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Llandybie

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"LLANDEBIE (LLAN-DYBIEU), a parish in the union of LLANDILO-VAWR, hundred of ISCENNEN, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 5 miles (S.) from Llandilo-Vawr, containing 2534 inhabitants. This parish, which derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Tibieu, is pleasantly situated on the river Loughor, and on the great road from Llandilo to Swansea . . . The lands, of which the soil is wet and clayey, but yet fertile, are in general in a good state of cultivation, a small portion only being waste, and this consisting chiefly of the mountain of Mynydd-Mawr which is within the parish. . . The mountainous district abounds with coal and limestone, which are obtained in great quantities for the supply of the neighbouring districts, and the procuring of which affords employment to a large portion of the poorer inhabitants. A small woollen manufactory employs about a dozen hands; and there are five mills for grinding corn. . . The church is a neat plain structure, with a lofty square embattled tower, and contains about 500 sittings, of which 80 are free. There are two places of worship for Independents, two for Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, and one each for Baptists and Wesleyans; also thre day schools, in which 80 children are taught at the expense of their parents . . ." [From A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (S. Lewis, 1844).]

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Archives & Libraries

Beckley, S. Focus on Ammanford and the Amman Valley. J. of the Dyfed FHS, vol. 2, no. 3, (1986) pp.70-73. [Listing of Documentary Sources at Carmarthenshire R.O.]
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Biography

Griffiths, Pennar. Cofiant Watcyn Wyn. Cardiff, 1915

Thomas, Averil. Canon Griffith Jones (1845-1907). Dyfed FHS journal Vol7/6 Dec 2001. Griffith Jones was born in Cross Inn, the son of a labourer, became a Canon of St Asaph Cathedral.

Wynne Davies, J E (ed). Gwanwyn Duw (The Spring of God). Gwasg Pantycelyn, Caernarfon; 1982. A tribute to the Rev. Gomer Morgan Roberts, details of his life and works with a collection of essays in his honour published by his colleagues in the Historical Society, contains a full bibliography of his writings. The essays are titled;

  • John Penry A'i Genedl (Glanmor Williams)
  • Williams Hyd At Thirlwall (R Buick Knox)
  • Howel Harris: Ymgeisydd Am Ordeiniad (Griffith T Roberts)
  • Rhyfel A Gorfoledd Yng Ngwaith William Williams, Pantycelyn (Derec Llwyd Morgan)
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Business & Commerce Records

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

  • T. M. Williams, Ironmonger, Llandybie, Records 1934-1973 "
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Churches

There are more than 30 churches identified in this place. Please click here for a complete list.
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Church History

Some church and chapel data from The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 1, South Wales. Ed. by I.G Jones, & D. Williams. UWP, Cardiff, 1976. The names are those of the informants

  • Llandebie Parish Church Lewis Morgan, Vicar
  • Ebenezer, Cross Inn Baptist Erected in 1850/1 John Thomas, Secretary, Railway Station, Cross Inn
  • Cross Inn Ind Erected before 1800 Morgan Morgans, Deacon, Parkhenry, Llandebie
  • Soar, Llandefain Baptist Erected in 1808, rebuilt in 1849 Thomas Thomas, Secretary, Pistill, Nr Llandebie
  • Waenllan Welsh WM Erected before 1810 Rees Morris, Secretary, Cilcoll, Nr Llandebie
  • Llandebie Chapel CM Erected in 1829 George Griffiths, Secretary, Draper & Grocer, Llandebie
  • Hendre CM Erected in 1812 John Morris, Secretary, Dderwn, Llandebie
  • There is a return for an Independent chapel missing here
  • Penygroes Ind Erected in 1825 John Evans, Deacon, Near Llandebie
  • Saron, Blinog Hamlet Baptist Erected in 1814 Benjamin Thomas, Officiating Minister, Tyrplasgwyn, Llandebie
  •  
  • See also under Bettws parish

Llandybie Church - on the Ammanford site

Parish entry for Llandebie from The Welsh Church Year Book, 1929 (Cd by (Archive CD Books).

