Montgomeryshire Family History Records

Montgomeryshire Genealogical Records

Birth & Baptism

Montgomeryshire Birth & Baptism Records

Searchable database
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.

Finding aid
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.

Searchable database
British Army Birth Index (1761-2005)

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

Searchable database
Birth Notices from The Times (1983-2003)

An index to over 100,000 birth and christening notices from The London Times.

Searchable database
Non-conformist Baptisms (1567-1858)

An index connected to original images of non-conformist (other than Church of England) baptism registers from throughout England & Wales. If you cannot find your ancestors in Anglican baptism registers, you may find them among these records.

Marriage & Divorce

Montgomeryshire Marriage & Divorce Records

Searchable database
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.

Finding aid
England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2005)

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.

Searchable database
British Army Marriage Index (1796-2005)

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

Searchable database
Marriage Notices from The Times (1982-2004)

An index to over 80,000 marriage and engagement notices from The London Times.

Searchable database
Gretna Green Marriage Registers (1794-1895)

A full name index connected to original images of the marriage registers of Gretna Green, Scotland. These registers contain thousands of records for couples from England and Wales who interloped to the Scottish borders to circumvent laws governing marriages in England and Wales.

Death & Burial

Montgomeryshire Death & Burial Records

Searchable database
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.

Finding aid
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.

Searchable database
British Army Death Index (1796-2005)

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

Searchable database
Jewish Online Worldwide Burial Registry (1550-Present)

A searchable database of over 1 million Jewish burials with photographs of the matzevot.

Searchable database
Death Notices from The Times (1982-1988)

An index to over 54,000 death notices and obituaries from The London Times.

Church

Montgomeryshire Church Records

Searchable database
Montgomeryshire Parish Registers (1574-1993)

The primary source of documentation for baptisms, marriages and burials before 1837, though useful to the present also.

Searchable database
Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Searchable database
Journal of Welsh Religious History (1993-2004)

An English-language journal containing academic articles, reviews and news relating to the history of Christianity in Wales.

Searchable database
The Journal of Welsh Ecclesiastical History (1984-1992)

The Journal of Welsh Ecclesiastical History was an annual English-language journal containing academic articles and book reviews on Christianity in Wales. It was published from 1984 to 1992, when it became the Journal of Welsh Religious History.

Searchable database
Bathafarn (1946-2003)

The journal of the Historical Society of the Methodist Church in Wales.

Census & Population Lists

Montgomeryshire Census & Population Lists

Montgomeryshire Hearth Tax (1664-1665)

A transcript of records naming those who had a tax levied for the privilege of owning a hearth. Ordered by hundred.

Searchable database
Wales 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census gives details on 2.5 million people living in Wales in 1911. Details include, age, birthplace, occupation, relationships to others, disabilities, spoken languages and more. Each person is indexed and linked to images of the original schedules.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Wales 1901 Census (1901)

The 1901 census gives details on 2 million people living in Wales in 1901. Details include, age, birthplace, occupation, relationships to others, disabilities, spoken languages and more. Each person is indexed and linked to images of the original schedules.

Searchable database
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.

Wills & Probate

Montgomeryshire Wills & Probate Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (Subscription) (1384-1858)

An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.

Finding aid
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.

Newspapers

Newspapers Covering Montgomeryshire

Searchable database
Montgomeryshire Collections (1902-1942)

A journal containing scholarly articles on Montgomeryshire archaeology, history and genealogy.

Searchable database
North Wales Chronicle (1827-1900)

A newspaper covering the counties of North Wales. Contains numerous notices recording births, marriages, deaths and obituaries.

Searchable database
Y Genedl Cymreig (1877-1900)

A national Welsh newspaper in both the English and Welsh languages. It covered politics with a liberal bias, music, theatre and family announcements.

Searchable database
Pall Mall Gazette (1865-1900)

A gentleman's magazine published in London, but covering news from all England, Wales and further afield.

Searchable database
Baner ac Amserau Cymru (1857-1900)

A Welsh language newspaper covering Wales, but in particular North Wales. Contains many articles relevant to family historians, such as family announcements.

