Embarking on archival research may seem daunting but with careful planning, patience and an inquisitive outlook you can find some real treasures within historical collections. Enjoy the process and embrace the satisfaction that comes from uncovering valuable insights from the past. #ArchvesWales

From @gwentarchives.bsky.social these photos show the 1967 lunch menu at Crosskeys Junior School. From roast lamb to a lemon cheese tart, they seem to have had quite the spread! 🥮 🥩🥕 It almost makes me nostalgic for my schools’ fajitas Fridays…. Reference: CEA48/23

We have had some flurries of snow across Gwent so far this January – but nothing like the winter of 1962-1963! Below is a comparison, from one of the Gwent Local History Journal’s in our collection, of this winter with another famous winter – the winter of 1946-1947.

@capelicymru.bsky.social is the Royal Commission’s exciting new project to understand, document, and respond to the growing loss of Wales’ Nonconformist heritage. Follow their Bluesky page for project updates.

🎉On Friday the 28th of November the Explore your Archive campaign was officially launched by Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, at North East Wales Archives - Denbighshire & Flintshire.

Currently, our digital collections represent only a tiny proportion of our overall collections, but with the advent of digital photography people take far more photos than they ever have before. But how many of these will ever make it into the archival collections of the future?

It’s safe to say that Wales can be considered a nation of animal lovers; indeed, the 2021 National Survey for Wales revealed that 52% of Wales’s households own a pet. 🐶🐹🐰🐮🐱🦆 #EYAPets

🧵1. Before the 1832 Reform Act, the only people who had the right to vote was a small number of wealthy men, property owners and ones who paid certain taxes. .

North East Wales Archives have received a grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT) to enable the conservation of a unique volume in their collections: a Waybill Book from the Glyn Valley Tramway (1881-1883).

It’s World Digital Preservation Day, an annual event led by the Digital Preservation Coalition to celebrate the collaborative work that is being undertaken globally to ensure digital content is available in the present and the future.

Llandudno yn y nos, gyda goleuadau'n adlewyrchu ar ddyfroedd y traeth. CP92/18/B/21 ———— Llandudno at Night, lights reflecting on the waters of the beach. CP92/18/B/21

The tragedy of Aberfan still resonates 59 years on. Today we remember the 144 lives lost, and those who fought to save them. Read/listen to accounts of Swansea University students who helped at the disaster site: ow.ly/8fV550Lgx6c With thanks to Richard Burton Archives, Swansea University.

Cymdeithas Chwaraewyr Cerdd Llandudno, yn perfformio ‘The Arcadians’ yn Theatr y Palladium ym mis Rhagfyr 1929. ———— Llandudno Musical Players Society, putting on ‘The Arcadians’ at the Palladium Theatre in December 1929. Conwy Archives 📜

David (Davy) John Jones yn ei gadair olwyn 'gadair ymolchi wiail' yng Nghonwy, tua 1915. Archifau Conwy ———— David (Davy) John Jones in his 'wicker bathchair' wheelchair in Conwy, c.1915. Conwy Archives

This image from Glamorgan Archives taken at Tirpentwys Colliery in 1955 shows an affectionate colliery horse named Aber (DNCB/14/4/149/19). To learn more about pit ponies and other items from the Glamorgan’s Blood exhibition, click here: glamarchives.gov.uk/blood/ponies/ 📷@glamarchives.bsky.social

This postcard depicts a 'sand beast Father made many years ago' on Borth beach. It was sent by ‘Alan’ who was staying in Borth to Miss Joyce Murray of The Eyrie, Radlett, Hertfordshire, c.1910s Does the Beast of Borth still prowl the beach? Item from Ceredigion Archives.

This month, Carmarthenshire Archives proudly welcomed the deposit of a stunning collection of portraits captured during Carmarthen Pride 2024 — a fantastic celebration of inclusivity, unity, and joy. Read more here: archives.wales/2025/06/23/p...

To celebrate #InternationalArchivesDay this year we held our annual Archives and Records Council Wales Forum; an opportunity for those in the profession to meet up, hear from our wonderful speakers, and of course enjoy lots of cake🥳 #ArchivesWales #IAD2025

📷Philip Burton and Richard Burton, c.1943 The archive collection of the actor Richard Burton is held at The Richard Burton Archives, @swanseauni.bsky.social More information here: libguides.swansea.ac.uk/richardburt..... #MrBurton

As part of d/Deaf Awareness Week Conwy Archive Service is launching its project on Conwy's d/Deaf Community in the Early 1900s. It focuses on some of the individuals found in the Census records who were noted as being d/Deaf. bit.ly/3RUk33s #dDeaf #DeafAwarenessWeek #dDeafHistory

Today marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Share your photos and memories. These helmet and uniform badges used by the National and Auxiliary Fire Service during WW2, are from West Glamorgan Archive Service. #VE80 #Victory80

🧩A unique and engaging way to explore local history has arrived at local libraries in Denbighshire! Who will be the first to take on and complete the 1000-piece challenge? For more details, read our blog: archives.wales/.../piecing-... @newalesarchives.bsky.social

Dr Kilmer’s Swamp-Root was a patent medicine famous for its strong advertising. Despite being from an American brand, this pamphlet has a real Welsh look. Featuring a woodland scene, daffodils, and a figure who bears a striking resemblance to Blodeuwedd. Item from Archifdy Ceredigion Archives.

In the archives of Wales, you’ll find stunning maps that offer more than just directions. They reveal centuries of history and artistry. Find out more in this video: youtu.be/a3qsco_7VwI

“What makes these adverts so fascinating is their ordinariness. They weren’t meant to be preserved as historical artifacts, they were designed to sell products, announce events, or direct people to services.” Read more on our blog: archives.wales/2025/04/16/t...

