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Llanllechid

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"LLANLLECHID, a parish in the hundred of Uchaf, county Carnarvon, 4 miles S.E. of Bangor, its post town, and 10 N.E. of Carnarvon. It is situated on the river Ogwen, and includes seven hamlets, the principal being Bethesda and Tal-y-bont. The mountains Carnedd Llewellyn and Carnedd Davydd are nearly 3,500 feet in height. This is considered one of the largest parishes in the principality. There are several extensive slate quarries. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Bangor, value £471, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is dedicated to St. Llechid. There is also the district church of Glanogwen, the living of which is a perpetual curacy,* value £180. The charities, including a small school endowment, produce about £28 per annum. Côchwillan was the birth-place of Bishop Williams, and the residence of Archbishop Williams. A fair is held on the 29th October." [From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]

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Bibliography

  • Bassett, T M. Canmlwyddiant Bethel (Caellwyngrydd). 1985. 11pp
  • Caffell, Gwenno. Cerrig Cannan, Llandegai and Llanllechid. Archaeology in Wales 28 (1988), p. 85-6
  • Caffell, Gwenno (National Museum of Wales, Cardiff) Llechi Cerfiedig Dyffryn Ogwen / The Carved Slates of Dyffryn Ogwen. (1983)
  • Clwb Hanes Rachub, Caellwyngrydd a Llanllechid. Llyfr Hen Luniau o Rachub, Caellwyngrydd, a Llanllechid  (2019)
  • Crew, Peter. The excavation of a group of mountain-top Cairns on Drosgl, Llanllechid, Gwynedd. Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies 32 (1985), p. 290-325
  • Eglwys Annibynnol Carmel Llanllechid : 1839-2000. Llanllechid : Eglwys Annibynnol Carmel, (Bangor : 2000 Argraffdy Menai)] 40p
  • Eglwys Sant Cross, Plwyf Llanllechid = St. Cross Church, Parish of Llanllechid : 1892-1992. [Bangor] : Eglwys Sant Cross, 1992. 14p
  • Evans, Emlyn. O'r Niwl a'r Anialwch. (Hanes Dyffryn Ogwen). Gee
  • Evans, W J. Peniel Llanllechid 1834-1991. [Llanllechid] : W. J. Evans, 1992. 5p
  • Griffiths, John Ffrancon. Crwydro : Gwasanaeth Llyfrgell Gwynedd, 1981. (Darlith Flynyddol Llyfrgell Bethesda/ Bethesda Annual Lecture)
  • Griffiths, William. Casgliad o ddywediadau ffraeth : rhai o gymeriadau plwyfi Llanllechid a Llandegai. (18--?) 
  • Hughes, Hugh D. Antiquities of Llandegai and Llanllechid (Hynafiaethau Llandegai a Llanllechid) : Argraphwyd dros yr awdwr gan R. Jones, 1866. 160p
  • Hughes, J. Elwyn (Dr.) Byd Go Iawn Un Nos Ola Lleuad (2012)
  • Hughes, M. A list of quarrymen who were accidentally killed in the Penrhyn slate quarry, Bethesda, parish of Llanllechid, Caernarfonshire. Gwreiddiau Gwynedd/Gwynedd Roots 9 (1985), p. 13-15
  • Jones, Ann R. Cup-marked stones at Plas Uchaf, Llanllechid. Transactions of the Caernarvonshire Historical Society 58 (1997), p. 113-15
  • Jones, Ann R. Lloffion o hanes plwyf Llanllechid. Llanllechid] : Ann R. Jones, [1992?] 19p
  • Jones, Edward. Hanes dechreuad a chynydd y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, yn Llanllechid, Sir Gaernarfon. Bangor : Evan Williams, arg., [1891?] 48p
  • Jones, Glyn Penrhyn. 'O'r Siop' Ychydig o Atgofion: Llyfrgell Sir Gaernarfon , 1973 (Darlith Flynyddol Llyfrgell Bethesda/ Bethesda Annual Lecture)
  • Lomozik, C. A. G. Capeli Plwyf Llandegai a Llanllechid. Gwreiddiau Gwynedd / Gwynedd Roots 53 (2007) 
  • Parry, William. Hanes llenyddiaeth ac enwogion Llanllechid a Llandegai : sef, Traethawd buddugol yn Eisteddfod Gadeiriol Bethesda, 1867. Bangor : Argraffwyd gan J. Mendus Jones, 1868. 123p
  • Parry, W.J. Cyfrol y Jiwbili, Eglwys Bethesda, Arfon. (1900)
  • Roberts, Dafydd. Y chwarelwyr a'r Sowth. [Caernarfon] : Gwasanaeth Llyfrgell Gwynedd, 1982. 26p (Darlith Flynyddol Llyfrgell Bethesda/ Bethesda Annual Lecture)
  • Roberts, Dafydd (trefnwyd gan/ organized by) / Cymdeithas Ddiwylliadol Dyffryn Ogwen. Hen luniau Dyffryn Ogwen (1993)
  • Roberts, John Alun. Cofio'r Gorffennol  : Gwasanaeth Llyfrgell Gwynedd, 1980. (Darlith Flynyddol Llyfrgell Bethesda/ Bethesda Annual Lecture)
  • Valentine & Sons Ltd . Photographic view album of Bethesda, Nant Francon Valley, Ogwen and District. Bethesda : G. Roberts, [18--]. 16p
  • Williams, G J.   Hanes cerddoriaeth yn Nyffryn Ogwen. 1965. 54pp
  • Williams, Hugh J. Hanes Eglwys Llanllechid. Bangor, Gwynedd : Jarvis & Foster, 1910. 77p
  • Williams, John L. Tair chwarel ym mhlwyf Llanllechid, Bethesda. Trafodion Cymdeithas Hanes Sir Gaernarfon 57 (1996), p. 65-84
  • Williams, John L. Two powder magazines in the Parish of Llanllechid, Bethesda : their significance in the industrial turmoil of the late nineteenth century.  Industrial Gwynedd 2 (1997), p. 7-17.
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Cemeteries