Obituaries

Montgomeryshire Obituaries

Searchable database
iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

Finding aid
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Cemeteries

Montgomeryshire Cemeteries

Searchable database
Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Directories & Gazetteers

Montgomeryshire Directories & Gazetteers

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Pigot's Directory of North Wales (1844)

Pigot's is a directory briefly detailing the history, topography, amenities and postal service of settlements in North Wales. It also lists the occupation & addresses of commercial, private and professional residents of each town.

Court & Legal
Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Licences of Parole for Female Convicts (1853-1887)

Details on the parole and revocation thereof, of over 4,400 female prisoners.

Searchable database
Perry's Bankrupt Gazette (1828-1867)

A publication giving brief details of bankruptcies, including the names of parties and companies involed.

Searchable database
Chancery Proceedings, Bridges Division (1613-1714)

Abstracts of 17th and 18th century chancery bills and answers. Details listed are: plaintiffs, defendants, details on the dispute and where the proceedings were held.

Taxation

Montgomeryshire Taxation Records

Montgomeryshire Hearth Tax (1664-1665)

A transcript of records naming those who had a tax levied for the privilege of owning a hearth. Ordered by hundred.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Finding aid
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.

Finding aid
Index to the Royalist Composition Papers (A-F) (1646-1656)

Index to personal names listed in the Royalist Composition Papers that dealt with the estates of royalists.

Land & Property

Montgomeryshire Land & Property Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
NLW Manuscript Transcripts (1200-2000)

A searchable database of thousands of transcribed and abstracted manuscripts, largely pertaining to land.

Searchable database
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.

Finding aid
Index to the Royalist Composition Papers (A-F) (1646-1656)

Index to personal names listed in the Royalist Composition Papers that dealt with the estates of royalists.

Occupations & Business

Montgomeryshire Occupation & Business Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Schools & Education

Montgomeryshire School & Education Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Official List of Registered Teachers (1917)

A directory of registered teachers – their current school and date of registration. Also contains details on officers and operations of the Teachers Registration Council.

Searchable database
Beeton's Dictionary of Universal Biography (6000 BC-1879)

A collection of biographies (some with portraits) from throughout the world.

Pedigrees & Family Trees

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Montgomeryshire

Searchable database
The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire (1540-1639)

Biographies of Montgomeryshire sheriffs with much information on their families and arms. Also contains detail on deputy sheriffs.

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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry

Montgomeryshire Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Searchable database
The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire (1540-1639)

Biographies of Montgomeryshire sheriffs with much information on their families and arms. Also contains detail on deputy sheriffs.

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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
The General Armory of Britain and Ireland (1884)

A dictionary of British & Irish coats of arms.

Military

Montgomeryshire Military Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Immigration & Travel

Montgomeryshire Immigration & Travel Records

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Aliens Entry Books (1794-1921)

An un-indexed collection of over 100,000 documents of correspondence and other documents of the Home Office and the Aliens Office. Contains a great deal of information on aliens and those who applied for naturalisation.

Histories

Montgomeryshire Histories & Books

Searchable database
Montgomeryshire Collections (1902-1942)

A journal containing scholarly articles on Montgomeryshire archaeology, history and genealogy.

Searchable database
The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire (1540-1639)

Biographies of Montgomeryshire sheriffs with much information on their families and arms. Also contains detail on deputy sheriffs.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
UK & Ireland Historical Postcards (1885-1950)

Over 19,000 postcards depicting places in the UK & Ireland.

Searchable database
A Vision of Britain (1190-Present)

A sprawling website setting out and describing the historical divisions of Britain. Also contains countless maps of various sorts. Covers the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & has fleeting details of other localities.

Biographies

Biographical Directories Covering Montgomeryshire

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Searchable database
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.

Searchable database
Chalmers' General Biographical Dictionary (1013-1812)

Detailed biographies of thousands of notable Europeans with details on ancestry.

Maps

Montgomeryshire Maps

Maps of Montgomeryshire (1610-1880)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

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.

Searchable database
A Vision of Britain (1190-Present)

A sprawling website setting out and describing the historical divisions of Britain. Also contains countless maps of various sorts. Covers the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & has fleeting details of other localities.

Maps of Wales (1574-1893)

Digital images of maps covering the country.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Reference

Montgomeryshire Reference Works

Wales Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Wages in England & Wales (1264-1980)

A comprehensive overview of wages in England & Wales from late medieval to modern times.

