Place:Brynmawr, Breconshire, Wales

source: Family History Library Catalog

the text in this section is based on an article in Wikipedia

Brynmawr (pronounced brin-MOWR, Welsh: [brɨnˈmaur], sometimes hyphenated to Bryn-mawr) is a market town now in Blaenau Gwent, in the southern part of Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level and is at the head of the South Wales Valleys. It grew with the development of the coal mining and iron industries in the early 19th century. Until the reorganisation of local authorities in 1974, Brynmawr was located within the county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.

According to the UK census of 2011 Brynmawr had a population of 5,530.

History

the text in this section is based on an article in Wikipedia

Prior to the Industrial Revolution Brynmawr was a small village settlement called Gwaun Helygen (Cors Helygen in Modern Welsh, meaning "marsh of the willow" in English), and lay in the former county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire. With the expansion of the Nantyglo Ironworks in the early 19th century, housing was required for the workers and Brynmawr turned into a prosperous town. (Source: Wikipedia])

Research Tips

• A 1900 Ordnance Survey map of the historic county of Breconshire is available on the A Vision of Britain through Time website. This shows all the old parishes within their urban and rural districts. Large farms and estates are also marked.