Transcriptions of memorials from all cemeteries are available from Gwynedd FHS with the exception of Coetmor (Non. Denom) that is still currently being transcribed [see y ffor below for online access].

An exceptional collection of burial records for Llanllechid (St. Llechid Church and St Cross / Maes y Groes), Glanogwen Church Bethesda, and Coetmor Cemetery are available from y ffor. The Coetmor cemetery records also include images of gravestones. 

There are two cemeteries in Coetmor directly nextdoor to each other. One non-denominational and another belonging to the Robertson memorial church. Both are currently in use (2019) and serve the local (Bethesda and Llanllechid) area.

Below is a list of all cemeteries in Llanllechid parish:

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Census

1851 Census of Llanllechid. A full transcription by Joyce & Douglas Hinde in both "As Enumerated" and "Name Order" form.

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Church History

Church and chapel data from The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 11, North Wales. Ed. by Ieuan Gwynedd Jones, UWP, 1981. The names given towards the end of each entry are those of the informants.

Llanllechid Parish; Statistics; Area 18111 acres; Population 3094 males, 2854 females, total 5948

Llanllechyd Parish Church

Consecrated in 1846 in place of the ancient parish church

Attendance - morning 320 + 160 scholars, evening 500. Services in Welsh

Evan Lewis, Curate

Bethel, Ty'n y Maes (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist)

Erected 1843

Attendance - morning 1 + 90 scholars, afternoon 32 + 107 scholars, evening 15 + 93 scholars

 John Edwards, Elder, Tyn y maes

Bryn Ogwen (Independent)

Erected 1846. Part of a dwelling house

Attendance - afternoon 32, evening 42

Owen Jones, Pregethwr Cynorthwyol, Bryn Ogwen, nr Bethesda

Jerusalem (Calvinistic Methodist)

Erected 1842

Attendance - morning 437 scholars, afternoon 402 + 365 scholars, evening 368 + 330 scholars. "Temperance meeting held between afternoon and evening service on 31st March 1851......"

