The Local Historian Volume 17 Number 6 May 1987

By Trevor Hussey

Detailed and substantial study of hedgerow dating systems and techniques, including: i) the physical features of the hedgerow (its size, thickness, scale and character of ditches and banks, evidence of enclosure); ii) botanical features, including species studies, involving use of reliable statistical methods to try to ensure accuracy, and methods for dating by the use of species to ascertain hedge origins; and iii) specific species studies, with species profiling in order to compare phases of hedge development by studying the frequency of species in sampled areas.

[Hide]

By John R. Walton

Discussion of the reliability of directories in the analysis of trades and professions. The evidence suggests that 18th century trade directories can be useful as an introductory source, but that they require careful scrutiny and must be used in conjunction with other sources if they are to remain credible. The author suggests that, in contrast, newspapers are the most reliable secondary source because they provide a much fuller picture of the scale, diversity and structures of local trade. He argues that newspapers also give more detail concerning trade in smaller settlements, most of which are not within the scope of early trade directories. Comparisons are made between the data produced by local directories and that available from newspapers, in order to indicate overlapping, omissions and discrepancies.

[Hide]

By Baron F. Duckham

The Motor Car Act of 1903 saw the introduction of the first licensing system for cars. Records were maintained by local councils, and details given included the names and addresses of successive owners. This is potentially a valuable source for 20th century local history. The author draws on data from West Wales to show the rapid growth of car ownership in the years before the First World War and highlights a number of issues: i) early owners - especially the local gentry; ii) links between car ownership and local trades; iii) growth of the garage 'industry', especially the rapid expansion of vehicle hire services; iv) development of inns and hotels as providers of new forms of transport; v) the adoption of motor transport by wholesale and retail businesses; and vi) the balance between private and commercial car ownership.

[Hide]

By John Davies

Following Davies' previous article (covering pre-1536 Wales) this bibliographical review looks at a range of key titles which introduce or explain major themes in Welsh history in the last 450 years: i) the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1542 and the Tudor monarchy; ii) post-Union administration; iii) economic history; iv) Civil War and 17th century religious history; v) proto-industrialisation; vi) Welsh language books on the 18th century; vii) cultural history; viii) the industrial history of South Wales; ix) labour history; x) rural society; xi) 19th century Welsh politics; xii) nonconformity; and xiii) nationalism and its cultural dimension. The article concludes with a full bibliography of all titles discussed (see also 17 05 264-268).