The best way of searching through our archives and mansucripts is to use NLW Archives and Manuscripts. This is a specific catalogue which will confine your search to these collections.
The collapsible list is the archival tree. It is this tree that shows how different items within a specific collection relate to each other. Within a collection like the Badminton Estate Records you have many single items. You may have opened a record that sits in the middle of a collection, and it's the archival tree that allows you to see what record come before and after it, and how it relates to the rest of the collection.
Once you have opened the collection you require on NLW Archives and Manuscripts, you will see the archival tree in the left column (which lists every record in the collection). Above the tree you will see a tab called 'Quick search' - click on this. You can then enter your keyword, and all relevant results within the collection will appear below the search box. Select the record you want and the description will open in the right column.
You can search for wills through our designated wills search form.
From the wills search form you can select one or more of the following: diocese, date, name, parish, township or occupation. The more of these you can input information for, the more accurate your search results will be.
Once you have filled in the wills search form, you will be directed to your search results in the Catalogue.
If you are searching for a specific 'call no' you can find this under the 'Request' tab for each will (to the right of the title 'Location').
To view wills click on the tab 'View' under the required Will. To view a large version, click on 'View larger version in new window' (this will open a new tab in your browser).
To see the will as a full screen, click on the link in the bottom right corner 'Full Screen'. To return to the normal view click Esc on your keyboard.
To see the different pages of the will, click on the thumbnail image in the left column or click on the arrows (to the right and left of the image)
When you hover over the image you will see a '+' and '-' in the top left corner of the image, which will allow you to zoom in and out of the image. You can also use the circular arrow to rotate the image clockwise.
You can search the marriage bonds collection thorugh our designated Marriage Bonds search form.
Marriage bonds can only be searched from the Catalogue, and are NOT available in NLW Archives and Manuscripts
The 'call no' will be shown in brackets at the end of the text 'Available at' (to the right of the green dot) in the record for each bond.
If you know the full name you're looking for, place the name in the search box with '' " around it. The results will only show records containing the full name. If you search for a full name without '' " it will show all results containing either name eg if you search for Mary Jones it will show every Mary, every Jones and every Mary Jones.
If you have a full name and place, use the Advanced Search (link to the right of the search button. Place the name in '' " in the first box and the place in '' " in the second box.
If you have a general date for the bond, you can refine your search results under 'Creation Date' in the left column (remember to click on the Search button and your results will update).
To search for manuscripts visit NLW Archives and Manuscripts
You will find a search box in the black banner at the top of the page.
The archival tree can be seen in the left column when you've opened a record in NLW Archives and Manuscripts (under the image of the Library). The archival tree looks like a collapsible list. It is a list of all the items within a specific collection. For example a collection like the Badminton Estate Records has many single items. You may have opened a record that sits in the middle of a collection, and it's the archival tree that allows you to see what record come before and after it, and how it relates to the rest of the collection.
The record you have opened will appear as dark grey. To open another record click on the blue text, or to open another 'branch' of the collection, click on the down arrow to the left of the item (it may take a little time for the tree to open).
When you select a record, the description will open on the right.
Once you have opened the collection you require on NLW Archives and Manuscripts, you will see the archival tree in the left column (which lists every record in the collection). Above the tree you will see a tab called 'Quick search' - click on this. You can then enter your keyword, and all relevant results within the collection will appear below the search box. Select the record you want and the description will open in the right column.
There are many ways of searching estate collections at NLW.
You can enter your search term in the search box in NLW Archives and Manuscripts and see if there is a relevant collection in one of the estate collections
Following user feedback, we have developed an A-Z index list of 50 of the largest/most used estate collections held at the Library. This list allows you to click on a title of an estate collection and see the top level record for that estate in NLW Archives and Manuscripts. You can subsequently use the quick search to search within the estate collection. Hopefully this should give quick access to a selection of estate collections.
You can search for NLW Annual Reports 1909-2000 (previously on ISYS) on our Archives and Manuscripts: Annual Reports page.
You can use this designated form to search Theses Collection Wales.
You can use this designated form to search Welsh Ballads Online.
If you know the date of the photograph, you can Select a 'Start Date' and 'End Date' before searching