Genealogy Chat

Is there anyone out there who can help me with a little Welsh history?? I am trying to trace my ancestors in Wales, but the place names are really confusing me....not only have some of the place names been changed over the years, but there are various different English and Welsh versions of each name, so I am now at the stage where I'm not even sure where I am looking anymore! example....Newbridge in 1940...am I right in thinking this was known as Pontypridd after 1856?? and if so why would it still be called Newbridge as late as 1940? or are these two totally different places?? And is Newbridge the same as Newbridge-on-Wye? Also Monmouthshire...I know my rellies hail from this area, but has the area been changed over the years - that is, is Monmouth today (now known as Gwent I believe) a smaller region than say in 1898? And does is have any other names?? And what region does Caerlon refer to? It seems alot o fthe place names I am coming across refer to both villages and larger regions at the same time, so I'm not sure if I'm supposed how to narrow down where I'm looking for....... my head hurts!!!!

Pontypridd is still Pontypridd. There is a Newbridge near Caerphilly still, I found it on the road map. I think Monmouthshire has changed over the years. Try the Glamorgan Family History site and see if there is any lead on there. Ann Glos

sarah if i can help i will as i live in gwent there is a town still called newbridge but is not near pontypridd, pontypridd is near cardiff caerlon is near cwmbran which is in torfan tracey

Tracey - the newbridge I am looking for I think is possibly the one in Gwent..., according to this marriage cert in front of me it is in Abercarn (which I thought was a totally different place!) in the district of Caerlon in the county of Monmouthshire....see why I'm getting confused lol I'm trying to look at old maps and work out which place is where, and how they may have changed, but not getting very far yet. I'm actually trying to trace both the Tabernacle Baptist Chapel, and a house called Tabernacle Cottage, neither of which come up on the 1901 census search, but possibly because I'm not putting in the correct area info. If you can give me any help or point me in the right direction that would be great! Thanks sarah

Caerleon is just north of Newport. The "main" Newbridge is about 8 miles NW of Newport. As well as the Newbridge on Wye that you mention, there is Newbridge on Usk, about 6 miles NE of Newport. Check at www.streetmap.*co.uk (remove *) and search for Caerleon.

Geoff - I just did what you suggested and it proved my point! lol - Caerleon, is also known as Caerllion, also known as Casnewydd.....this is going to take longer than I anticipated lol

Casnewydd is Newport.

yep - my mistake...just worked that out. I think the newbridge I'm after is also known as Cefn Bychan, and it appears that the Caerleon district refers to the area which includes Caerleon the town but just means a registration district rather than a map district. I found a 2 high streets in newbridge NP11 but looks like they are different streets, as one is newbridge Pentwynmawr...another name to add to my ever growing collection. Thank you so much for the help...it sometimes just needs another person to point out the obvious :o)

Sarah - you do seem very confused with the Welsh Valleys - here's a tip - the best way to imagine all these different places is to imagine a valley (not a straight valley, but one with twists and turns). All along the valley are little hamlets or villages (sometimes there is very little uninhabited area between each village - maybe the odd house or couple of dwellings), but each little hamlet with have its own name. A bit like Allestree in Derby, Spondon etc but nowhere near the size. If you start on a map at Newport Gwent, and follow the road north, then passing Risca you will eventually come to Abercarn. Abercarn is a sizeable village (always been known as Abercarn though)and if you head north from the village a left turn would take you to West End Abercarn (a smaller hamlet) and straight ahead would take you to Chapel of Ease (an even smaller hamlet). Next village would be Newbridge (Gwent). Always known as Newbridge and only that. If you proceed through Newbridge on the left, you will next come to Pentwymawr (hardly any uninhabited distance between them really) and then eventually you will come to Blackwood. There are maps on the internet which show the area quite clearly (or even an Atlas showing South Wales). Havent spoken to cousin yet but will get to the bottom of the Tabernacle Cottage (probably just a small house next door to the chapel (or Tabernacle)) Speak soon - Jacqui

Thanks Jacqui - that does help. I managed to find a site which showed the counties of Wales in 3 stages, showing how the names have changed, and I now understand why I was so confused to begin with...it looks like Newbridge was originally classed as being in Monmouth, which changed to Gwent in 1974, but after 1996 Monmouth shrank and the area where Newbridge is, is now in the bit of map relating to Glamorgan!! (All seems to be governmental changes....as in registration districts but still confusing!) Its a big help though, thinking of it in terms of Spondon or Allestree...just need to get my head round the different spelings and the Welsh variations lol

hi sarah i would have said the same as jackie i am glad it helps tracey

SARAH, what was the site which showed the changes please? Marian, also confused

Sarah - just found a web site called www(.)newbridge-online(.)info/ Have a look on there - there is a picture of Tabernacle Baptist Church and tells you how to contact the current incumbent - perhaps you could contact him and ask him to look through his records etc. There are also other photos of the area (although not many) but it will give you a flavour of the place. If you look at the pictures of the School Prom - take it from me, in my day it was navy knickers and gym slips all the way - no evening dresses for us - lol Jacqui

Caerleon is near Newport, and is in Gwent (which used to be the county of Monmouthshire), Newbridge is also in Gwent. Pontypridd is in Mid Glamorgan, approx 15 miles from Cardiff. M.

Marian - the site I found was www.data-wales.(co).uk/walesmap.htm and remove the () At the top of the list that comes up is a bit called 'counties of Wales and it gives you three options: pre 1974, 1974-1996 and Present day counties. I found that really helped to get my head round some of the changes. Thank you everyone for the help on this one...I am easily confused! lol

Jacqui - just looked at that website and by gosh I think you got it!! The address and title of the chapel match the info I am looking for....just need to wait for a reasonable hour then I'm going to phone the church office. Thank you thank you thank you!!

Thank you for that address Sarah, it's an interesting site Marian

Sarah, I have just noted that someone has posted a message entitled Are we related, about a website that apparently has a photo of the Tabernacle Cottage you are looking for. Take a look at the thread for the address!!!

Ann - it was me posted the pic on that new site - I found the address (thanks to lots of lovely tips on here...thank you everyone!) :o)) I also found an unrelated site dedicated to Churches and Chapels in Wales (its something to do with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and holds details of various religious buildings, in particular those that have been lost over the years, or are in danger of being lost) I emailed them on the off-chance and had a lovely message back from a lady who is looking to see what information they have about my little chapel, and requested my postal address so she can forward anything she finds directly to me!! It's not helping me find lost rellies but I sort of went off at a tangent wanting to know more about the Chapel my grandparents were married in and the surrounding area. I think I'm going to have to start being a bit more organised..this little hobby of mine is starting to take over lol

sarah glad i saw your thread today as i remember a mention of tabernacle cottage somewhere. i went on that new site 'arewerelated' and there is a picture of your tabernacle chapel in the picture gallery you can register for free but its 5.00 to become a full member and chat to others. it does have the name of the person who submitted the photo tho. might help in some way brenda x