Our Collections
Estate archives at Bangor University
Within Bangor University we operate as a partnership with the University Archives and Special Collections.
Estate archives have represented a long-term focus in the collecting policy of Bangor University Archives and its precursors. During his time as University Librarian between 1926 and 1946, Thomas Richards (1878–1962) negotiated with north Wales landowners to secure the deposit of dozens of estate archives; a trend which continued under his successors as part of a broader strategy to establish a ‘first-class research centre for students of the history of Wales’.
The Archives and Special Collections team is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of the archives, and to ensure that the resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge. ISWE works with the Archives to promote the collections as valuable research and learning tools, and to communicate their public importance for understanding the histories, cultures and landscapes of north Wales. The collections are open to researchers, students and members of the public, and can be consulted on-site at the Archives and Special Collections in the Main Arts Building in Bangor University. More information on the collections and visiting the archives can be found on the Bangor University Archives and Special Collections website.
Bangor University’s collection of estate archives is one of the most significant in Europe. The archives cover most areas of north Wales and relate to some of the region’s most prominent estates, including Baron Hill, Mostyn and Penrhyn.
The Archives and Special Collections Online Catalogue is available to search at: http://calmview.bangor.ac.uk/Calmview/
(Please note that although the online catalogue is being continuously improved it is still incomplete. Hard copy catalogues are available to consult in-site).
The list below is of the main estate archives held by Bangor University, including links to the descriptions of the collections on Archives Hub [https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/]. The archives are arranged here by the pre-1974 counties of Wales, though it should be noted that most of the collections feature records relating to lands in multiple counties.
Anglesey:
- Baron Hill
- Bodorgan
- Dinam Hall
- Henblas
- Henllys
- Lligwy
- Llys Dulas
- Parciau
- Penrhos
- Plas Bodafon
- Plas Cadnant
- Plas Coch & Brynddu
- Plas Gwyn
- Plas Newydd
- Presaddfed & Dronwy
- Rhianfa
- Tregayan
Caernarfonshire:
- Broom Hall
- Maenan
- Meillionydd
- Penrhyn
- Plas Carreg
- Yale (Cefn Llanfair, Wernfawr and Madryn)
Denbighshire:
Flintshire:
Merioneth:
(Please note that many of these collections incorporate other estate archives; for example, the Mostyn collection also contains the Corsygedol and Gloddaith estate archives. Also note that there are often other archives relating to these estates held by other repositories).
Solicitors’ Collections including estate records:
Sale Catalogues:
Items in the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts:
- Cartographic survey of the Wern estate by Meredith Hughes (1773)
- Coming of age address presented to Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley of Baron Hill (1883)
- Diaries of William Bulkeley (1691-1761) of Brynddu
- Diaries of William Roberts, Gardner on at Plas Glynllifon (1886-1909) https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb222-bmsswrob
- Eifionydd Farm Survey
- Gwydir Castle visitors’ book (1894-1910)
- Plas Berw estate rent roll (1723)
- Survey of the Gwaenynog estate by William Williams of Llandygai (1777-1778)
- Valuation of the Gwynfryn and Plas Hen estates (1876-79)
Bangor University Archives and Special Collections is an Accredited Archive Service.