William Williams, Secretary, Braich Melyn, no 22, Bethesda

Bethesda Chapel (Independent)

Erected 1820

Attendance - average - morning 390, afternoon 1024, evening 1219

Llewelyn Samuel, Minister

Siloam Chapel, Bethesda (Wesleyan Methodist)

Erected 1835

Attendance - morning 103, afternoon 115, evening 202

 John Evans, Wesleyan Minister, Bangor

Caersalem (Seperate Baptist)

Erected 1834

Attendance - morning 48 scholars, afternoon 46 + 56 scholars, evening 22 + 56 scholars. Not used exclusively as a place of worship

Thos. Llewelyn Morris, Baptist Preacher and Deacon, Bethesda

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bethesda

Erected 1840

Attendance - morning 34, afternoon 22, evening 80.    ".........Started about the beginning of November 1850". Dwelling house used exclusively as a place of worship

David Williams, Elder

Carneddi (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist)

Erected 1816

Attendance - morning 402, afternoon 440 scholars, evening 456

Richard Jones, Elder, Abercaseg, Bethesda

Peniel (Calvinistic Methodist)

Erected 1838

Attendance - morning 256 scholars, afternoon 350, evening 355. "There was another Chapel in the neighbourhood Erected before 1800. We have Built our Chapel now instead of the other not exactly in the same Place".

David Jones, Elder, Draper, Llanllechid

Carmel Chapel (Independent)

Erected 1839

Attendance - morning 176 scholars, afternoon 227, evening 221

Llewelyn Samuel, Minister

Salem (Wesleyan Methodists)

Erected 1843

Attendance - morning 50, afternoon 70 scholars, evening 66

John Evans, Wesleyan Minister, Bangor

Bethlehem (Independent)

Erected 1825

Attendance - morning 138, afternoon 121 scholars, evening 173

Llewelyn Samuel, Minister

Gatehouse (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist)

Erected before 1800

Attendance - morning 160, afternoon 154 scholars, evening 177

(No Signature)

Gilfach (Particular Baptist)

Erected 1814

Attendance - afternoon 74, evening 68

Humphrey Ellis, Elder, Cefnfaes

See List of Churches and Chapels in Llanllechid for further information (includes extensive lists of names and addresses of local inhabitants) 

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Church Records

Joyce Hinde has supplied a list of Parish Registers held at the Caernarfon Area Record Office.

Transcripts of Parish Registers (originals held in Caernarfon Archives) and Memorial Inscriptions are available from Gwynedd Family History Society:

  • St. Llechid, Llanllechid - Memorial Inscriptions, Baptisms 1677 - 1856, Marriages 1677-1812, Burials 1677-2002. (BT provided in some cases - held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth).
  • Capel Bethlehem, Talybont - Memorial Inscriptions
  • Maes y Groes (St. Cross), Talybont - Memorial Inscriptions.
  • Coetmor Cemetery (Non Denom and Robertson Memorial Church) - Memorial Inscriptions
  • Eglwys Glanogwen, Bethesda - Memorial Inscriptions, Burials 1856 - 2003
  • Arfon (North Caernarfonshire) Marriages, including Llanllechid Parish - 1812-1837

Chapel Records held at Caernarfon Archives:

  • Siloam Chapel (Wesleyan), Bethesda - Baptismal Register 1871- 1911, lease agreements and other documents relating to trustees of the Chapel, annual reports 1977-1982. XD34
  • Salem Chapel (Independent) , Llanllechid - Report from building survey of chapel and chapelhouse, Book containing name of members, Annual reports (1977-1980) , Balance Sheets (1978-1979). XD34
  • Jerusalem Chapel (Methodists), Bethesda, Various annual Reports between 1899-1974. Baptismal records currently held by chapel. XD34 Collection. 

