001:6194.90%72
59Clarke1981:6263.60%43
59Robinson1981:6264.20%55
61Hall1901:6523.94%52
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Wales
1Davies6,6271:146.51%3
2Thomas5,9711:158.41%4
3Evans4,0041:235.67%5
4Williams3,8151:243.59%2
5James3,0271:3015.33%13
6Griffiths2,9451:3111.69%10
7Lewis2,7441:337.45%7
8Phillips2,7101:3418.81%18
9Jones2,5731:351.48%1
10John2,3601:3923.74%22
11Rees1,9151:488.49%12
12Morris1,7711:5211.10%17
13Harries1,7341:5335.88%35
14Jenkins1,5551:598.18%14
15Morgan1,3211:694.91%9
16Edwards1,0771:854.56%11
17Richards1,0711:857.71%19
18Bowen8941:10214.64%29
19Mathias7621:12053.40%76
20Lloyd7611:1205.50%20
21George7271:12620.17%45
22Howells7211:12712.47%31
23Morgans6751:13510.58%28
24Owens6531:1407.20%24
25Owen6161:1483.81%16
25Nicholas6161:14829.03%52
27Hughes6111:1491.70%8
28Roberts5071:1801.12%6
29Cole4561:20034.00%79
30Adams4431:20623.60%60
31Price4271:2142.63%15
32Llewellyn4201:21713.51%47
33Smith4091:2235.87%26
34Reynolds4031:22723.09%64
35Beynon3851:23719.89%57
36Rogers3801:2409.32%37
37Brown3761:2439.99%41
38Allen3731:24521.40%65
39Stephens3551:25712.30%49
40Francis3461:2649.21%42
41Harris3391:2694.39%25
42Vaughan3371:27111.02%48
43Gwyther3111:29479.34%280
44Powell2981:3063.24%23
45Eynon2941:31041.88%150
46Johns2651:34420.18%82
47Rowlands2541:3594.83%33
48Walters2321:3936.08%40
49Warlow2281:40064.59%313
50Morse2201:41546.41%225
51Watts2161:42316.40%81
52Howell2101:4358.85%50
53Watkins2041:4473.17%27
54Llewellin2031:45059.88%322
55Bevans1901:48086.76%460
56Roch1821:50286.67%476
57Gibby1731:52862.01%375
58Young1711:53414.27%90
58Picton1711:53445.12%290
60Waters1601:57114.35%101
61Bateman1551:58935.96%244
62Parry1491:6131.17%21
63Lawrence1471:62118.87%142
64Perkins1431:63815.04%112
65Rowe1421:64321.98%165
66Davis1411:6473.83%43
66Phelps1411:64732.41%241
68Collins1381:6617.46%61
68Palmer1381:66114.82%114
70White1371:6667.08%57
71Martin1351:6768.29%72
71Roach1351:67626.52%201
73Webb1331:68611.84%100
73Bevan1331:6863.62%44
75Hall1321:69210.19%83
75Devonald1321:69267.69%499
77Scourfield1291:70845.42%370
78Saunders1261:72410.25%87
79Mason1171:78012.50%113
79Merriman1171:78068.82%565
81Miles1111:8226.51%67
81Hay1111:82261.33%533
81Wilcox1111:82224.50%231
84Griffith1101:8301.89%30
84Hitchings1101:83036.79%353
86Taylor1081:8453.47%46
87Beddoe1071:85336.27%356
88Hill981:9314.75%54
88Charles981:9316.32%74
90Nash971:94119.68%212
90Brace971:94124.31%276
92Sutton961:95126.52%309
93Hancock951:96117.53%194
94Miller931:98214.29%162
95Codd921:99270.77%731
96Moore901:1,0147.91%97
97Page871:1,04927.53%342
98Banner861:1,06175.44%821
99Hooper831:1,10016.24%199
99Goodridge831:1,10064.34%737
101Daniel821:1,1134.06%55
101Gibbon821:1,11312.65%163
103Bennett811:1,1274.87%69