This image of tiny hoverflies on a umbellifer flower is just one of a huge selection of images from the slide collection related to the career and interests of academic David B. James, author of ‘Ceredigion: Its Natural History’ and other works. From Ceredigion archives #SomethingSmall #Archive30

“This is the room we keep items that need to be isolated from the rest of the collections, because of damp, mould, insect activity etc. ... By the end of the project the number of items requiring treatment had reduced by 65%.” Read more: archives.wales/2025/04/08/t... @gwentarchives.bsky.social

'Football or Life in Cardiff' This playbill is from the Theatre Royal, Cardiff advertising a rugby themed performance in June 1886. You can read more about it on the Cardiff Rugby Museum website: bit.ly/3HyUnUN Item from Glamorgan Archives / Archifau Morgannwg

Archie Totty smiling with his milk float at Garreg Lydan (Bagillt). Photo from North East Wales Archives - Denbighshire & Flintshire : PH/02/178 #InternationalDayOfHappiness #DiwrnodRhyngwladolHapusrwydd

"They say the past is a different country — so let's plan a weekend road trip to the past! Armed with old advertisements as our guide, let’s explore some historic shops, lively dance halls, and grand hotels." Read more on our latest blog: archives.wales/2025/03/07/a...

This wonderful photograph of a dog show in Newport is from September 1909. It is probably from the second annual dog show of The Newport and District Canine Society. We hope all the dogs enjoyed themselves (and the humans too). Item from Gwent Archives #Crufts2025 🐶

These pictures contain pioneering freshwater ecologist Kathleen Carpenter, nee Zimmerman. She is known for her studies of the effects of metal pollution on Welsh rivers and her book Life in Inland Waters. Items from Aberystwyth Uni Archives. #InternationalDayofWomenAndGirlsInScience

Transforming Collections Care at Gwent Archives: An update: archives.wales/2025/02/05/t...

Uned Myrddin’s Adventure in the Archives: archives.wales/2025/01/20/a... Carmarthenshire Archive Service

Are you are already thinking about booking travel to somewhere a little warmer?☀️For Christmas 1888, Rachel M Allen swapped the Welsh wintry weather for the hot, sandy, and exotic environs of Egypt. You can read about her adventures in this blog. Her journals can be viewed at Pembrokeshire Archives.

❄️📷☃️It's been a wintry few days across Wales this week. These snowy scenes of Haverfordwest taken by Joffre Swales in the late-1960s are from a collection at Archifdy Sir Benfro / Pembrokeshire Archives

Four months after the start of the Second World War, food rationing began in Britain. The first items to be rationed were bacon, butter and sugar. This ledger from Llangaffo Post Office covers WW2 and includes a list of those registered for Jam, Treacle and Syrup. Item from Anglesey Archives

These are the 1979 Junior Common Room committee minutes for a Swansea University halls of residence. It was agreed “The Warden will remind people that there is to be no throwing of food at the Xmas Dinners”. It was also stated that the ‘Xmas Brawl...is to be continued’. From Swansea Uni Archives

During WW2 Christmas shopping was much harder, with a lack of luxuries & gifts on the market. The British public were encouraged to save & make '... a contribution to the greatest gift of all- Victory' via Christmas saving stamps. From Swansea Uni Archives. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasGifts

During WW2 Christmas shopping was much harder, with a lack of luxuries & gifts on the market. The British public were encouraged to save & make 'a contribution to the greatest gift of all- Victory' via Christmas saving stamps. From Swansea Uni Archives. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasGifts

This handwritten letter was sent in the early 1900’s reads “Dear Father C’mas I should like very much to have a horse and a sword if you have got one left with much love and many kisses from George Carbery Pryse Rice XXXXXXXXX. Item from Carmarthenshire Archives, ref: Aberglasney, box 31

Receipts of Hearth Tax paid by John Colby on houses at Llanycefn and Bletherston, dated 2nd May 1673. Pembrokeshire Archives, ref: HDX/207/9 #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Chimney #Simnai 🔥

We might think of Christmas cards as a very modern invention, but they're not. This postcard, addressed to Lillian Jenkins of Merlin’s Bridge, Pembrokeshire, has a postmark of 25th December 1903! Pembrokeshire Archives reference: D/JEN/160 #ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasCards

Records of a local Pantomime Company are ‘Now Showing’ at North East Wales Archives! Read all about it in our latest blog: archives.wales/2024/12/09/c... 🎭🎪

Many archives have online catalogues, some even have digitised collections, that you can view online, for free! Check out your local archive’s website and see what you can discover!

Archives hold the keys to history. You can find information on so much, from your local area, your own house or street, to large political movements and social history. There's so much to discover in your local archive!

One of the coastline’s most familiar ##Animals, especially to anyone carrying a pastry, are seagulls. The gulls have been here as long as we have, as seen in this photo from 1931, taken in Llandudno. Item from Conwy Archives.

A page from the Christmas Book of Janet Gnosspelius. The book features what look like lists of Christmas presents to give out, and drafts of her annual home-made cards, this one from 1964 being a little cat looking at a coat of arms. Item from Cardiff Uni Archives.

It’s always lovely to find documents with animals in archives, like this photo from Conwy Archives. It shows a couple out on a picnic with a dog for company, taken around 100 years ago.

A postman makes his rounds with the help of a horse and cart near the Swan Inn (Llanfair Talhaiarn), c.1900. Item from North East Wales Archive, item reference: PPD/56/19