Chapel Records held at Bangor University Archives:

  • Capel Treflys, Gerlan (Independent) - Records from 1866 to 1971. Books covering general records, balance sheets, member contributions, treasury debt, pew collections, Sunday School collections, annual reports (1890-1975) and a variety of miscellaneous note books.  Search records on Bangor Archives, Calmview Catalogue - reference RTJ/55.

Chapel Records held at National Archives:

  • Calvinistic Methodist Births and Baptisms 1804-1837 - covers Llanllechid Capel Gatehouse and Llanllechid Capel yr Achub (Rachub) / Capel Carneddi - see above for explanation regarding Capel Rachub/Carneddi  RG4/3873. Available to view online at The Genealogist.
  • Wesleyan Births and Baptisms 1810-1837 (Caernarfon Circuit - Ebenzer Chapel Llanbeblig), covering Aber, Bangor, Llanbeblig, Llanddeiniolen, Llandegai, Llandwrog, Llanfairfechan, Llanllechid, Llanrug : RG4/4025. Available to view online at The Genealogist (Sep 2018).
  • Bethesda (Independent) Chapel (High Street, Bethesda), Llanllechid, Caernarvonshire : Births and Baptisms, 1790-1837. Available to view online at The Genealogist

Chapel Records held at National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth: 

  • Capel Bethel, Ty'n y Maes, Llanllechid - Notebook containing a list of deaths and baptisms 1844-1884, Account book (recipts and expenditures) also containing chapel statistics 1878-1912, Members contribution book 1886-1893, Sunday School members' register 1894-1922, Committee minute book 1920-1961 with ministry payments 1917-1935 and payments and receipts for 1961, Account book 1923-1970, Miscellaneous financial papers including bank statements and deposit account books 1935-1972, Account book 1936-1954, Transfer certificates of membership from Bethel, Ty'n y Maes to other churches 1941-1872, Minute book 1946-1964, Statistics (Financial) 1968-1971, Ministry account book. - see Calvinistic Methodist Archive
  • Capel Bethlehem, Tal-y-bont - Cyfarfodydd dathlu 150 mlynedd y capel presennol : 1860-2010 : Hydref 14 a 17, 2012 / Eglwys Annibynnol Bethlehem, Talybont, ger Bangor.
  • Capel Brynteg, Bethesda - File (Account book with receipts and expenditure) 1976 - 1990 - see Calvinstic Methodist Archive.
  • Capel Carmel, Llanllechid -  Cyfarfodydd dathlu 150 mlynedd Eglwys Annibynnol Carmel; Llanllechid Hydref 15 a 16, 1989 : [rhaglen/programme]; Adroddiad yr Eglwys / Eglwys Annibynnol Carmel Llanllechid; Ithel Davies Papers: Letters from Ithel Davies to the Reverend R E Davies, Carmel, Llanllechid, Congregationalist minister ; Eglwys Annibynnol Carmel Llanllechid : 1839-2000 / [H. Amwel Pritchard (et al.)]. ; arwnad i'r diweddar Mr. Hugh Jones (Hu Coetmor), Carmel, Llanllechid : yr hwn a fu farw Tachwedd 10, 1879 yn 67 mlwydd oed, buddugol yn Nghylchwyl Flynyddol Carmel, Awst 27 a'r 28, 1880.