  • St Tybie & St David's, Saron & Penygroes Mission Church
  • Incumbent and Curates; G Jones
  • Rural Deanery of Llandilo
  • Acreage 10,798; Population 6,530

Parish entry for Cwmamman from The Welsh Church Year Book, 1929 (Cd by (Archive CD Books).

  • Christ Church & Llanfair & St Margaret & St David
  • Incumbent and Curates; W A Jones (B Davies, A O J Thomas)
  • Rural Deanery of Llandilo
  • Acreage --- ; Population 11,810

Parish entry for Bettws with Ammanford from The Welsh Church Year Book, 1929 (Cd by (Archive CD Books).

  • St David & St Michael's, Ammanford & All Saints
  • Incumbent and Curates; R H Roberts (W C Lewis)
  • Rural Deanery of Llandilo
  • Acreage 6,511 ; Population 7,964

    See the Cwmgors/Waun site for a history database of Amman Valley chapels and churches

    Various items - on the People's Collection Wales site

    • Photograph: Capel Newydd y Betws Sunday school, Ammanford 1955  
    • Postcard of Norton Road, Penygroes, Ammanford showing Jerusalem Methodist Chapel.

    Cwmamman Auxiliary of the British & Foreign Bible Society. Subscribers' List from the 1931-1932 report, compiled by Rina Callingham

      Davies, W M. Hanes Cychwyniad a chynydd y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd yn Nosbarth yr Hendre [A History of the Rise and Progress of the Calvinistic Methodists in the Hendre District]. Llanelli, 1908.

      James, John. 150 mlynedd y Christian Temple (Gellimanwydd), Rhydaman: cyfarfodydd dathlu'r iwbili. (Merthyr Tydfil, 1932), [16]p.

      Lewis, T.H. Sion, Llandybïe: braslun o'i hanes, 1895-1945, (Porth, 1945), 24p.

      Richards, John. Hanes eglwys y Christian Temple, Ammanford: papyr a ddarllenwyd yn nghyfarfodydd jubili yr eglwys uchod, dydd Llun, Mehefin 15fed 1903, (Ammanford, 1903), 8p.

      Rhys, W.J. Braslun o hanes Carmel, ger Llandybie: erbyn dathlu canmlwyddiant y corfforiad, Mai 1960 [A Brief History of Carmel, near Llandybie]. Llandysul, Gwasg Gomer (1960) 91 p., [6]p. of pl., ill., ports.

      Thomas, Eirina. Llandybie Church. Amrywiaeth Llanelli Miscellany (1990), p. 15-18

      Thomas, Rachel. Christian Temple: eglwys Annibynnol Gellimanwydd, Rhydaman, 1782-1982, (Abertawe, 1982), 72p.

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      Church Records

      Dyfed FHS have photographs and data relating to various churches and chapels on their site

      Parish registers: Christenings (1695-1765, 1778-1919), Marriages (1695-1925), Banns (1823-63, 1866-1962) and Burials (1695-1765, 1778-1948) are at the Carmarthenshire Record Office.

      Copy ts PR index CB (1813-75) M (1695-1875) at NLW and Carm.RO

      Bishops' Transcripts, covering the period (1672, 1677-8, 1681-2, 1711, 1713, 1717-22, 1724-5, 1730-3, 1735-7, 1739-57, 1761, 1763, 1767-73, 1776-84, 1787-99, 1802-70) are at the National Library of Wales, and have been microfilmed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

      Marriage index for this parish - see Dyfed Marriages, 1813-1837, Vol. 18 - Iscennin Hundred (Dyfed Family History Society, c1989)

      See Bap/Mar/Bur data on FreeReg

      Nonconformist Chapels: (See also the Cwmgors/Waun site for a database of Amman Valley chapels and churches)

