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– work done by the photographers of the various postcard companies, Frank launched Times Past, and began an important historical reference site.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.
Pontblyddyn – or Pontbleiddyn – is in Flintshire North Wales, and was once in the parish of Mold. It was created its own parish in 1844 from the town of Hartsheath, and parts of Leeswood, Pentrehobyn Bistre and Tynewydd. In an area rich in minerals, coal was
Pensarn in North Wales is actually a suburb of Abergele. It is on the North Wales coast and has been a popular seaside resort.
Penmaenmawr is a town in the county of Clwyd in North Wales. A picturesque surrounding area makes this a location most visited by walkers and ramblers. Some of the old images of Penmaenmawr in North Wales are photochromic images, the actual photograph was black and white but
Old Colwyn in North Wales is located very close to the better known seaside town of Colwyn Bay. A quiet town with a nice selection of shops. Yet another North Wales seaside town, Old Colwyn has its own Promenade. Old Colwyn is now bypassed by the new
Nerquis in North Wales is one of the oldest parishes in the county of Flintshire. Nerquis Hall was built between 1637-8 by John Wynn of the powerful Wynn dynasty. I haven’t looked at these old photographs of Nerquis (Nercwys) for quite a few years, and what struck
Mold is a relatively large town and is the largest historic market town in Flintshire, North Wales. The history of the town dates back to the Bronze Ages, with archaeological finds dating from that period. The history of Mold includes battles with Anglo Saxons, and between the
Llanrwst is a nice town, well worth a visit. One of the highlights for me was the beautiful and historical Church of St Grwst. Inside it contains the sarcophagus of Prince Llewellyn. The history of the town is intertwined with that of the Wynn family, the local
Llangollen is in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales and is a charming place to visit. The growth of the town of Llangollen came during the 1820s, with the laying of the new road (now the A5) from Holyhead to London, by the famous engineer Thomas
Llanfairfechan is in the county of Gwynedd (old county of Caernarfonshire) and was developed as a Victorian seaside resort, and the spacious promenade is still there to this day. This quiet town is centrally located on the new A55 expressway, situated between Bangor and Conwy.
Llandudno Junction is situated in Gwynedd (old county of Caernarfonshire) in North Wales, and as the name suggests it is an important railway junction for North Wales.
