Mary,
Some years ago I bought the GFHS booklets Jeff refers to and they are excellent. But they
are only indexes to the records. They make it much easier to use the original records but
do not give all the information found in the latter; in particular they do not give the
names of marriage witnesses or baptismal sponsors. (The names of marriage witnesses are
given in the civil marriage certificate but the names given in Catholic church records are
occasionally different. The baptismal sponsors are not generally available except in the
original records - or in the photocopies presumably still held at Merthyr Central
Library).
I haven't looked at the St Illtyd's records for about fifteen years but I do
remember that some of the entries are very hard to read because of bad handwriting or now
unfamiliar abbreviations. Some entries are in Latin but surnames are usually spelled as in
English.
Don't be surprised if baptisms sometimes took place a bit before the birthdate given
in the civil registration. This was because it was easier for everyone concerned if the
registration of the birth appeared timely.
As David suggested, before your nephew goes to Merthyr you should phone the library to
check on the availability of the records and the opening hours during his visit. If you
try to phone the number David gave (01685 353480) from outside the UK, you should dial
44 1685 353480.
Use Google maps to find "Merthyr Tydfil Central Library" and "St
Illtyd's RC Church, Dowlais".
Again as David suggested, now that copies are available in the Merthyr Library, the parish
priest of St Illtyd's may be less willing than before to allow viewing of the original
records. If you do want to contact the church, the number given by Google maps is +44 1685
723600 (that's 01685 723600 from within the UK).
Good luck to your nephew! Merthyr is still an interesting place but it has changed a lot
since 1876.
Sean
currently in Montreal
________________________________
From: Jeff Coleman <Jeff.Coleman(a)ntlworld.com>
To: Mary <omar(a)graytones.com>; glamorgan(a)rootsweb.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: [GLA] St Illtyd's parish records needed
Mary
I assume that you already know that Glamorgan Family History Society have
published the parish records for Dowlais St Illtyd's from 1836 to 1900. They
may be found on the 'GFHS Booklet publications' link on the Glamorgan Family
History Society web site.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wlsglfhs/book1.htm#Parish Registersou may find that
Also on the Glamorgan FHS web site are links to where you can order GFHS
publications online.
If you or your nephew are members of GFHS you could of course use the
look-up service.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary" <omar(a)graytones.com>
To: <glamorgan(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 12:48 AM
Subject: [GLA] St Illtyd's parish records needed
Hello Everyone, I really hope someone can help my nephew and me.