  • Capel Carneddi, Bethesda - Ministry account book (receipts and payments) 1925-1964, Account book ('yr achos, yr eisteddleoedd a diolchgarwch') 1953-1960 , Bank Statements, 1960-1965, Ministry account book (receipts and payments) 1965-1968), Collection book (1953-1968), Ministry collection book together with collections 1962-1967 for Cartref Bontnewydd, Ministry collection book (children) 1953-1959 together with collections made at Whistun 1962-1969, Collection book for the Connexion rates and for the Ministry 1960-1984, Whitsun collection book 1962-1969, Collection book (children) 1967, Register 1862-1895, Pew rent book 1869-1896, File relating to chapel buildings committe including minutes 1972 and improvements made to chapel house in 1975. - see Calvinistic Methodist Archive
  • Capel Gerlan, Bethesda - Pew rent 1869-1974, Account book 1877-1891, Ministry account books 1899-1993, account books 1906-1993, general account books 1925-1971, account book including ministry collections and preacher payments 1926-1935, account books 1950-1971, deacon lists 1869-1993, annual reports (1881-1993) - these include lists of members and will be of particular interest to genealogists, terms for letting chapel house 1956, Emyr Hywel Owen, Hanes Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Y Gerlan, Bethesda (1869-1969), Temperance society : pledge book 1876-1936, members - Section A: Adults 1897-1927 and Section B: Children, Register (baptisms, marriages and deaths) 1895-1993; Register of members (1928-1993), Collection books (1900-1993) including towards ministry, chapel debt, 'Casgliad Ugain mis', Sunday School : secretary's books 1903-1992, Rhestr llyfrau perthynol i Ysgol Sabbothol y Methodistiaid Y Gerlan (1907 Oct 25), Attendance register 1925-1936, Trip accounts 1925-1940, Minute books 1937-1971 ; Variety of programmes 1910-1993, Minute Books of church and elders meetings 1927-1994. - See Calvinstic Methodist Archive
  • Capel Gilfach (Bedyddywr/Baptists), Bethesda - "Henry Rumsey Williams Papers: Mortgage (Release) for £500 of a m. called Gilfach y Llin, p. Llanllechid, and two dwelling houses and two plots ...," (relates to Gilfach Chapel).
  • Capel Jeruslaem, Bethesda - Owen family births, marriages and deaths 1790-1957, Transfer ticket of Miss Catherine Jane Roberts Aug 31 1893.
  • Capel Peniel, Llanllechid - Hanes yr Achos ym Mheniel, Llanllechid, o 1834 hyd 1991 by W.J.Evans , Annual Reports (1928), Baptismal Register Entries 1813-1817 (CMA EZ 5/81.) - see Calvinistic Methodist Archive
  • Calvinistic Methodist Archive : Baptismal register - Transcripts of part of a composite baptismal register for Caernarfonshire (cf. Bala College MSS, III, 3), including Carneddi, Bethesda and Llanllechid, 1813-1837). - see NLW Catalogue
  • Henry Rumsey Williams Papers: 'references to a lease of chapel for Calvinistic Methodists in p. Llanllechid, co. Caern., 1835'.
  • Papurau D. J. Williams (Bethesda): Nodiadau Amrywiol (Ysgrythurol; Ymddiriedolwyr capeli Annibynnol Treflys, Bethesda, a Bethlehem, Talybont, Llanllechid: Hanes Undeb Llandeilo, 1933; Athrawon a Swyddogion y ...,