      • Ammanford English Baptist Church began with the revival of 1904-5 and the expansion of the anthracite coal-mining industry; this attracted an increasing number of English-speakers to the area, which created the need to establish an English-language Baptist church. At this time Non-Welsh speakers from Monmouthshire were attending services at Ebeneser, with 20 members being released in 1905 to form the new English Baptist Church. In 1905 services were being held on Brynmawr Lane in a building of Ysgol y Gwynfryn, which had been founded in 1880 and occupied a former barn. In the early years of the churches formation the congregation paid rent to the academy, but by 1910 the church had acquired the building.... coflein
      • Bethel Baptist Sunday School, Pantyffynnon -  was built in 1904  coflein
      • Calfaria (Baptist, 1896), Penygroes On Dyfed FHS
      • Ebenezer, Lloyd St, Ammanford (Baptist, 1848) On Dyfed FHS
      • Salem (Baptist, 1905) Campbell Rd, Llandybie See Capeli (2006 list of chapels under threat) On Dyfed FHS
      • Saron (Baptist, c1810), Saron New & Old Saron Baptist chapels on Dyfed FHS
      • Soar (Baptist, 1750) Cefnblewyn, Llandyfan SN63541804 Formed in 1788, chapel built 1808 and rebuilt in 1849. Status (1998): in chapel use. Coflein The History of Llandybie by Gomer Roberts mentions a church book dating back to at least 1834
        Soar Baptist Chapel, Llandyfan ;- a Richard Hicks was a trustee (with others) in a 99 year lease from Lord Robert Seymour in 1808/9
      • Piscah Baptist, Penybanc, Ammanford On Dyfed FHS
      • Zion (Seion) Welsh Baptist chapel, Llandybie Rd, Ammanford SN6258513046 Branch of Ebenezer Welsh Baptist Church, Ammanford and known locally as the iron chapel, or as "Zion zinc" Status (1997): demolished. Coflein
      • Bethany (Calvinistic Methodist, 1881). On Dyfed FHS Bethani Rhydaman CM chapel - still open in 2006
      • BETHEL CHAPEL, WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST,  CAE'R BRYN, PENYGROES - built in 1911, ......as a branch to Gosen, Llandybie . By 1997 the chapel had been converted for use as a store room. coflein
      • Elim CM chapel, Llandybie Rd, Tir-y-dail SN6260812925 Built 1906, still open in 2000 Coflein On Dyfed FHS
      • Capel Hendre (Calvinistic Methodist, 1775?): births and baptisms (1812-37) PRO RG4/3892, LDS 828113, IGI SN59411121 Built 1812; rebuilt/modified 1841/2, 1879 & 1900.Status (2000): in chapel use. Coflein On Dyfed FHS Hendre CM chapel, Heol yr Hendre, Capel Hendre - still open in 2006
      • Gosen (Calvinistic Methodist, 1739), Llandybie village Baptisms (1861-80) NLW CMA 8916; baptisms (1906-57) NLW CMA II E115/1. On Dyfed FHS Gosen Llandybie CM chapel - still open 2006 See Bap/Mar/Bur data on FreeReg
      • Jerusalem (Calvinistic Methodist, 1879), Penygroes On Dyfed FHS Jerusalem CM chapel, Heol Norton, Penygroes - still open in 2006
      • Gibea CM chapel, Cwmgwili, Llandybie parish Built 1899. Status (2000): in chapel use. Coflein See John Ball's site Welsh Churches and Chapels Collection for a photograph/data On Dyfed FHS
      • PENIEL ENGLISH CALVINISTIC METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL., PANTYFFYNNON - built in 1905 as a branch of Bethani Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel  coflein
