CRIME AND PUNISHMENT DATABASE

w llgc.org.uk/sesiwn_fawr/index_s.htm

This free National Library of Wales database is drawn from the gaol files of the Court of Great Sessions in Wales, from 1730 up to its abolition in 1830. The website was launched way back in 2004, and while it definitely looks its age, everything still functions well. The relatively small number of common surnames in Wales may cause problems – a simple search for ‘Jones’ gives 1,985 results – but there are plenty of ways to narrow the pool, by date, county, type of offence (fraud, larceny etc), punishment and more. For quarter sessions records, which are held by Welsh county record offices, go to Archives Wales ( archives.wales).