History
If you like poking about in the past there's plenty of interest in Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd. Or perhaps you want to trace your family tree. Websites provide an excellent guide across the centuries.
Caerhun Roman Fort
http://www.betws31.freeserve.co.uk/
Still under construction, this archaeological website on the Kanovium Project in the lower Conwy Valley includes a gallery of beautiful photographs.
Gwynedd Archaeological Trust
http://www.heneb.co.uk/
An educational charity and limited company, the trust has completed extensive projects across North West Wales studying historic landscapes. The site explains their work and services, gives details of their projects with pictures and explains how you can get involved.
Town Trails
http://www.towntrailswales.co.uk
Qualified guides lead informative weekly walks throughout the summer, bringing to life the history of Caernarfon, Conwy, Llandudno and Anglesey.
Suggested by Mandy Whitehead.
Anglesey History
http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/index.html
A clearly presented history of the island of Anglesey from Prehistoric times to the 20th century. There is a useful booklist for further study, plus a section on the island's wildlife and where to see it.
Bangor Civic Society
http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk
Society which campaigns for and promotes the built and natural environment of Bangor, providing useful information but also highlighting problems and challenges facing the city. With town walks, news and events, message board.
Suggested by Matt Tapping.
Castles of Wales
http://www.castlewales.com/home.html
Jeffrey L Thomas takes you on a tour of Wales's staggering number of well known and lesser known castles, outlining the history and structure of each one and illustrated with his own splendid photographs.
Gwynedd Family History Society
http://www.gwyneddfhs.org
With five branches spread from Llandudno to Dolgellau, the society undertakes to help those tracing their family tree and to produce an impressive number of useful historical publications. Just what you need if you're researching your ancestors.
Llandudno Historical Society
http://www.llandudnohistoricalsociety.org.uk
This no-fuss easy-to-navigate site gives a basic and informative introduction to the town's club for those interested in all aspects of local history. Find out what they're up to and how to join.
Suggested by Alan Bates, Llandudno
Gwrych Castle
http://www.gwrych.org.uk/
This crumbling Victorian folly near Abergele is a familiar landmark to everyone who travels along the A55 or the North Wales Coast railway line. A small group of enthusiasts battling to preserve the castle have built this site to encourage supporters. It describes the monument's fascinating history through words and pictures.
Anglesey Antiquarian Society and Field Club
http://www.hanesmon.btinternet.co.uk/
Details of the society's meetings and excursions and a guide to publications about Anglesey, as well as other helpful resources for those interested in the island's history.
The Slate Industry of North and Mid Wales
http://www.penmorfa.com/Slate/
Dave Sallery's online history covers many aspects of this key industry, its quarries, geology, techniques and equipment, all illustrated with photographs.
Anglesey Info
http://www.anglesey.info/
The site has a wealth of information and photographs from Anglesey, in particular its churches and historic monuments, some of which could be useful for genealogists. There are also town guides and ideas about things to do, from car boot sales to beaches.
Suggested by Phil Evans.
Megalithic Walks
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/celynog/
Combine an interest in ancient monuments with walking, with the help of this fascinating website which describes routes visiting a wealth of megalithic sites all over Britain. There are plenty to choose from in North West Wales, all illustrated with excellent photographs of the cromlechs, burial chambers and stone circles.
Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments
http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk
Based in Aberystwyth, the RCAHMW holds information and images on the archaeology and built heritage of Wales. It's a fantastic online source of information on our country's past. Browse the Coflein interactive database which includes details of thousands of archaeological sites, monuments, buildings and maritime sites.
Suggested by Charles Green.
Merioneth Manganese
http://www.hendrecoed.org.uk/Merioneth-Manganese/
This simply-designed, text-based site is a great source of information for manganese mining in the Arenig and Harlech areas. There are links imbedded in the text to take you round the site and you can browe a map to see if there was a mine near you.
Suggested by Dave Linton, Llanaber, Barmouth
The Copper Kingdom
http://www.copperkingdom.co.uk/
This site is maintained by Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust, and is packed with information on the copper industry in Amlwch, Anglesey. The homepage is unusually made up of a grid of pictures, and it's necessary to hover your mouse over each image to find out what's behind it. Other industries are also mentioned, including fishing, ship building and chemicals.
Parys Mountain
http://www.parysmountain.co.uk/
This site is a veritable mine of information and will tell you all you've ever wanted to know about what was once the largest copper mine in the world. The user-friendly homepage displays links to who's who of the mine's history, the technicalities of extracting copper and info on the old mountain's geology.
Civic Trust Wales
http://www.civictrustwales.org/
This is the place to go every September to find out about buildings opening to the public under the European Heritage Days scheme. You'll also find links to civic societies across Wales and relevant publications.
More historic sites...
Interested in fishing, photography or other leisure activities? Click here for websites.
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