Searchable database
Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry (1200-1700)

A dictionary of words used in heraldry, supplemented with over 1,000 illustrations.

Book: On-line or in-print
How to Trace a Royal Descent (1066-1908)

A guide on how to trace your descent from English monarchs.

Montgomeryshire Historical Information & Demographics

Montgomeryshire Information

Montgomeryshire Historical Descriptions

Historical Description

Montgomeryshire is bounded on the north by Merionethshire and Denbighshire, on the north-east and east by Shropshire, the south by Cardiganshire and Radnorshire, likewise Cardiganshire, with a part of Merionethshire, on the west. It extends 40 miles in length, and 37 in breadth, and contains acres of land, having about 60, 000 arable, pasturage, and about 250, 000 uncultivated, including woodlands. It is divided into nine hundreds, viz. Cawrse, Deuddwr, Llanvyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Mathraval, Montgomery, Newtown, and Pool; containing 7 market-towns, 47 parishes, 9349 houses, and 51, 931 inhabitants. It sends two members to parliament, and lies in the dioceses of St. Asaph, Bangor, and Hereford.

The air is mild and salubrious, but the county is barren and mountainous in many parts, yet perhaps affords a greater variety of fertile vale and plain than most of our Welsh counties.

The riches of Montgomeryshire proceed from its sheep, wool, and flannels, with other coarse cloth manufactured from this annual produce; for the hills are almost entirely sheep-walks, while the farms, situate in small vallies, appear only appendages for their winter habitations and provision. The manufactures are collected through the county, once or twice a year, and sent to Welsh Pool, whence in a rough state they are carried to Shrewsbury, to be finished and exported; which, traffic Dyer describes thus:

The northern Cambrians, an industrious tribe, Carry their labours on Pygmean steeds,

Of size exceeding not Leicestrian sheep,

Yet strong and sprightly: over hill and dale They travel unfatigued, and lay their bales In Salop’s streets, beneath whose lofty walls Pearly Sabrina waits them with her barks,

And spreads the swelling sheet. Fleece.

This county also affords mineral treasures, particularly a rich lead-mine at Llanganog, in the northern angle, and near it a large slate quarry; but coals are no where to be found within the county, consequently the inhabitants are obliged to use wood or peat as a substitute. A considerable part, particularly the vallies and level tracts, are well-watered by many brooks and rivulets, and some rivers, of which the Severn is the principal; to these might be added some large streams, as the Firnwy and Taned, remarkable for a variety of fish, particularly salmon, which penetrate up the Severn almost to Plinlimmon.

Topography of Great Britain by George Alexander Cooke, written: 1802-29

MONTGOMERYSHIRE, an inland county of North Wales, is bounded on the south-east, east, and north-east by the county of Salop and a small detached portion of Denbighshire, on the north by Denbighshire, on the north-west and west by Merionethshire, on the southwest by Cardiganshire, and on the south by Radnorshire.

Montgomeryshire at the time of the Roman invasion was, in common with nearly all the rest of North Wales, included in the territory of the Ordovices; later, on the division of the sovereignty of North Wales towards the end of the ninth century, it formed part of the Kingdom of Powys; this kingdom, after the Norman Conquest, became an object of attack to the foreign adventurers, and one of them named Baldwyn, having partially subjected the district, built a fortress at the present town of Montgomery, then called by the Welsh “Tre Valdwyn,” or “Baldwyn’s Town”; the castle, however, appears to have soon fallen into the possession of the Welsh, since Roger de Montgomery entered Powys-land a few years later and took the castle and town of Tre Valdwyn, which he fortified anew and gave to it his own name of Montgomery, which it has ever since retained and communicated to the county.