(NLW details compiled using NLW Catalogue)

Bangor, Caernarfon and Tregarth Wesleyan Methodist Circuits papers  - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales 
"Include chapel records; ............... Salem Church, Llanllechid, 1976-1989; Siloam Church, Bethesda, 1871-1991......" Bethesda Congregational Chapel Certificate of Registration 1820  - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales   ".....but the existence of records held at the National Archives, reveal that the cause can be traced as far back as 1790...."

Thomas Williams, Rhiwlas Diaries 1867 - 1908  - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales 
"28 diaries, entitled Y Dyddiadur Wesleyaidd , the Wesleyan diaries. The entries made by Thomas Williams contain information about preachers and the subjects of their sermons as well as notices of district meetings and other religious meetings. The lock-out at the Cae Braich y Cafn quarry [in Llanllechid parish] in 1870 is recorded, as well as the religious revival of 1904 - 1905.

Hobley Griffith Manuscripts: Hanes Methodistiaeth Arfon : "Original manuscript histories of local Calvinistic Methodist churches and causes written for the use of William Hobley in the preparation of his Hanes Methodistiaeth Arfon, 1910-1924" - details of extant records on NLW catalogue. 

Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches), 4 volumes (published 1871+). See below from entries for Llanllechid Chapels, All with translations by Eleri Rowlands (Sept 2009-March 2013) : Bethesda chapel    Bethlehem chapel    Carmel chapel    Salem chapel    Saron,Ty'nymaes    Nantybenglog    Treflys (Gerlan)

Images of St. Llechid's Church - on the People's Collection Wales site. 

Image of Jerwsalem Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel - on the People's Collection Wales site. 

See Welsh Chapels and Churches for a photograph of Bethesda Independent Chapel.

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Description & Travel

Fieldscape around Llanllechid - on the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust site

Rachub - on Wikipedia Edmund Hyde Hall Papers  - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales
"Comprises a manuscript copy of A Description of Caernarfonshire, 1808-1811by Edmund Hyde Hall. Also contains a photocopied portion of a draft of this work, relating to the parishes of Llandygái, Llanllechidand Aber."

John Morris Poetry and Essays  [1920s - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales
"Three poems and two essays on the subject of place-names in Llanllechid and industries in Llanllechid and Llandegai, Caernarfonshire"

Various landscapes - on the People's Collection Wales  site

You can see pictures of Llanllechid which are provided by:

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Directories

List of local businesses advertisements in Bethesda Official Guide Book (c.1920s) published by the urban district council of Bethesda:

  • H. R. Evans , M.P.S, High-Class Pharmaceutical Dispensing and Photographic Chemist
  • Wheldons, Ladies' and Gent's Holiday Wear Specialists, 49 High Street Bethesda
  • William Morris, M.P.S, Dispensing and Photographic Chemist, Penrhyn Pharmacy
  • Mrs H. E. Williams, Milliner and Draper, 4 Ogwen Terrace
  • Roberts Brothers, The Fashionable Drapers, Milliners, Costumiers, Penrhyn House, Bethesda
  • Mrs J. E. Jones, Butcher, 57 High Street, Bethesda
  • Douglas Arms Hotel, Bethesda, N.W
  • W. J. Williams, Ogwen Mews and King's Arms Hotel
  • R.E. Lloyd, General Draper and Outfitter, 14 Ogwen Terrace, Bethesda
  • J.F. Williams, Bookseller, Stationer, Printer, Bookbinder, Caxton House, Bethesda
  • Imperial Temperance Hotel (Elias), Bethesda, N.W
  • Llangollen Hotel, Bethesda
  • T. J. Roberts, Castle House Garage, Bethesda
  • Hugh Thomas, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, Stafford House, High Street, Bethesda
  • Edward Jones, Flour and Corn Merchant, Grocer, Fruiterer, and Provision Dealer, The Central Stores Bethesda
  • R. Davies, High-Class Grocer, Tea and Provision Merchant, Corn and Flour Merchant, Ogwen Stores Bethesda, N. Wales
  • Gwalia Stores (A. L. Bocking) , Grocer and Provision Merchant, Greengrocer and Fruiterer, 58/60 High Street Bethesda N.W
  • John Lloyd Williams, Grocer and Provision Merchant, 46 High Street (Siop Ty Mawr), Bethesda
  • W.J. Edwards (Late R. Edwards), Wholesale and Retail Coal Merchant, 1 Gordon Terrace, Bethesda
  • Orme's Cafe, 19 Ogwen Terrace, Also at Bank Buildings, 15 High Street
  • H. Penrhyn Jones (Late G. Roberts), Stationer, Newsagent, Tabacconist, Lorne House, Bethesda, North Wales
  • Miss H. E. Williams, Millinery and Faney Drapery, 4 Ogwen Terrace
  • T. Price Thomas, Family Draper, Milliner, and Costumier, Corner House, Bethesda
  • Crown Stores (J. R. Edwards F.G.I - late manager John Hughes, Liverpool and London), Wholesale and Retail Grocer, Flour, Provision Merchant and Fruiterer, Bethesda
  • Ffrangcon Auto. Co., Ltd., Motor and General Engineers and Repairs, The Garage, Bethesda, North Wales. 