      • English Congregational Church, Iscennen Rd/Talbot Rd, Ammanford SN6276312445 Built 1913 Status (1997): in chapel use. Coflein On Dyfed FHS
      • Gwynfryn Ind chapel, College St, Ammanford On Dyfed FHS Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006)
      • Gellimanwydd (Christian Temple) Ind chapel, Ammanford (1775) Called Cross Inn Independent chapel in Rawlins On Dyfed FHS Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006)
        Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches) 4 volumes (published 1871+). Here is the entry from this book for this chapel (in Welsh ) - with translation by Gareth Hicks (Nov 2008)
      • Penygroes (Independent, 1823) Heol-y-Gat, Penygroes On Dyfed FHS Capel Sgwar Ind chapel, Pen-y-groes (no parish) [same place?] - Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006)
        Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches),4 volumes (published 1871+). Here is the entry from this book for this chapel (in Welsh ) - translated by Eleri Rowlands (Oct 2008)
      • Mynydd Seion Ind chapel, Peny-groes, (no parish) - Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006) On Dyfed FHS
      • PENIEL WELSH INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, CAER BRYN - Built in 1910, now  a store room  coflein
      • Pentregwenlais Ind Sunday school  - was built c.1894 but by 1998 had been converted into residential use. coflein
      • Seion Ind chapel, Llandybie - Shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006) On Dyfed FHS
      • Nebo Welsh Ind Sunday School, Cathelas, nr Ammanford SN64551409 Built 1901 Status (1997): in Sunday School use Coflein
      • Tabernacl Independent Sunday School  - was built in 1894, in the Simple Round-Headed style of the gable entry type. By 1998 the chapel had been converted into a workshop.  coflein
      • Tir-y-Dail, College St (Wesleyan Methodist, 1881): records with those of Waenllan SN6265112845 Began pre 1881 Built 1892 & rebuilt 1905. Status (1998): demolished. Coflein
      • Wesleyan Methodist, Harold St/Station Rd/Dyfryn Rd, Tir-y-dail SN6256012772 Coflein
      • English Wesleyan Methodist, Wind St, Ammanford SN6288112202 Built 1875 Status (1997): not in chapel use Coflein
      • Waenllan (Wesleyan Methodist, 1806): see Wesleyan Chapel (Llandeilo Fawr), Llandybie village SN61791542 Built 1809, rebuilt/modified 1841 & renovated 1851; rebuilt 1884 Status (1997): other Coflein
      •  
      • OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, MARGARET STREET, AMMANFORD - originally a former meeting hall converted for use by the church in 1926. A new church was built on the site in 2004  coflein
      • Evangelical Church, Ammanford On Dyfed FHS
      • Evangelical Church, Penygroes On Dyfed FHS
      • Gospel Hall English Pentecostal Chapel, Lloyd St, Ammanford SN6311412074 Built c 1920 Status (1998): in chapel use. Coflein
      • Apostolic Church, Iscennen Rd/Talbot Rd, Ammanford SN6273612438 Built c1910-15 Status in 2000: Chapel Coflein On Dyfed FHS
      • APOSTOLIC TEMPLE, PEN-Y-GROES - built in 1904  coflein
      • Ebenezer (Apostolic) chapel, Ammanford Rd/Rawlings Rd, Llandybie SN61931522 Built in 1922 Status (2002): Chapel. Coflein On Dyfed FHS

