Glamorgan Record Office

Glamorgan Record Office’s aim is to collect and preserve documents and records relating to Glamorgan and its people and make them publicly accessible.  

The Office is especially interested in documents that are vulnerable to decay so they can be preserved for generations to come.   

All records held by the archive are held in environmentally controlled strongrooms and are appropriately packaged so they can be preserved.

The County Borough Councils of Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Vale of Glamorgan and the city and county of Cardiff are served by the Archive.

Records include council minutes, papers, parchments, personal diaries, photographs and plans.  It also has resources concerning the authorities in Glamorgan.

The documents held will be of use if you want to research your family tree, trace the history of a house or find out more about local villages.  The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always willing to help should you require assistance.

Information about Glamorgan Record Office

Collections

For information regarding their collections, please visit their Home Page and peruse their on-line catalogue, which has 163,000 entries at present and is being added to all the time as new collections are added.  Collections held by the Office include:

• Bishop’s Transcripts
• Business Records
• Census Returns
• Electoral Registers
• Family and Estate Records
• Hospital Records
• Local History Books
• Photographs
• Probate Records
• Quarter Sessions
• School Records
• Tithe Apportionments
• Wills

The Office also holds numerous records appertaining to Hughesovka in the Hughesovka Research Archive.  These records include documents relating to John Hughes and his family, the town, British families who lived there, and many photographs.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours can be found by going to their visiting us page.

Location and Directions

If coming by train, journey to the stations at Grangetown or Ninian Park from Cardiff Central.  Grangetown is on the line going towards Penarth, whilst Ninian Park is on the line going towards Radyr.  

Trains to Radyr depart every 30 minutes, whilst trains to Grangetown depart every 10 minutes.  

If you are approaching Cardiff from the North, you have to leave the train at Radyr and board any train heading towards Coryton on the City Link, and leave the train at Ninian Park.  These trains depart every 30 minutes.

Buses 1 or 2 from behind Cardiff Central Library stop near Glamorgan Archives.  Buses 92, 93, 94 and 95 stop at Sloper Road, which is a 10 minute walk from the Office.  

If using a Sat Nav, inputting CF11 8AB should direct you to Clos Parc Morgannwg.  The Archive is next to Cardiff City Stadium.

Photography

You are allowed to use a digital camera to photograph documents, but you have to ask the permission of the Duty Archivist and fill in a personal photography form before you start taking any photographs.  Some documents cannot be photographed because they are fragile and easily damaged.  

Computers and Wi-Fi

Although computers are available in Glamorgan Record Office, you are also able to use your own laptop if you wish.  Free WiFi is available in all public areas.

Refreshments

A vending machine is available in the foyer, serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.  You are also welcome to eat your own food in this area.  Several eating establishments are accessible in the retail park five minutes walk from Glamorgan Record Office.

Research Service

Glamorgan Record Office offers a research service for anyone unable to visit in person.  

Shop

Many publications and other items are available for sale in their shop, which include:

• Hughesovka: A Welsh Enterprise in Imperial Russia
• Packaging Materials including Boxes, Photographic Storage and Document Storage
• Poor Relief in Merthyr Tydfil in Victorian Times
• Posters

Maps available for sale include:

• Cardiff 1851
• Cardiff and Penarth 1869
• Cardiff in the late 1830’s
• Glamorgan Ribbon Road Map 1675
• John Speed’s Plan of Cardiff 1610
• Merthyr Tydfil 1898, North and South
• South Wales Coalfield Maps

Twitter and Facebook Accounts

Glamorgan Archives has a Twitter account, @GlamArchives, which provides details regarding events and local history related news.

The Office also has a Facebook page, @glamarchives, providing information regarding Office events, collections and family history and local history related news.  They also answer queries from visitors.

Readers’ Tickets

You need to register as a searcher before you can access the search-room. They will need to know your personal details such as your name, address and telephone number, and will ask you some questions about your research.  

You have to provide two forms of identification – one must have proof of your name, such as a driving licence, credit card or passport and the other proof of your address, including a utility bill, official letter or council tax bill.  

Your photograph will then be taken and you will then be issued with a card that you have to bring with you every time you visit.

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Please also view my page regarding West Glamorgan Archive Service.