 

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Dwellings

Catalogue of sale of several Penrhyn estate buildings in 1938: The properties were all to be offered to the current tenants in the first instance. Contains names of occupiers and maps of streets in Bethesda that are likely to be of use to genealogists. - Available to view on People's Collection Wales / Casgliad y Werin Cymru site.

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Gazetteers

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Genealogy

John Griffiths Papers 1872-1929 - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales 
"John Griffiths (fl. 1897-1928) lived at Tanyffordd and No. 2, Fronhyfryd in Llanllechid, Caernarfonshire, with Minnie Griffith (fl. 1920-1924). he was involved in litigation.

Photocopies of Dafydd Ellis Manuscripts  - Held at Prifysgol Bangor (BMMS 20669-20672):
"Include; ......... List of the inhabitants of Llanllechid and Llandygai, who died between 1866-1913. Includes personal names, house names, dates of death and burial and place of burial. List of those who died in Caebraichycefn Quarry from 1784 - 1905............." - List is not a complete record of all inhabitants. 

Llais Ogwan (local paper of Dyffryn Ogwen) frequently contains significant detail regarding previous inhabitants of Llanllechid/Llandegai/Bethesda/Tregarth. A regular feature, 'Pwy Sy'n Cofio Ddoe?' by Dr. J Elwyn Hughes covers various periods in Dyffyn Ogwen history and provides dates and details likely to be of use to Genealogists. A limited archive (2012-2018) is available in PDF format on their website. A full archive is available in Prifysgol Bangor.  

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History

Pantdreiniog Quarry - "This Quarry is situated at Bethesda, in the Parish of Llanllechid, County of Carnarfon, and less than one mile from L. & N. W. Railway Station at Bethesda......"

What I saw at Bethesda by Sheridan Jones, C. (Special Correspondent of the Daily News) - this follows the Social and Economic effects of the Penrhyn Quarry (Chwarel Cae Braich y Cafn) Strike on local inhabitants. 

'Llofion o Hanes plwyf Llanllechid', History of the parish of Llanllechid leaflet. - on the People's Collection Wales  site

Hanes Dyffryn Ogwen by John Ll. Williams and Lowri W. Williams - A truly outstanding collection of discussions on the history of Dyffryn Ogwen/Ogwen Valley (Llanllechid/Llandegai). The information is likely to be of great interest to genealogists - it includes images/scans from old books and documents as well as local expertize on a wide range of topics. Regularly updated with new posts.  [The website and discussions are in Welsh - use of online translation websites should be of help, otherwise websites such as Rootschat or local Gwynedd history groups on Facebook usually have members willing to translate short sections]

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Land & Property

Land Tax Records (1746-1812 - incomplete) are available to view at the Gwynedd Archives record office in Caernarfon (XQA/LT/4/5). The records are split into 'Upper/Uchaf'/ 'Lower/Isaf' relating to the property above the church and below the church respectively. Records are indexed in National Archives Discovery catalogue.

Tanybwlch estate, Llanllechid, deeds 1650-1922 - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales

Penrhyn estate, Llanllechid, deeds available at Prifysgol Bangor (collection fully searchable using Calmview catalogue). Annual rent books are available that cover most of the late 18th/early 19th century. 

Coetmor estate, Llanllechid, records held at Prifysgol Bangor (a proportion of the collection is searchable using Calmview catalogue).

Mrs Eluned Wanhill Deposit 1860-1977 - details of extant records on Archives Network Wales
"Deeds and documents relating to ... the parish of Llanllechid and the village of Bethesda, e.g. Coed Quarry. Some lands belonged to the Cefnfaes Estate, Bethesda. Also, a history of the missionary school in Coetmor Bethesda .........."