104Mills801:1,1416.48%86
105Raymond791:1,15542.02%520
106Havard781:1,17013.76%185
107Gwynne771:1,18519.11%273
107Ormond771:1,18577.00%932
107Llewhellin771:1,18595.06%1,123
110Hicks761:1,20112.14%170
110Rowland761:1,2016.53%94
112Absalom731:1,25054.89%712
113Peters721:1,2687.81%117
113Luke721:1,26832.73%457
113Roblin721:1,26845.28%600
113Noot721:1,26881.82%1,046
117Reed711:1,2868.52%131
117Hire711:1,28695.95%1,227
119Cousins701:1,30426.12%385
119Child701:1,30457.38%768
119Folland701:1,30472.92%975
119Reynish701:1,30458.82%783
123Salmon691:1,32331.65%462
123Dawkins691:1,32336.32%517
123Philpin691:1,32374.19%1,002
126Wilson681:1,3425.34%84
127Butler671:1,3628.68%143
127Canton671:1,36278.82%1,079
129Wilkins651:1,4049.08%148
129Gwilliam651:1,40437.36%554
131Higgon641:1,42671.11%1,032
131Narbett641:1,42685.33%1,213
133Tucker631:1,4495.16%88
134Johnson621:1,4724.54%77
134Cook621:1,4725.52%99
136Robinson611:1,4966.96%124
136Thompson611:1,4966.82%121
136Herbert611:1,4965.12%91
139Clarke581:1,5744.81%89
139Lamb581:1,57419.02%351
139Rossiter581:1,57443.28%704
139Michael581:1,5747.85%145
139Jinkins581:1,57448.74%783
144Vaughn571:1,60117.59%332
145Purser561:1,63093.33%1,495
145Hurlow561:1,63070.00%1,139
147Childs551:1,66030.73%538
147Gay551:1,66020.07%379
147Tasker551:1,66031.98%559
147Prout551:1,66046.22%783
147Skyrme551:1,66057.29%975
152Richard541:1,6905.55%109
152Prickett541:1,69054.00%932
152Skone541:1,690100.00%1,617
155Protheroe531:1,7229.03%179
155Howels531:1,72253.54%942
155Sinnett531:1,72267.95%1,168
158Gunter521:1,75516.99%350
159Ellis511:1,7900.98%34
159Russell511:1,7908.76%180
159Wheeler511:1,79011.33%233
159Nicholls511:1,7909.44%196
159Rosser511:1,7903.08%70
159Symmons511:1,79078.46%1,387
159Parcell511:1,79063.75%1,139
159Scale511:1,79072.86%1,290
167Pugh491:1,8631.16%36
167Mabe491:1,86381.67%1,495
169Ladd481:1,90264.00%1,213
170Mortimer471:1,94225.82%531
170Phillip471:1,94212.81%302
172Brinn461:1,98492.00%1,723
173William451:2,0295.36%129
173Scurlock451:2,02950.00%1,032
175Edmonds441:2,0759.34%226
175Cadogan441:2,07537.61%798
177Twigg431:2,12353.75%1,139
177Cozens431:2,12381.13%1,646
177Llewelyn431:2,1235.24%135
177Woolcock431:2,12340.95%882
177Morries431:2,12332.33%712
182Green421:2,1732.75%75
182Hart421:2,1739.72%243
182Berry421:2,17310.85%282
182Bryant421:2,1735.11%134
182Furlong421:2,17338.89%864
182Philipps421:2,17360.87%1,304
188Payne411:2,2265.62%147
188Thorne411:2,22615.77%395
188Philips411:2,2267.58%195
188Shears411:2,22659.42%1,304
188Voyle411:2,22636.61%834
193Freeman401:2,28212.58%339
193Edward401:2,2829.83%267
193Hopla401:2,28293.02%1,977
196Dunn391:2,3416.54%173
196Arnold391:2,3415.64%155
196Leach391:2,34118.22%467
196Tudor391:2,3417.72%204
196Laugharne391:2,34181.25%1,788