CARDIGANSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
About Cardiganshire.
Cardiganshire (in Welsh - Ceredigion) is a bilingual County in West Wales,UK. Everybody speaks English and over 60% of the population speaks Welsh. Following the recent dissolution of the large administrative county of Dyfed, the historic county of Cardiganshire was reinstated with county status under the ancient name of Ceredigion.In the 19th century and earlier Cardiganshire's economy was based on farming, seafaring, and metal mining . Harsh economic conditions meant that many individuals and families left the county for other parts of the UK and overseas. Their descendants are now living in most of the English-speaking world . There are strong connections between Cardiganshire and parts of north America ; in particular,Pennsylvania,Ohio,Wisconsin,and Minnesota.
About the Society.
Cardiganshire Family History Society was formed in 1995 and is fortunate to be administered by some very experienced family historians. It is privileged to have as its President Dr Michael Powell Siddons,Wales Herald Extraordinary, and there is a small but enthusiastic Committee. The membership of the Society has grown substantially during its short existence,and it holds regular meetings, generally monthly, in Sept.to June incl, at which a wide range of speakers are present. An attractive and informative Journal is produced three times a year,and a number of transcription and other projects are being undertaken in which members participate. The Society employs no professional staff and all work is carried out by volunteers. Cardiganshire FHS is a member of the Federation of Family History Societies.Although the Society covers the whole of the county,at present its main activities are centred on the town of Aberystwyth,in the north of the county, where it has the tremendous advantage of access to all the resources of the National Library of Wales as well as those of the County Record Office, both being located in the town.
The Society has the three-fold aim of :-
- catering for the needs of those from Wales, the UK, and overseas, researching their Cardiganshire ancestors.
- providing a local focus for those researching their ancestors in other areas.
- encouraging and assisting complete beginners.
Courses in Family History.
Leading members of the Society teach at the annual week-long residential courses in Family History organised by the Dept. of Continuing Education,University of Wales,Aberystwyth,10/11 Laura Place,Aberystwyth, Ceredigion,SY23 2AU. Full details can be obtained from the Society or the Dept.Sale of Publications.All Publications of the Federation of Family History Societies are available through the Society. The Society is participating in the FFHS scheme for the compilation of a National Burials Index and the current Federation CD-ROM contains data for a substantial number of Cardiganshire burials in every parish in the county.
Microfiches are currently available with burial entries for 1813-1837, 1838-1865 and 1866-1920 taken from the registers for all parishes in the county. For details go to this page. More burial information for other dates will be published on microfiche as data becomes available. Society members have undertaken a number of memorial transcription projects at various churches and chapels in North Cardiganshire and these are being published at intervals.
Research Facility.
The Society is able to offer a limited search service to members only through the services of an experienced voluntary Search Officer. An initial enquiry may be made, and details of charges obtained, by email to <search@cgnfhs.org.uk> but enquirers must be prepared to correspond subsequently by post.Annual Membership Fees
Year 2009. Pounds sterling. Individual. £8.00 (UK & EU only) ; Family. £10.00 (partners and non-adult children at the same address) ; Overseas. £11.00 (other than EU residents) ; UK Institutions. £8.00 (minimum,depending on number of copies of Journal required); Student. £6.00 (under 25 and in full-time education).Overseas Institutions - price on application.The membership year runs from 1st Jan - 31st Dec and whenever you join you are entitled to the full number of Journals for the year.
Applications for Membership.
U.K.Residents and Institutions. please printApplication Form and forward direct to:-Menna H Evans, Hon.Sec.,Cardiganshire FHS, Adran Casgliadau, c/o National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, Wales, U.K.
Overseas Residents and Institutions are able to pay for subscriptions,goods and services by credit card in their own currency. To do this, go now to the Genfair website. Browse the List of Suppliers, visit the Cardiganshire FHS stall and click on Contents. This is a simple, quick and secure method and brings a rapid response.
Emails on general topics may be sent to <sec@cgnfhs.org.uk>.Specific sales enquiries should be sent to <sales@cgnfhs.org.uk>. Any snailmail enquiries must be accompanied by an A4 SAE within the UK or 2 IRCs from abroad.