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– work done by the photographers of the various postcard companies, Frank launched Times Past, and began an important historical reference site.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.
Llandudno is in the county of Gwynedd (old county of Caernarfonshire) and is the jewel in the crown of North Wales seaside resorts. Holidaymakers have been coming to this seaside town in droves since the arrival of the railways. There is a great deal of good accommodation
Llanberis is situated up in the Snowdonia Mountain range in North Wales. Apart from the beauty of the place, it is also where one catches the mountain train to Snowdonia, a must-do experience if only for the sheer pleasure of the views. Llanberis is a lovely place
Leeswood is a small village in the county of Flintshire, just 4 miles from the town of Mold.
Holywell in North Wales derives its name from the holy well of St Winefride’s (real name Gwenfrewi – a Welsh Nun in the 7th century. Her being was since proved from historical facts). The water from the well is said to possess miraculous healing powers, and people
Harlech in North Wales is the location of yet another of North Wales Castles. The town of Harlech has much to offer the holidaymaker in terms of good accommodation and a large clean beach. As with most places near the seaside, it has wonderful views across much
Gronant is known for its Dunes, an area of sand dunes and foreshore that stretch to the Point of Ayr, Talacre. There is outstanding wildlife and it is a site of Special Scientific Interest. Both Gronant and Talacre Dunes are popular with holidaymakers and local residents. Upper
Flint in North Wales was the location (Pentre) of smelting and refining of the many metals – particularly lead – by the Romans. The area was rich in minerals and was extremely important to the Romans.
Eryrys is in the county of Denbighshire in North Wales. At 350m above sea level, it is one of the highest villages in Wales.
Dyserth in North Wales was in an area where the main employments were in the lead mines and limestone quarries. The local railway reached Dyserth in 1869 and closed in 1973. One of the main attractions in Dyserth is the beautiful waterfall in the gardens.
Dwygyfylchi is a village in North Wales, part of which is the most northern point of the Snowdonia Mountain range. As such, Dwygyfylchi is set amongst some of the most picturesque scenery in Wales.
