Local History
How much do you know about your home town or village in years gone by? You'll find some fascinating facts on these websites - tell us if you know of any more.
For a more up to date view of the region, see our Towns and Villages webguide.
Old Photos
http://www.oldukphotos.com
A fascinating archive of photos and postcards from all over the UK, including many from south east Wales. Click on the links to Glamorgan or Monmouthshire, then look for your town.
Abergavenny Local History Society
http://www.abergavennyhistory.co.uk
A well-presented guide to the historic market town. The site tells the story of the area's most prominent residents and buildings, with details of a Heritage Trail of blue plaques erected around the town.
Abertillery Online
http://www.abertillery.net
This site has an impressive section about Old Abertillery, including articles and historical photographs of the town, its pubs, churches and chapels, and family history. You'll also find plenty of present day information about the area.
Barry - Axis Historical Society
http://www.barryaxis.org.uk
Preserving the history of the coastal town and resort in photographs, documents and artefacts.
Bridgend Young Archaeologists Club
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/yac/bridgend/
Have you ever wanted to wrap an Egyptian mummy, make a medieval tapestry or see what Vikings ate for lunch? Check out this site if you're aged 8 to 16 and want to know more about local history.
Butetown History and Arts Centre
http://www.bhac.org
Learn about the multicultural community and heritage of Cardiffs docklands. The centre works with local people, researchers, media workers and artists to document the history of the area. You'll be fascinated by the galleries of old photographs, and teachers will find the downloadable educational material particularly useful.
Caerleon Roman Fortress
http://www.caerleon.net
Discover the glories of Roman medicine, crafts and authentic cookery. Find out about events and activities to get involved in, or listen to residents memories and stories, and browse through a collection of coins found in the fortress.
Bridgend Royal Ordnance Factory
http://bridgend.rof.org.uk
In depth information about Bridgend's WWII industrial history.
Cwmtillery Online
http://www.cwmtillery.com
An excellent site displaying the history of this former mining community through stories and photographs of its residents. Information can be found on events dating back to 1815 and the native countryside flora and fauna.
Glamorgan Record Office
http://www.glamro.gov.uk/
This site has information about Cardiff's development from a regional town to a capital city. There's a searchable database of plans which can be used to date the development of streets, as well as resources for schools.
Glamorgan-Gwent Archaelogical Trust
http://www.ggat.org.uk
A helpful site which offers a charged service to locate records from the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. There is an excellent links page, providing a good starting point for information in English or Welsh. Topics include castles, histories, historical essays, conservation, castle accommodation, abbeys and religious sites.
Kenfig - The Complete History
http://www.kenfig.org.uk
Stories, photos and legends of the now buried medieval city near Bridgend.
National Museums and Galleries of Wales
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/
Information about the various collections and centres including several in South East Wales. These include the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff, the Roman Legionary Museum at Caerleon, the Big Pit National Mining Museum in Blaenavon, and the National History Museum at St Fagans.
Newport Past
http://www.newportpast.com
A fascinating collection of old postcards, stories, family history records and more. See also www.geocities.com/newport_wales/
The Rhondda
http://www.therhondda.co.uk
Brimming with details about life at the time when coal was king, this site truly is a mine of information. The photo gallery includes a range of images from local sports teams and social clubs to workers, churches and shop fronts.
Risca Industrial History Museum
http://www.riscamuseum.org.uk
Artefacts, memorabilia and photos of coal mining, ironworks, tram roads, railways and more.
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk
The originator, curator and supplier of authoritative information about the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales.
Tredegar, Past and Present
http://www.tredegar.co.uk/history/
A guide to one of the major centres of the industrial revolution, a 19th century boomtown due to coal and steel.
Trevithick 2004
http://www.trevithick2004.co.uk
Set up to celebrate the bicentenary of a historic moment of the Industrial Revolution, and still a useful source of information. On 21 February 1804 Richard Trevithick's locomotive became the first steam engine in the world to haul a load over rails on a nine-and-a-half mile trip from Penydarren to Abercynon.
Welsh Coal Mines
http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk
A fascinating site produced by retired miner John Smith who wants to keep the memory alive of the hundreds of pits that once employed thousands across Wales. Includes photographs, poems, a forum, and accounts of mining disasters and other notable incidents.
CADW - Welsh Historical Monuments
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment division. Its aim is to promote the conservation and appreciation of Wales's historic environment.
Abandoned Communities
http://www.abandonedcommunities.co.uk
A guide to thousands of towns, villages and settlements across the UK which are now deserted due to social, economic or environmental factors. Includes Kenfig, Cosmeston and Mynydd Epynt.
LocalInfo History
http://localinfohistory.moonfruit.com/
Old photos from around the south Wales valleys - you're invited to contribute your photos and comment on those already published.
Cynon Culture
http://www.cynonculture.co.uk
A guide to the history and culture of the Cynon Valley.
Wye Valley - Re-picturing the Picturesque
http://www.re-picture.info
Darryl Baird from the University of Michigan-Flint in the USA retraced the 1770 Picturesque tour of William Gilpin in autumn 2005. Read his account of his visit which he recorded in a weblog-style travel journal.
Karl's Archaeology Site
http://www.karlmartin.co.uk
A study of industrial history in the heads of the valleys, south Brecknockshire and the northern part of old Monmouthshire, featuring photos and old maps of roads and railway tracks.
South Wales Borderers Re-enactment Society
http://www.webster.uk.net/HistoryAndCulture/Re-enactmentWW2SWB/
A group of historians committed to preserving the memory of the only Welsh unit to take part in the D-Day landings of World War Two. They portray a normal "Tommy" infantry soldier as he would have looked landing at Le Hemel on 6th June 1944.
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