Farm Records - BMSS/ 746 at Prifysgol Bangor : Arolwg o diroedd yn ardaloedd Bethesda, Llanllechid ac Abergwyngregyn gan John Lloyd  "Llawysgrif ddiddorol a phwysig. Enwau ffermydd ac enwau'r caeau ymhob un yn fanwl iawn a dosbarthu pob cae i "meadow" ac "upland". [Inspection of land in Bethesda, Llanllechid and Abergwyngregyn by John Lloyd. Including names of farms and their fields with each distributed as either meadow or upland.] . - Description from Bangor University catalogue.

Land/ Farm Records - BMSS/866 at Prifysgol Bangor : Statute labour accounts regarding the building of the Holyhead road (for the district from Bangor to [sic.]Cernioge, Llanefydd. The districts treated are: Llandegai, Llanllechid, Trewydyr, Tybrith ucha, Betws y Coed, Nant Eidda, Gwernhowel, Cernioge, Bryn Ucha and Bangor. - Description from Bangor University Calmview. 

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Law & Legislation

Examination of Catherine the wife of Lewis Owen of Llanllechid, labourer, before Owen Hughes, re. the alleged theft of an apron belonging to a woman at Brickhill, which Catherine claims was bought for a shilling by her daughter Mary from a London traveller. dd 23 Dec 1735  - on the People's Collection Wales  site

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Maps

Gwynedd Family History Society have a diagram of the ecclesiastical parishes of Caernarfonshire (under Parishes).

Plan of Llanllechid parish, County of Carnarvon - on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SH665657 (Lat/Lon: 53.17148, -3.999324), Llanllechid which are provided by:

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Military Records

Bethesda War Memorial (WW1 and WW2) - fully indexed list of names available to view on historypoints.org and images of memorial on Coflein.

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Occupations

Records concerning Penrhyn Quarry (Chwarel y Penrhyn / Caebraich-y-cafn):

  • Concert Programme in aid of the Penrhyn Quarrymen's Distress Fund, 21 November 1901 - on People's Collection Wales.
  • Appeal published by the 'W. J. Parry Penrhyn Libel Fund' 30 September 1903 - on People's Collection Wales.
  • Bethesda Quarryman's Choir c. 1897 - on People's Collection Wales.
  • Welsh ballad praising the quarrymen of Caebraich-y-cafn Bethesda, by Ieuan Griffiths - on People's Collection Wales
  • Llyfr Casgliadau Chwarelwyr 1885-6 [A list of collections from quarrymen] - on People's Collection Wales. Collections from quarrymen towards the University of North Wales college. Comprehensive list of names and addresses from Lord and Sebastapol galleries. 
  • Cynauaf Damwain: sef Rhestr o'r Damweiniau yn Chwarelau Dinorwig a'r Penrhyn (Caernarfon, [1879]) - on People's Collection Wales.  [A list of accidents in Dinorwic and Penrhyn Quarries]. Useful resource for genealogists researching family in Llanllechid/Llandegai parishes (or indeed North Wales in general) - providing a list of those injured or killed at the quarry (From the beginning - 1879). 
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Schools

A majority of available schools records for Llanllechid (admission registers/ attendance registers / log books) are held at Gwynedd Archives record office in Caernarfon. Some pages are available to view online at Casgliad y Werin Cymru / People's Collection Wales - these normally cover the period during the Penrhyn Quarry Strike (1900-1903) and give an indication of the social implications:

  • Pages from Llanllechid National School Admission Register 1901-1903 - on the People's Collection Wales site: "It is seen that a number of children left the area during this period as their families went in search of employment in south Wales. The Register also shows that the children were embroiled in the tensions and divisions which had become evident within the local community during the strike......................"
  • Pages from Bethesda (Gerlan) National School Log Book 1901-1919 - on People's Collection Wales site.

Llanllechid Charity and Llanllechid National School papers  details of extant records on Archives Network Wales
"The parish .... consists of Llanllechid village, with the church, the hamlet of Tâl-y-Bont, and the upper part of the parish, Nant-y-Bernglog, with Capel Curig Church. Llanllechid Parish School had been started in the parish church; from 1828 it operated on the National Plan, supported by subscription. Llanllechid National School was built in 1851............."