Add to this the following local resources
Ystradgynlais Library
http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=710&L=0
Ystalyfera Library
http://www.npt.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2165
Ystradgynlais Family History Society
http://www.npt.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2165
I suspect that the latter may be worth contacting initially.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Theo & Anna Brueton" <bruetons(a)anoeth.demon.co.uk>
To: <AnnaDinahThomas(a)aol.com>; <glamorgan(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [GLA] Ystalyfera records
Hi Anna
Most records for Ystayfera are at West Glamorgan Archives, in
Swansea. If you want to combine this with tourism, you might
consider staying somewhere on the Gower peninsula.
Records for Pencarreg and Llangadog are at Carmarthen Archives, and
for Ystradgynlais at Powys Archives in Llandrindod Wells. Carmarthen
can be reached easily from Swansea, but you might need to find
somewhere to stay at Llandrindod if you have a lot of research to do
there. Ystradgynlais is a bit tricky as it's on the border with
Glamorgan, so some of the relevant records (eg estate records) might
be at Swansea.
Some records you might want to access (eg Bishops' transcripts) are
at the National Library in Aberystwyth. If you are visiting during
the university vacation you can stay very cheaply at university
accommodation, which is very close to the Library.
I'm sure you know that you will get the most out of your visit if you
do as much research as possible before you go, and know exactly what
you want to look at - though of course things are not always as simple as
that!
Best wishes
Anna
At 10:16 29/02/2012, AnnaDinahThomas(a)aol.com wrote:
>I'm hoping to go on holiday in Wales this year and would wish to combine
>it
> with some family resarch. I and my husband both have ancestors who
> lived
>in Ystalyfera of the common Davies and Thomas varieties! Where can I find
>records? With these 'common' names on line records bring up numerous
>records and I would like to be able to thin these out by accessing
>more local
>records. My family are also from Carmarthenshire (Llangadock/Pencarreg),
>Ystradgynlais in Breconshire and the Rhondda Valley in Glamorgan. Any
>suggestions about the best area to stay in and to find records?
>
>TIA
>
>Anna Thomas