Swansea’s Civic Centre Family History Centre has opened its doors to the public between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays.
With many Swansea residents working during the week, the chance for extensive research is often scarce but there’s never been a better time to start searching through the wealth of family history resources available at the Archives.
Swansea Council’s County Archivist Kim Collis said: “Saturdays are such a convenient time for family historians to come into the Archives.
“We realise people tend to be busier during the week so this allows more time to conduct research. With the broadcast of BBC series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ more and more people are being inspired to begin researching their bloodlines, and the Family History Centre offers the resources and know-how to help both novices and seasoned researchers.”
Jointly funded by the City and County of Swansea and the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot, the new-look West Glamorgan Archive and Family History Centre was unveiled on the Civic Centre’s Ground Floor in late 2007 and has seen over 10,000 visits since it opened - a 40% increase on numbers before the Civic Centre facility was opened.
Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: “These figures are fantastic and show how much interest there is in the West Glamorgan Archive Service.
“Genealogy is becoming an increasingly popular hobby and the West Glamorgan Archive Service offers the expertise and materials for all ages and interests.”
The Family History Centre provides genealogical resources on microfilm as well as free access to the most popular family history website, www.ancestry.com.
For more information telephone 01792 636589 or visit http://www.swansea.gov.uk/