      Ammanford/Rhydaman, All Saints
      Christenings (1915-40) Marriages (1915-23, 1935-43, 1953-71) Banns (1915-73) are at the Carmarthenshire Record Office.

      Cwmaman [formed out of Betws, Llandybie, Llandeilo fawr and Llangiwg in 1843]
      Christenings (1840-1930) Marriages (1842-1948) Banns (1842-67, 1887-1949) Burials (1842-1959) at Carm. RO
      BTs ; 1840-52, 1854-67, 1869-74 NLW

      New Saron Chapel photograph and Old Saron Chapel photograph from Dyfed FHS.

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      Description & Travel

      The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 1, South Wales., byJones, I.G. & Williams, D. UWP, Cardiff, 1976. These statistics for this parish are extracted from this book which in turn got them from the 1851 census itself;

      • Area 10710 acres; Population 1406 males, 1479 females, total 2885

        Llandybie Lime Kilns - on David Kitching's site

        Various landscapes of Ammanford  - on the People's Collection Wales site

        This is an extract from the Llanelly section of Pigot's Directory of South Wales, 1844.

        • Conveyance by Railway; The Llanelly Railway & Dock Company's Trains leave the New Dock, for Cwm Ammon [sic] and Cross Inn, every morning at half-past six and nine, and afternoon at half-past twelve and three.
          Parcels and merchandise are forwarded from Cross Inn Station by Nathaniel Rees' Waggons, to Llandilo, Llangadock, Llandovery, and all places adjacent
          You can see pictures of Llandybie which are provided by:

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          Directories

          Kelly's Directory of South Wales, 1910. Here are Extracts relating to Ammanford

          Kelly's Directory of South Wales, 1923. Here are Extracts relating to Ammanford

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          Emigration & Immigration

          Jones, Bill & Dr Huw Walters. On the American Frontiers: Amman Valley Emigrants in Texas, 1879-1880. The Carmarthenshire Antiquary, 37/2001. This article describes the background of the emigration to Texas of Hopkin Hopkin and his family from Gwauncaegurwen, a journey that started at Brynaman Station. Hopkin had links to Carmel, GCG; Bethesda, Cwmamman; and the famous Swansea Valley based choral society of Ivander Griffiths. They went to New Philadelphia under the scheme known as the Texas Freehold Farm and Emigration Company Ltd., one of whose key promoters was Mabon. They were in the first group from South Wales, the other family being that of George and Catherine Davies from Ton Pentre, Rhondda.There are quotations from letters from Hopkin home to GCG, published in Tarian y Gweithiwr; people they met in Texas included; in Dallas, Elias Thomas of Neath; in McAlaster(now in Oklahoma), John Williams of Glynbeudy, Brynaman; and in New Cambria (near Jacksboro), Morgan and Mary Hughes who had links to Ty'nywern Farm, Glanaman.
          Includes biographical notes on Hopkin Hopkin by Rina Callingham

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          Gazetteers

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

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          Genealogy

          Carmarthenshire Families

          Held at Carmarthen Archives;

          • Wills and material relating to the Davies family of Ammanford, inc. the deeds of Glynreithin,C19-C20.
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          History

          See Not everyone knows this.. for random snippets about this parish

          Page from midwifery case register, Ammanford area.  1904 - 1915 - on the People's Collection Wales site

          Ammanford - Terry Norman's site . A treasure trove of local history articles, for example ;- THE DYNEVORS - FROM DYNASTY TO DINOSAUR A brief history of a Carmarthenshire dynasty and the building of Ammanford

          THE ARCHAEOLOGY AND EARLY HISTORY OF AMMANFORD "...a brief summary of the archaeology of Llandybie, the Amman Valley, and Betws taken from the Amman Valley Heritage Audit prepared by Cambria Archeology in January 2003 (Report No: 2003/5), by Paul Sambrook and Jenny Hall). The study area encompasses the modern parishes of Llandybie, Llanfiangel Aberbythych (Carmel), Cyngor Bro Dyffryn Cennen, Cwmamman, Llandadog and Quarter Bach (Brynamman) to the north of Ammanford and Llanedi, Betws and Gwaun Cae Gurwen to the south.." - on Terry Norman's site

          Edwards, Hywel Teifi [ed.] Cwm Aman [Amman Valley] .Gomer 1996. In Welsh. Here is a list of chapter headings and photographs

          Evans DA & Walters H. Dyffryn Aman 'Slawer Dydd [The Amman Valley Long Ago: A Collection of Photographs];Gomer 1987. Bilingual. Here is the book's introduction and an Index by Gareth Hicks

          Lewis, Brian The Amman Valley: A Photographic Portrait. (1996). Here is an Index by Gareth Hicks

          Llandybie: 1940-1990, Llandybie, Llandybie Village Community Project (1990) 96 p., ill. (some col), ports.

          Lloyd, Sir John E., (Ed.). A History of Carmarthenshire (2 vols.), Cardiff, London Carmarthenshire Society (1935, 1939). Extracts from this book can be accessed on some parish pages, see here for this parish.

          Locksmith, W T H. Ammanford: Origin of Street Names and Notable Historical Records. Cultural Services Department, County Hall, Carmarthen, 2000 ?.

          Roberts, Gomer M. Hanes plwyf Llandybie. Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru dros Gyngor yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, 1939. 334p: ill, map, folded; 21cm. See also below

          Roberts, G.R. The History of the Parish of Llandybie, Ivor Griffiths (1995).Translation of Gomer Roberts' original. (1939). Here is a contents listing and an Index by Gareth Hicks, and here are snippets from the book.

