Local & Family History

If you are researching your Family Tree or interested in the history of your area, then Merthyr Libraries can help.

Merthyr Tydfil Public Library Service has an extensive Local History Collection which includes books, photographs, newspapers,documents and maps, while the Family History section provides a wide range of books which can help you gain skills and a better understanding of what life was like for your ancestors.

There are also services such as A3 printing & scanning and knowledgeable staff on hand to help you in your local history research.

family hiostory photo on display at museum

Family History

Are you curious about your family’s history? Ever wondered where your ancestors came from?

Merthyr Libraries can help!

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Local History

Merthyr Tydfil Public Library Service has an extensive Local History Collection

Click Here

History Volunteers

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help us with this fascinating role.

Click Here

Family History

Are you curious about your family’s history?

Ever wonder where your ancestor came from?

Merthyr Libraries can help!

As well as a wide range of local & family history books which can help you gain skills and a better understanding of what life was like for your ancestors, Merthyr Libraries provides FREE in-house access to the following internationally recognised Genealogy Services:

Ancestry Library Edition

The world’s most popular online genealogy resource, includes censuses, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, trade directories, gazetteers and more!

Click here to review the resource

Find My Past

Extensive sources including birth records, census data

Click here to visit this external webiste, opens in a new window

Useful Family Tree resources

Click here for some useful tips on researching your family tree.

Local History

Merthyr Tydfil Public Library Service has an extensive Local History Collection which includes:

Copies of Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers for many churches in Merthyr Tydfil.
Census Returns and Personal Name Indexes for Merthyr Tydfil in ten year intervals between 1841 & 1901.
Monumental Inscription Indexes
Published indexes by the Glamorgan Family History Society
Early Voter’s Lists & Electoral Registers for Merthyr Tydfil. Note: There are large gaps in the sequences.
Merthyr Express (Merthyr Edition) & other early Merthyr Tydfil newspapers on microfilm from 1864.
Access to the British Newspaper Archive from all of our FREE to access Library PCs
Early Ordnance Survey maps for the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough & other historical maps.
Early County directories for Glamorganshire
Extensive collection of local photographs

We also have the following services to help you with your research:

A3 scanner to digitise old family photos and other memorabilia
A3 printer and laminator for family trees and charts
Wide range of local & family history books which can help you gain skills and a better understanding of what life was like for your ancestors
Staff members on hand to answer your questions

If you are unable to visit in person, research may be undertaken on your behalf. There is a charge for this service, please contact us on library.services@wellbeingmerthyr.co.uk or 01685 725258 for details.

History Volunteers

With such a large number of photographs and documents in our Local History collection, we are always on the lookout for volunteers to help us with the categorisation, identification and digitisation of our collection. If you feel that you, or someone that you know is in a position to help out then we’d love to hear about it. Contact us on library.services@wellbeingmerthyr.co.uk or on 01685 725258 to discuss our volunteer opportunities in more detail.