The county is irregular in form and extends from Llyn Penrhaiadr, on the western border, to Hissington, near its eastern extremity, for a distance of 37 miles; the distance from Trinr-y-Sarn mountain, on the northern border, to Dirvel, at its southernmost point, is 36 miles; the total area is 510,111 acres. A great portion of the county consists of wild and sterile mountains. The Plinlimmon, or southern range of mountains, commences on the north-east with the Breidden hills, and includes the Long Mountains as far as Nant Cribba, and hence, by Montgomery, along the Kerry hills to the the Llangurig mountains, terminating with Plinlimmon, summit of which rises to an altitude of 2,463 feet; this is surrounded by various other heights of less elevation, of which the Biga mountains form a line of high tableland; the range extending from Plinlimmon northward between Llanbrynmair and Carno, and by Llyn Gwyddior into Merionethshire, forms the parting ridge between the rivers flowing eastward and those taking a contrary direction. The principal rivers are the Severn, with its tributaries the Vyrnwy and Tanat, all of which descend eastward from the mountain ridge running across the western part of the county, and the Dovey, flowing westward from the same ridge; the Wye also has its source on the southern side of Plinlimmon in this county, and pursuing a south-easterly course by Llangurig, enters Radnorshire south of that place. The Severn has its source on the eastern side of Plinlimmon, and, descending in a mountain torrent, it passes eastward through the narrow vale of Glyn Havren, being joined in its course by the small streams Backwy and Glaslyn, and also, near Llanidloes, by the Clywedog; thence, continuing to the north-east, it flows through Newtown, receiving the water of many small rivulets in its course, to Welshpool; and at Pool Quay, a little below that town, it becomes navigable, and, gradually assuming an easterly course, flows onward in a deep bed until, being joined from the north-west by the Vyrnwy, which rises in the vicinity of Bwlch-y-Vedwen, near the confines of Merionethshire, and its tributary the Tanat from the Berwyn mountains, it enters the county of Salop. The Dovey, descending from the foot of Arran Fowddwy, in Merionethshire, enters the county by Aber Angell, and flows in a south-westerly direction through a valley to Machynlleth, when it forms the western boundary of the county, which it wholly quits on being joined by a small stream from the heights around Plinlimmon. The Montgomeryshire canal enters the county north of Llandysilio, and proceeds along the Severn valley to Welshpool, and thence by Berriew and Garthmill to Newtown, where it terminates.

The railways in Montgomeryshire almost wholly form part of the Cambrian Company’s system; the main line enters the county at its north-eastern extremity, a short distance from Llanmynech station, on the confines of Salop, whence there is a branch westward to Llanfyllin by way of Llansaintffraid, Llanfechain, and Bryngwyn; the line takes a south-westerly direction, and is joined at Buttington, 2 ½ miles north-east of Welshpool by a joint line of the London and North-Western and Great Western railways from Shrewsbury to Welshpool; continuing from this place, in close proximity to the course of the river Severn through Montgomery Abermule (a short branch here to Kerry and Newtown), Moat Lane Junction is reached, when the railway sweeps to the north-west and passes through Caersws, Pontdolgoch, Carno, and Llanbrynmair to Cemmes road, the change-station for the Mawddwy railway, which runs northwards to Dinas Mawddwy, in Merionethshire; again taking a south-westerly direction the line runs through Machynlleth, and passes out of the county a short distance from Glan Dovey station. Machynlleth is the change-station for the Corris railway, and from Glan Dovey a branch runs to the seaside resorts of Aberytswith and Borth. From Moat Lane Junction a branch to the south passes through Llandinam, Dolwen, and Llanidloes into Radnorshire. The county of Montgomery is brought in direct communication with the systems of the London and North-Western and Great Western railways by the Shrewsbury and Welshpool joint line, which connects with the Cambrian railway at Buttington and Welshpool. The Corris railway is a narrow-gauge line from Machynlleth; it crosses the river Dovey into Merionethshire about a mile north of Machynlleth. The Mawddwy railway is a short line from Cemmes Road station on the Cambria.m.in line, running northwards through Cemmes and Aberangell, where it crosses into Merionethshire, to Dinas Mawddwy.

The principal commerce of Montgomeryshire is the manufacture of flannel, which is produced in great quantities, the trade being mostly confined to the middle and southern part of the county, where many carding and spinning mills have been established on the various rivers; the chief seat of the trade is Newtown.

