Congratulations to our colleagues and friends at Crowd Cymru for winning the 2026 ARA Archive Volunteering Award! 🎉👏 It is so well deserved, and what a fantastic way to celebrate the work of your brilliant volunteers during #VolunteersWeek www.archives.org.uk/volunteering...

It’s National #VolunteersWeek, an annual UK-wide campaign held in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. In this new blog, Colin Laker tells us more about his volunteer role at @librarywales.bsky.social: archives.wales/2026/06/01/s...

Read the latest news from the #CrowdCymru project in today's blog ✏️ archives.wales/2026/05/18/n... You can follow @crowdcymru.bsky.social for more🙂

Earlier this year, Carmarthenshire Archives hosted three engaging and thoughtfully designed creative workshops in the Archives Searchroom. By treating maps as powerful interpretive tools, the workshops opened a window onto the ways people have understood place, community, and belonging across time.

Love Welsh history? Family stories? Old photographs, maps, letters or records? Take 5–10 minutes to complete the survey before 15 March bit.ly/3OEJHe9 Help ensure Wales’ archives are visible, valued and used; now and for generations to come.

Love Welsh history? Family stories? Old photographs, maps, letters or records? Take 5–10 minutes to complete the survey before 15 March bit.ly/3OEJHe9 Help ensure Wales’ archives are visible, valued and used; now and for generations to come.

Plan of the river at Conway in the county of Caernarvon 2026 sees the bicentenary of Telford’s suspension bridges over the Conwy & Menai. This map prior to the bridge’s construction features an island ‘Claimed by Sir R. Mostyn Bart’ where the bridge’s northern tower stands Pre 1796 Most/7289

O’r Rhondda i Awstralia: Papurau Thomas D Morgan a’i Deulu Heddiw ar y blog cymerwn gip ar gyfres o lythyrau ysgrifennwyd gan y teulu Morgan o’r Rhondda. Maent yn olrhain hanes Thomas D Morgan a ymfudodd i Awstralia ym 1862 i chwilio am aur! archifaumorgannwg.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/o...

(1/2) Did you know yesterday was National Hedgehog Day? In medieval folklore, hedgehogs were said to lie on their backs so they could impale fruits on their spine. They then carried the fruit to their dens to feed the young.

These digitised photos feature Edward and Helen Thomas, and are held by Cardiff University’s Special Collections and Archives. Edward was a poet who didn’t begin writing until he was 36 years old, yet he went onto to be quite prolific.

From Conwy Archives, this image shows a teacher and two students in a classroom in the 1950s. Three guesses what subject they were learning 🌍 Reference: CP39/2/2/1/10

This image from @gwentarchives.bsky.social shows a train from the Alexandra Docks & Railway Company, moments after it fell down a 32ft high bank near Bassaleg Station.

Job Opportunity: Engagement Officer (Full time, fixed-term to 31 October 2026) This is an exciting opportunity to work with archive and heritage services across Wales on the Welsh Government funded Archifau Cymru Byw / Archives Wales Alive project. 1/

Swydd: Swyddog Prosiect Gwirfoddoli Digidol (14.5 awr yr wythnos, tymor sefydlog tan 31 Hydref 2026) Dyma gyfle cyffrous i weithio gyda gwasanaethau archif a threftadaeth ledled Cymru ar brosiect #CrowdCymru a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru. 1/

ob Opportunity: Digital Volunteering Project Officer (14.5 hours per week, fixed-term to 31 October 2026) This is an exciting opportunity to work with archive and heritage services across Wales on the Welsh Government funded #CrowdCrymru project. 1/

The Garth Gold Mine in Cilcain was thought to be the richest goldfield in Wales upon its discovery in 1889! This map held at North East Wales Archives shows the area that brough wealth and fortune to the Welsh economy, and where many thought X marked the spot! @newalesarchives.bsky.social

From The Richard Burton Archives, Swansea University, are personalised belongings of the man himself! His collection includes his book bag and large varied library. Any thoughts on what his favourite book might have been?

North East Wales Archives Unidentified harpist in traditional Welsh dress, 1910. Reference: PPD/120/42

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