Ernest Roberts Papers and Photographs

Papers and photographs, 1719-1970, collected by Ernest Roberts, relating mainly to the Bethesda area, including printed material and miscellaneous items relating to the National Eisteddfod and Penrhyn Quarry, 1875-1943; a road map by Thomas Gardner, 1719; records of George Hotel, Bangor, 1866-1872; Bethesda Independent Chapel copy deeds, 1820-1887; copy plans (originals 1768) of the Penrhyn estate, 1944; correspondence, photographs and other items relating to Hugh Pritchard and Ellin Hughes, 1946-1957; testimonials of W. J. Williams, MA, [c. 1898]; photographs, 1875-1953, of the slate industry, Penrhyn Quarry and Bethesda characters; other items relating to the Bethesda area, 1863-1970.

Ernest Roberts (b. c. 1900) of Bethesda, Caernarfonshire, attended Cefnfaes New School and served in the Royal Air Force in France, 1918. He collected papers and photographs relating to the history of Llandygai and Bethesda, particularly concerning the slate industry, Penrhyn Quarry and the lockout of 1900-1904. Hugh Pritchard of Llandygai, Caernarfonshire, his wife Ellin (Helen) Hughes, and their five children were killed by a landslide in Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire, in 1816. Pritchard was a possible inspiration for the character of Wandering Willie in Sir Walter Scott's novel Redgauntlet (1832).

Arranged according to accession order.

No restrictions

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Caernarfon Record Office, Rhestr Byr o Bapurau a Ffotograffau Mr Ernest Roberts/A Handlist of Papers and Photographs deposited by Mr Ernest Roberts; Old Kirkcudbright website (www.old-kirkcudbright.net/people/people.htm), viewed 16 September 2004.

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at Caernarfon Record Office and the National Library of Wales.

Usual copyright regulations apply

All records have been retained

Accruals are not expected