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– work done by the photographers of the various postcard companies, Frank launched Times Past, and began an important historical reference site.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.
Wrexham is the largest city in North Wales and is an important place not least because of it’s continuing economic growth. Being close to both Liverpool and Manchester airports it is ideally situated for the various industries that have set up in the area. It has a
Tryddyn (Treuddyn) in Clwyd Tryddyn is in the old county of Flintshire, North Wales, and was once a part of the parish of Mold, until in 1844 it became a parish in its own right. The name was officially changed to Treuddyn in 1938. Tryddyn is in
Trefriw is a village in the County Borough of Conwy in Clwyd, with some of the village lies within the Snowdonia National Park.
St Asaph is a city on the banks of the River Elwy in Clwyd. Of course, St Asaph has a cathedral, but is quite a small city, with a population of about 3,500. The location of St Asaph is close to many of North Wales seaside resorts
The Snowdonia mountain range in Wales is one of the jewels in the crown of the country. A trip on the miniature railway to the peak of Snowdon is highly recommended. The area is popular with climbers and walkers, but care must be taken, especially when the
Ruthin in North Wales is an interesting and important town with some old and lovely architecture. It has its own 13th-century castle built on the site of an original motte and bailey castle. Ruthin also has a goal that dates back hundreds of years, and the town
When I think of Rhyl I think of everything that you would have expected from a large seaside resort, sun, sand, sea, promenades, piers and large funfairs. Rhyl is sadly but a shadow of its’ former self, but nevertheless still a good place to visit. Rhyl is
Rhos on Sea is a smaller size seaside town, but quite beautiful. A wonderful place to visit. Book accommodation at a hotel or bed and breakfast and find out for yourself. A get away from it all kind of place. You can always judge the popularity of
Prestatyn in North Wales has been a popular seaside town since Victorian times. With lovely beaches and lots to see and do it is no wonder that thousands every year choose to book local accommodation and take their holiday in Prestatyn. Prestatyn boasts a Pontin’s holiday camp,
Portmeirion in North Wales was an idea conceived by Clough Williams-Ellis. In 1925 he bought the land near to his ancestral home and began lifelong labour of love. The result is an Italianate village in a variety of building styles that are a delight to the eye.