          Rowlands, J. Llandebie. In Historical Notes of the Counties of Glamorgan, Carmarthen, & Cardigan, and a list of the Members of Parliament for South Wales, from Henry VIII, to Charles II., Cardiff, Hugh Bird (1866), pp.54-58.

          Walters, Huw [Dr]. Canu'r Pwll a'r Pulpud. Cyhoeddiadau Barddas, Swansea; 1987, 397 pp. A study of the Welsh culture of the anthracite coalfield before 1914 - particularly Brynaman, and the Aman Valley areas. There are chapters on folk-lore, growth of industry and population, nonconformity, the eisteddfod etc. It brought the author the Welsh Arts Council Prize for the best work of literary criticism in 1988, the Board of Celtic Studies Prize and the Sir Ellis Jones Ellis-Griffith Prize in 1989. Here is a translation of the Preface by Professor Caerwyn William, list of Contents and brief Introduction.

          Extracts from A History of Carmarthenshire Lloyd, Sir John E., (Ed.). 2 vols., Cardiff, London Carmarthenshire Society (1935, 1939)

          The Later Middle Ages; Iscennen---The Commote

          • "Near the castle of Carregcennen were the demesne lands of the maerdref of its former arglwydd.........the commote west and south of the demesne and forest lands was divided into maenors. Maenors Vouwen and Gryngar, bordering on Kidwelly commote, corresponded roughly to the ancient ecclesiastical parishes of Llanarthney and Llanddarog;  Maenors Llys and Methennich to Llanfihangel Aberbythych and Llandybie; and, 'between Amman River and the lordship of Gower, bounded by Cathau brook and Lle'r Castell' was Maenor Bettws or Stryveland."
          • "............the gwestfa paying areas were peopled by descendents of the Welsh freemen. They also paid dofraeth; this was regarded as an imposition ' against the liberty of the men of Iscennen'..............there was also the tribute of the equivalent of forty cows paid triennially..............and the freemen 'beyond Amman' (that is of Maenor Bettws) paid a separate 'rent of assize'............."
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          Land & Property

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

          • Stepney of Llanelli additional collection Includes; "Rent books relating to property in Llannon, Llandybie, and Llanedi, Carmarthenshire, 1909-1953............."

          Documents at the National Library of Wales:

          • Records of the "Glanamman Lodge" of the True Ivorites, Ammanford, 1840-1946.
          • Estate and family records of Lewes of Llysnewydd, parish of Llangeler, and Dyffryn, parish of Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, mainly C16-C20.

          Derwydd, various - on the People's Collection Wales site

          Held at Carmarthen Archives;

          • Printed tithe apportionments 1841-1843 for Llandybie, Llanfynydd and Llandeilo fawr parishes.
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          Maps

          The parish of Llandybie in the County of Carmarthen - on the People's Collection Wales site

          Parish map(Kain/Oliver)

          You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SN619144 (Lat/Lon: 51.810694, -4.00516), Llandybie which are provided by:

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          Names, Geographical

          Place Names in the Amman Valley - on Terry Norman's site

          Places, villages, farms etc within Llandybie as shown on the online parish map from the CD of Historic Parishes of England and Wales: an Electronic Map of Boundaries before 1850 with a Gazetteer and Metadata [computer file]. (Kain, R.J.P., Oliver, R.R.). (Extracted by Gareth Hicks)

          • Llandybie (27); Afon Cennen; Afon Lash; Afon Marlais; Ammanford Urban; Blaenau; Bryn-beddau; Bryn Marlais; Bryn-hyfryd; Cae'r-bryn; Capel-hendre (village); Castell-y-graig; Cathilas; Cilcoll; Cwm-Gwili; Cwm Llwchwr; Derwydd; Dyffryn; Garn-bica; Glyn-coch; Glyn-hir; Glyn-hir-uchaf; Glyn-y-meirch; Glyn-yr-henllan; Llandybie (village); Meadows Br.; Morfa; Myddyn-fych; Nant-y-creigle; Pant-y-bryn; Pant-y-ffynnon (village); Pant-yr-odyn; Pen-deri-croes; Pentre Gwenlais; Pen y banc; Pen-y-groes; Piodau-fawr; Pistyll; Pont Amman; River Loughor; Saron (village); Thornhill; Tir-y-dail; Ty-
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          Newspapers

