Photographic Archives in Anglesey
Anglesey, Holyhead Market 1908.
The idea for, and the implementation of a site that preserved North Wales photographs were originally thanks to Frank Armstrong. With a desire to preserve the extensive – and now historically important – work done by the photographers of the various postcard companies, Frank launched Times Past, and began an important historical reference site.
In December 2004, due to other commitments Frank was unable to continue with the site, and I therefore took up the banner of webmaster. Update: Sadly, Frank Armstrong passed away in February 2007. Rest in Peace Frank.
Thanks to Mr Haydn Morris and others like him I have launched thousands of photographic and postcard images.
The aim of this site has always been to make these images available to everyone with an interest in the pictorial history of North Wales. If you are a collector of North Wales photographic postcards or photographs, or indeed if you just have a couple of old photos or postcards in the draw, we would really appreciate it if you were able to get them scanned and emailed to us. Thus we will build a portfolio of North Wales postcards to be proud of, which may be kept online in perpetuity.
Most people are interested in old photographs, if only to see how their own town or village looked in times past. For this reason, I intend sorting the images by that criteria, as one is then able to look at each town individually. Eventually, from just the images that I already have, there will be thousands of excellent photographs on this site for you to enjoy free.
I am claiming artistic licence here, in that not all of these castles are in North Wales, however, they are all in Wales, and are worthy of inclusion here. The castles are an important part of our heritage, notwithstanding the fact that some were built by the
Rhosyr (now named Newborough) on Anglesey, North Wales. The remains of a court at Newborough (known as Rhosyr up till the 14th century, and Rhosfair before that) was discovered in the late 1990s. It was once one of five such courts on Anglesey. In mediaeval times the
The town of Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll on Anglesey boasts the longest place name in the world. It was however originally called just Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll. With 58 letters, the full version is as the picture caption above. The railway station has been refurbished by James Pringle Weavers and shares
Llanerchymedd – once known as Y Llan – was once a thriving market town, but long since ceased. A mostly agricultural community since Llangefni took over as the prime livestock market. Only the odd shop still exists in the town and several small pubs. Where is Llanerchymedd
A market town on Anglesey, in North Wales. Situated in the centre of Anglesey, Llangefni was once an extremely important part of Anglesey’s agricultural history, as it was the central market for livestock. Cattle, pigs, chickens, and all manner of livestock were traded here. Llangefni is still
Holyhead, on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales, is the largest of the county’s towns, with a population of circa 13,000. Holyhead is primarily a ferry port and has been for hundreds of years. Sailings to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire are frequent, and on the fast
Cemaes Bay (Porth Wygyr). A seaside town on Anglesey, in North Wales. Cemaes Bay is a small village on the north tip of Anglesey. Historically, it housed a fishing fleet, boat building, and was a busy small port. The 5th-century Llanbadrig church is nearby said to have
The village of Bodffordd is in the parish of Heneglwys on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Originally named Bodffordd Esgob (Esgob is Welsh for bishop), the land was at one time owned by the Bishop of Bangor. If you want to see larger images just
Beaumaris, on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales, is the location of the last castle in Wales built by King Edward 1st. The building began in 1295, but it was never finished. Beaumaris Castle is in remarkably good condition. The castle is actually in the town
Amlwch was just a small hamlet until March 2nd 1768 when copper in large quantities was discovered in nearby Parys Mountain. In full swing, the copper mine employed 1500 men and women, and Amlwch grew enormously compared to its former self. Parys mountain supplied copper throughout the
