Nineteenth century Irish migration history
Swansea University Archives has secured vital external funding to ensure that important clues in tracing the history of Irish migration, settlement and integration in Britain in the nineteenth century will be preserved for future generations.
The funding of £10,000 was obtained from the National Manuscripts' Conservation Trust and CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, and will be used to conserve the registers of St David's Priory in Swansea.
The 10 registers detail baptisms, marriages and burials from the Roman Catholic community of St David's Priory between 1839 and 1956.
University Archivist, Elisabeth Bennett, said: "We are delighted to have gained this funding to allow the conservation of these registers. The availability of the registers from the early nineteenth century makes this collection comparatively rare. This funding is only available for collections of national importance."
They are of great importance to family historians and scholars. Dr Louise Miskell, Senior Lecturer at Swansea University, who has a research interest in the Roman Catholic community in Swansea, said: "St David's Priory was one of the first new Catholic 'missions' to be established in South Wales. The collection is particularly useful for those researching the history of Irish migration, settlement and integration in Britain in the nineteenth century."
The conservation will be carried out at the Leather Conservation Centre in Northampton University by specialists in conservation binding. The process involves specialised leather treatments as well as repairs to the structure of the bindings.
The work is scheduled to be carried out between August 2008 and March 2009 and the registers will not be available for viewing during this period. Those wanting further information are advised to contact the Archives at Swansea University on 01792 295021 or via email archives@swansea.ac.uk.
