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Rudry

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"RHUDD DRE, in the Cwmwd of Senghenydd, Cantref of Brenhinol (now called the Hundred of Caerphilly), County of GLAMORGAN, South Wales: a Chapel, not in charge, annexed to the Rectory of Bedwas: Patron, The Bishop of Llandaff, being holden with and annexed to the Bishoprick: Chapel dedicated to St. James. The Resident Population of this Parish, in 1801, was 239. The Money raised by the Parish Rates, in 1803, was £157..12..3. It is 7 m. N. from Caerdiff. This Parish contains about 800 acres of Land; one-third of which is uncultivated and uninclosed. Here is a mineral Spring, which is esteemed efficacious in the cure of sore Eyes. It is situate upon the river Rhymny: And is said to derive its Name from the great number of Red or Yew Trees that grow here."
From: A Topographical Dictionary of The Dominion of Wales by Nicholas Carlisle, London, 1811.

"RUDDRY (YR-YW-DRE), a parish in the hundred of CAERPHILLY, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 8 miles (N. by E.) from Cardiff, containing 276 inhabitants. This parish, which derives its name from the number of yew trees in the vicinity of the village, is pleasantly situated in a mountain valley in the eastern part of the county, and comprises but a small tract of land, of which a considerable portion is unenclosed and uncultivated. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly varied, and enlivened by the river Romney, which forms the eastern boundary of the parish ; and from the higher grounds are some richly diversified views over the adjacent country, embracing a portion of the picturesque county of Monmouth. Lead-ore has been found in the white limestone of the parish. The living is consolidated with the rectory of Bedwas, in Monmouthshire, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaf. The church, dedicated to St. James, is not remarkable for any architectural details. C. Edward Edmond, in 1743, bequeathed £2 per annum to the poor of this parish, which is regularly paid. Here is a mineral spring, which is said to be highly efficacious in curing diseases of the eye, and is much resorted to for that purpose. The poor are supported by an average annual expenditure amounting to £ 140. 4." ( A Topographical Dictionary of Wales by Samuel Lewis 1833)

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Bibliography

Here is a substantial reading list of books which relate to Glamorgan, either county or parish.

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Cemeteries

The Glamorgan Family History Society have produced a set of microfiche containing Monumental Inscriptions for the following burial grounds :-

  • Parish Church of St. James
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Churches

Anglican
St James, Rudry
Congregational / Independent
Ebenezer Independent Chapel, Rudry
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Church History

Glamorgan Chapels Database project - a list of all known non-conformist chapels or other non-Anglican religions in the parish. Here are references to the only such chapel found in this parish;-

  • Ebenezer Independent chapel(Ebeneser), Berllan-Gollen, Rudry ST19848677
    • Built in 1794, modified, altered or rebuilt 1821, 1864 and 1904
      The Chapels Recording Project in Wales (RCAHMW)
    • 1822, February 8; Independent; a chapel called Ebenezer; Griffith Hughes, Minister, William Lewis
      Dissent in the Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth by Hywel D Emanuel
    • Here is a Congregational chapel Rev David Johns in 1895 and 'erected in 1794 with 300 seats' in 1910
      Kelly's Directory, South Wales 1895 & 1910 - the Archive CD Books Cd
    • Rhydri Ind chapel, opened in 1794, closed pre 1992
      My Ancestors were Congregationalists in England and Wales, by D J H Clifford, SOG, 1992.
    • Ebenezer Ind Erected in 1821 John Jones, Ind Minister, Rhudry (1851 Religious Census)
    • Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches), 4 volumes (published 1871+). Here is the entry for this chapel (in Welsh) - with translation by Maureen Saycell (May 2009)

 Various items  - on the People's Collection Wales site

  • Ebenezer Chapel, Rudry
  • St James Church, Rudry
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Church Records

For full and up-to-date details of their holdings see the sites of Glamorgan Record Office and/or West Glamorgan Archives

See Bap/Mar/Bur data on  FreeReg

The church is dedicated to St. James

A transcription of the registers is available from the Glamorgan Family History Society for the years: Baptisms, 1703-1837, Marriages, 1717-1837, Burials, 1704-1838.

Anglican Parish Registers Held at the Glamorgan Record Office, Cardiff
BaptismsMarriagesBurialsBannsBishops Transcripts
1626-1633, 1639-1758, 1767-19371640-1665, 1696-19701637?-1666, 1695-1757, 1767-19351824-19761717, 1724-1790, 1792-1837
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Description & Travel

    Various landscapes - on the People's Collection Wales site

    You can see pictures of Rudry which are provided by:

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    Gazetteers

    The transcription of the section for Rudry from The National Gazetteer (1868) provided by Colin Hinson.

