Peter Appleton <peter.appleton3(a)ntlworld.com> wrote:
First the easy question: what is the correct spelling, is it Breconshire or
Breckonshire?
Secondly, is there a definite community called Brecon (or Breckon) or is
this just the name of a region (like Cleveland is just the name of the
region where my ancestors settled)?
Finally, could some one please advise me of any online sources covering
Brec(k)onshire for the period pre-1871?
==================
Dear Peter,
Welcome to the Breconshire and Powys Lists.
1. There are two widely accepted English spellings of the county name:
Brecknockshire and Breconshire. The spelling "Breckonshire" that you quoted
is not correct.
In Welsh, the county name is Brycheiniog.
2. There is a county of Breconshire and a town called Brecon. The
alternative spellings are Brecknockshire (the county) and Brecknock (the
town). The spelling "Breckon" that you quoted is not correct.
In Welsh, the name of the town is Aberhonddu.
Confusingly, the county name is often shortened from Breconshire to Brecon
(or from Brecknockshire to Brecknock). This can make it difficult to know
whether reference is being made to the county or to the town.
3. Probably the best place to start exploring Breconshire on the Internet is
the relevant page on the GENUKI website. Go to:
http://www.rapidagent.co.uk/genuki/BRE/
Kind regards,
John
----------------------------
John Ball, Ystalyfera, South Wales, UK
E-mail: wfha(a)clara.co.uk
Homepage:
http://home.clara.net/wfha/
Welsh Family History Archive:
http://home.clara.net/wfha/wales/
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