Montgomeryshire contains 69 civil parishes with par of one other, and is partly in the dioceses of Bangor, Hereford, and St. Asaph. The portion in Bangor diocese is within the archdeaconry of Merioneth, and is in the rural deaneries of Arwystli, Cyfeiliog, and Estimaner. The portion in Hereford diocese is within the archdeaconry of Ludlow, and is in the rural deaneries of Clun, Pontesbury, and Montgomery. The portion in St. Asaph is within the archdeaconry of Montgomery, and in the rural deaneries of Coedwen, Caereinon, Llanfyllin, Oswestry, and Pool. 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 fourteen petty sessional divisions. The borough of Welshpool has a separate commission of the peace, but no separate court of quarter sessions. Welshpool is the seat of the assizes, and quarter sessions are held there alternately with Newtown. The municipal boroughs are: Llanfyllin, population in 1891, 1,753; Llanidloes, 2,574; Montgomery, 1,098; and Welshpool, 6,501. Other market towns are: Llanfair, Caereinion, Machynlleth, and Newtown.

The registration districts are:

NoNameAreaPopulation in 1891
613Machynlleth128,76410,826
614Newtown176,15721,722
615Forden89,73816,313
616Llanfyllin195,18718,436

Montgomery County Council

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

Under the above Act, Montgomeryshire, 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 Newtown.

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

CropsAcresLive StockNumbers
Corn & cereals44,467Horses used solely for agriculture7,281
Roots, cabbage, vetches & other green crops10,852Unbroken horses6,840
Clover & grasses28,812Brood mares1,488
Permanent pasture190,514Cows in milk or calf23,314
Bare fallow 1,445Other cattle, 2 years & above15,525
Market gardens15Other cattle, 1 year & under 217,717
Nursery grounds 34Other cattle, under 1 year 16,795
Orchards511Ewes kept for breeding136,364
Mountain & heathland100,880Other sheep, 1 year old & above123,842
Woods & plantations23,728Other sheep, under 1 year126,002
  Sows kept for breeding3,469
  Other pigs16,093
Slater's Directory of North and Mid Wales, written: 1895
Most Common Surnames in Montgomeryshire

Surnames Found in Montgomeryshire

RankSurnameNo. of People% of Population
1Jones912514.29
2Evans50047.83
3Davies45987.20
4Williams27724.34
5Owen16042.51
6Lewis15492.43
7Roberts15332.40
8Thomas14712.30
9Hughes14572.28
10Morris13642.14
11Edwards12551.96
12Morgan11041.73
13Lloyd10561.65
14Griffiths10461.64
15Humphreys9401.47
16Pugh7641.20
17Pryce6601.03
18Richards6290.98
19Rowlands4990.78
20Owens4760.75
21Hamer4480.70
22Parry4380.69
23Rees4350.68
24Ellis3600.56
25Francis3560.56
26James3290.52
27Brown3170.50
28Watkin3160.49
29Morgans2970.47
30Gittins2900.45
31Price2890.45
32Breese2660.42
33Rogers2620.41
34Mills2620.41
35Smith2520.39
36Bowen2510.39
37Jenkins2450.38
38Bennett2430.38
39Jerman2430.38
40Bebb2320.36
41Phillips2290.36
42Powell2260.35
43Meredith2140.34
44Watkins2080.33
45Benbow2050.32
46Pritchard2040.32
47Jarman2010.31
48Ashton1950.31
49Wood1890.30
50Vaughan1700.27
51Trow1680.26
52Tudor1670.26
53Astley1610.25
54Oliver1600.25
55Breeze1600.25
56Howells1560.24
57Stephens1540.24
58Reese1540.24
59George1470.23
60Harris1340.21
61Goodwin1340.21
62Turner1280.20
63Woosnam1260.20
64Andrew1170.18
65Ingram1130.18
66Jervis1100.17
67Higgins1070.17
68Gough1000.16
69Wilson990.16
70Chapman940.15
71Corfield910.14
72Harding860.13
73Kinsey840.13
74Pierce830.13
75Mathews810.13
76Bevan800.13
77Arthur800.13
78Manuel790.12
79Bumford790.12
80Howell770.12
81Griffith760.12
82Davis750.12
83Foulkes750.12
84Weaver730.11
85Matthews720.11
86Blayney680.11
87Worthington670.10
88Gwilt660.10
89Barrett650.10
90Reynolds640.10
91Peate630.10
92Ridge620.10
93Swain600.09
94Bailey590.09
95Taylor580.09
96Gethin580.09
97Green570.09
98Farmer570.09
99Preece570.09
100Savage560.09

* Statistics based on the 1881 census