          Extracts from newspapers - Ammanford

          "Glo-man is the papur bro (local Welsh language newspaper) for Ammanford and the Amman Valley, first published in September 1977. Issues 1-49 of 'Glo-man', 1977-1982; and calendars printed with reproductions of old photographs of the Aman Valley, 1981-1984 are held at Carmarthenshire Archives Services." [From Archives Network Wales]

          "The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News was established in 1913 in Ammanford. It was absorbed by the South Wales Guardian Group, publishers of the South Wales Guardian, in 1959, which then became the South Wales Guardian and Amman Valley Chronicle. The newspaper is now part of the Newsquest Media Group. Copies of South Wales Guardian, 1983, and bound copies, 1969-1971; and copy of Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News, 12 October 1950 are held at Carmarthenshire Archives Services" [From Archives Network Wales]

          Excerpts from the the Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthenshire News .  Contributed by David Smith. Now included here

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          Occupations

          Various items  - on the People's Collection Wales site

          • Ammanford Colliery, 1974, Gerald Gibson drilling a shot hole on the coal face.
          • Ammanford Colliery, 1974, a journey of empty drams being lowered into the slant
          • Ammanford Colliery, 1974, Mr P.A. Jones, Safety Officer inspecting the roof on the last coal face.
          • Ammanford mining strike in August 1925
          • Photographed by Geoff Charles. Most of the employees of the Pullman Factory, Ammanford, had previously been employed in the coalmining industry. 1950
          • Ammanford Colliery and Brickworks pre 1920
          • Bettws Drift Mine.
          • Black and white film negative showing Ammanford Colliery yard, 19 February 1977. + many others
          • Photograph of Corgi Hosiery, Ammanford workers early 1950s
          • BLAINA COLLIERY

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

          • Pwll-y-Lord Colliery, Llandybie, Notes 1980 "Pwll-y-Lord Colliery was located between Blaenau and Saron in the parish of Llandybie.."

          Davies, Ifor. History of Coal Mining in the Amman Valley . Bi-lingual. Published by the author, 2001. Here is a list of chapter headings and photographs.

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          Public Records

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

          • Llandybie Parish Council Records 1837-1971
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          Religion & Religious Life

          Article in the Carmarthenshire Historian, 1978 ) (offline Oct 2015)

          Sin-eating in the Amman Valley  By HUW WALTERS, B.LIB. "....No doubt the proclamation of the Gospel and the elevated faith which its great truths bring in its train, broke the fascination, the charm and power of many of these superstitions, but they lingered even until the last forty or fifty years  - indeed the superstition of the sin-eater is said to linger even now in the secluded vale of Cwmaman in Carmarthenshire . ."  (Paxton Hood, Christmas Evans, the Preacher of Wild Wales, London, 1881.)

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          Social Life & Customs

          Ammanford Band c1910  - on the People's Collection Wales site

          Davies, Howard G. The Centenary History of Amman United Rugby Football Club, 1903 - 2003. (Roll Along, Amman United, Roll Along) 2003. Here is a Contents listing and a listing of photographs by Gareth Hicks

          Smith, Beverley. 'James Griffiths: An Appreciation' in James Griffiths and His Times [s.l.: s.n.]. 1977. An illuminating essay on the culture of the Aman Valley area

          Walters, Huw. Cynnwrf Canrif : Agweddau Ar Ddiwylliant Gwern. Cyhoeddiadau Barddas, Abertawe, 2004. ISBN: 1900437678. Paperback, 372p.
          A comprehensive collection of eight interesting and informative essays reflecting various aspects of the rich folk culture of the Aman and other south Wales valleys in the 19th century, written by a thorough researcher. Here is a review of the book by Tegwyn Jones (in Welsh)