High Resolution Photographs of Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys

Rhondda Valleys Information and History

Rhondda Valleys - Llanwonno.

Before the Rhondda became heavily populated and for some time afterwards, many 'Rhondda' families worshipped, got baptised, married, and buried their loved ones at the lovely church of St Gwynno's. There then became a need for larger communal burial grounds, and thus in the 1880's cemeteries like the ones at Trealaw, Treorchy and Ferndale were opened. During its use as a burial ground there were over 10,000 burials in the grounds of the 7th century Llanwonno (Llanwynno) church.

In researching my personal family history I found that some of my ancestors were laid to rest in the church grounds during Victorian times. Morris Evans was born in Darowen, Montgomeryshire and had moved to the Rhondda - via Rhymney - to find a better life for his family. He had set up home in Ferndale, a widowed miner with three children, and died in the 1890's. Llanwonno is a remote and peaceful place to visit.

Llanwonno Churchyard is also the burial place of the famous runner - Griffith Morgan - known as Guto Nythbran.

The 7th century Llanwonno Church, Rhondda Valleys	Llanwonno Church	Llanwonno Church
Llanwonno Church	The view from Llanwonno	Rhondda Valleys, Llanwonno, St Gwynno's Church 1965
Rhondda Valleys, Llanwonno Churchyard, Griffith Morgan's (Guto Nythbran) Headstone 1965

Here is a great photo of Llanwonno taken and worked on by regular contributor Russ Thomas.

Llanwonno photgraph by Russ Thomas

If you have any photos or postcards to share with us please scan them in at least 1280 pixels width and email them to us here.

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There is an excellent new website with high resolution old photos of the United Kingdom (including the Rhondda Valleys) at www.oldukphotos.com
If you have any old family photos or pictures of the towns and villages please scan them in at least 1280 pixels width and email them here.

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