Dyfed Family History Resources – comprising Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion (previously Cardiganshire) and Pembrokeshire

This page is dedicated to researchers of family history and other individuals who are tracing lost relatives and ancestors from the preserved county of Dyfed.

Dyfed was only formed as an administrative county council in 1974, merging the administrative counties of Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Only twenty years’ later, Dyfed was abolished and the original three counties reinstated – although Cardiganshire was renamed Ceredigion. However, Dyfed continued as a ‘preserved’ county for ceremonial purposes.

You will find a range of resources available on our page including parish records, societies and newspaper archives.

The Dyfed Family History Society

The Dyfed Family History Society was founded in 1982 and has branches spread throughout the Dyfed region (i.e. Cardigan, Carmarthen, Llandovery, Llanelli and Haverfordwest). There is even a branch in London. These branches hold regular meetings and members receive a Journal 3 times a year.

Record Offices

There is a record office, holding historical archives, based at each of the three counties comprising the preserved county of Dyfed:

Carmarthenshire Archive Service
Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies
Ceredigion Archives

Dyfed Births, marriages and deaths

Here are some useful links from the subscription based FindMyPast to assist your research:

Births

Carmarthenshire Baptisms
Pembrokeshire Baptisms

Marriages

Carmarthenshire Marriages and Banns
Pembrokeshire Marriages and Banns

Burials – including memorial inscriptions

Carmarthenshire Burials
Pembrokeshire Burials

Dyfed Newspaper Archives

Local newspaper archives and archived journals are an excellent family history resource. Information can often be found that is not available from other well trodden family history sources (such as births, marriages and deaths records, parish records, or censuses). Also, archived newspaper announcements, and other articles found in historical newspapers, can often provide greater insight into the lives of our ancestors. 

The British Newspaper Archive (subscription required) holds digital copies of local newspapers from the Dyfed region. Visit the links provided for Cardiganshire (now called Ceredigion ) newspaper archives and Carmarthenshire newspaper archives.