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    Historical Geography

    Some of the hamlets, towns and villages within this parish

    • Cefn-On
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    History

    Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

    • Dr William Price (Llantrisant) Papers      1697-1965         "William Price was born at Ty'n y Coedcae, the parish of Rudry, Glamorgan on 4 March 1800. He was the third son of the seven children of Rev. William Price and his wife Mary........................."

    Description & Illustrations of Morgaig Castle in Cefn-On at www.castlewales.com by Jeff Thomas

    Rudry, opening of Village Hall 1956 - on the People's Collection Wales site

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    Maps

    This diagram shows the position of this parish within the county of Glamorgan - click on this to see a full size diagram of the county

     

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    Parish map (Kain/Oliver)

    You can see maps centred on OS grid reference ST191869 (Lat/Lon: 51.574852, -3.168998), Rudry which are provided by:

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    Names, Geographical

    Places, villages, farms etc within Rudry as shown on the online parish map from the CD of Historic Parishes of England and Wales: an Electronic Map of Boundaries before 1850 with a Gazetteer and Metadata [computer file]. (Kain, R.J.P., Oliver, R.R.). (Extracted by Gareth Hicks)

    • Rudry (133); Cefn-On; Coed Coesau-whips; Cross; Garth Place; Gwaun-y-bara; Llwyn-gwyn; Mynydd Rudry; Mynydd y Bwlch; Pant-glas; Pen-how; Rudry (village); Sch.; Ty-gowla?; Ty'n-y-coedcau; Wern Ddu;
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    Newspapers

    There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
    Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

    • From The Cardiff Times 22nd March 1884

    RUDRY. ACCIDENT.—On Saturday, at the Rudry Colliery, whilst a collier named A. Gibbs (married), a resident of Caerphilly, was working in his stall, a piece of coal, weighing nearly 20 cwt, fell from the roof, crushing his right leg. He was conveyed to his home, when Dr. W. C. Price attended to his injuries

    •  From the South Wales Daily News 31st December 1890

    RUDRY. POST-OFFICE NOTICE.—A post-office has been opened at Rudry for the sale of stamps, registration of letters, and parcel-post business. Collections will be made at 9.30 a.m. and 5.15 p.m. on week days only.

    • From the South Wales Daily News 7th October 1887

    RUDRY. A PROLIFIC SOW.—On Wednesday a sow belonging to Mr Joseph Edwards, Penywain, Rudry, near Caerphilly, gave birth to a litter of 18 pigs, all living and doing remarkably well. Last year she gave birth to the same number, and the year before to 12. Thus, in three years she has bred 48 pigs

    • From the  Weekly Mail 24th January 1880

    RUDRY. TITHE AUDIT.—On Monday the Rev. W. Williams, rector of Bedwas and Rudry, held his annual tithe audit at the Griffin Inn, Rudry, when a great many farmers came together. After business was done an excellent dinner was served by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The usual loyal toasts followed, and Mr. Williams addressed the company on the present agricultural depression.

    • From the South Wales Daily News 14th July 1891

    RUDRY. MINERS' MEETING.—A largely-attended meeting of the Rudry-Merthyr Colliery workmen was held on the Rudry Mountain Recreation Grounds on Saturday. The colliery representatives- Messrs Evan Griffiths and Edmund Morgan- gave an interesting account of the work done at the delegate meetings of the Caerphilly Miners' Association, and reported very minutely on the cases now in dispute before the executive council of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Workmen's Federation.  .....(part extract).......

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    Occupations

    Various items - on the People's Collection Wales site

    • Pit wheel and mainshaft at Rudry Corn Mill.
    • Rudry Mill and stream, April 1989
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    Population

    The Population of Rudry was as follows, and a more detailed breakdown is available.

    1841 - 3281851 - 3421861 - 3291871 - 3741881 - 3871891 - 409
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    Public Records

    Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

    • Rudry Civil Parish records          "....... including tithe plan and apportionment, 1843; assistant overseers rate books, 1884-1926; assistant overseers receipt and payment book, 1925-1927; vestry and parish meeting minutes books, 1878-1905; parish council minutes books, 1894-1955; declarations of acceptance of office by parish councillors, 1894-1970; poor rate account book, 1913-1924; general account book, 1910-1967; Rudry village/parish hall committee minutes books, 1946-1970"
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    Schools

    Rudry School class - on the People's Collection Wales site