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Blaengwrach in the parish of Glyncorrwg

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"BLAEN-GWRACH, a chapelry, in the parish of GLYN-CORWO, hundred of NEATH, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 10 miles (N. E. by E.) from Neath. containing 414 inhabitants. The village is situated near the head of the vale of Neath,  . . . The river Gwrach, from which the village takes its name,  . . . frequently overflows its banks, and inundates the adjacent meadows, which become one entire sheet of water. Ynislaes, an elegant cottage built by the Hon. Windham Henry Wyndham Quin, now Earl of Dunraven and Mountearl, and for some time his own residence, occupies a beautiful situation, commanding a delightful view of the rich vale of Neath, through its whole extent. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to that of Glyn-Corwg, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaf, endowed with £800 royal bounty. There is a place of worship for Independents, which is one of the oldest in the principality. Dr. Abraham Rees, for many years minister of the Independent congregation meeting in Jewin-street, London,  . . . was born in this chapelry, while his father, Mr. Lewis Rees, was pastor of the Independent congregation here.  ..."   [A Topographical Dictionary of Wales by Samuel Lewis 1833  © Mel Lockie 2016]

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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 parish church is dedicated to St. Mary, is in the Benefice of Aberpergwm and Blaengwrach, and the Diocese of Llandaff. Details of the present incumbent of this benefice can be found at the Church in Wales website.

Anglican Parish Registers Held at the Glamorgan Record Office, Cardiff
BaptismsMarriagesBurialsBannsBishops Transcripts
-1895-19701849-19871896-19501846-1860
Held at the National Library of Wales

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

  • Aberpergwm Ecclesiastical Parish records       "....... include registers of St. Cadocs, Aberpergwm and St. Marys, Blaengwrach of marriages, 1837-1981; baptisms, 1849-1986; banns, 1895-1987; burials, 1849-1981; services, 1940-1988; churchwardens records, 1924-1949; vestry minutes, 1863-1977; parochial church council minutes, 1920-1975; church affairs, 1935-1980; church organisations, 1937-1942; civil and miscellaneous records, 1926-1959"
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Description & Travel

You can see pictures of Blaengwrach in the parish of Glyncorrwg which are provided by:

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Directories

Transcript of complete name listing for Glyn-Neath, with Aberpergwm, Glyncorrwg, Blaenwrach and Resolven, from the Post Office Directory for 1871.

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Gazetteers

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

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Maps

Map of Blaengwrach, a hamlet in the parish of Glyncorwg, Glamorgan - on the People's Collection Wales site

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SN872054 (Lat/Lon: 51.735922, -3.634914), Blaengwrach in the parish of Glyncorrwg which are provided by:

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Occupations

Cwmgwrach level on the Welsh Coal Mines site

Various items  - on People's Collection Wales

  • Modern concrete viaduct linking the mine with the washery, Blaengwrach Colliery, c.1977
  • Banner of Blaengwrach Lodge of the N.U.M 
  • Man operating an Eimco machine, Blaengwrach Mine, 1 November 1979.

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

  • Blaengwrach Lodge     "Minute books 1946-1948; Employment registers 1906-1971; Empire Colliery price list 1915; Cwmgwrach Colliery price list 1954; Schedule of wages rates 1947; National Coal Board and National Union of Mineworkers' circulars 1947-1954; Financial records 1956"
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Population

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

1841 - 4981851 - 3461861 - 2801871 - 3241881 - 2671891 - 206
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Public Records

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

  • Blaen-gwarach tithe plan and apportionment           "Photocopies [late 20th century] of tithe plan, 1846 and tithe apportionment, 1845, of Blaengwrach"