Place:Llanfair, Merionethshire, Wales

source: Family History Library Catalog

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

Llanfair is a village and community (or parish) in the former Meirionnydd District of Gwynedd in Wales. It had a population of 474 at the UK census of 2001, reducing to 453 at the 2011 census. Prior to 1974 Llanfair was located in the historic county of Merionethshire.

The village of Llanfair is situated to the east of the A496 coastal road between Llanbedr and Harlech.

The parish church of St. Mair (St. Mary), dating from the 12th century, was restored in the 19th century. It is a grade II* listed building.

The Chwarel Hen slate quarry, which operated in the 19th and early 20th century, is situated close to the village.

Slate tiles (shaped from the natural material) were a very popular roofing material for housing up until 1950. For the most part, they have been replaced by clay tiles or concrete tiles, but slate is still used.

Research Tips

• A 1900 Ordnance Survey map of the historic county of Merionethshire 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.