Fonds GB 0210 BGCHAR - Dr B. G. Charles Research Papers

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0210 BGCHAR

Title

Dr B. G. Charles Research Papers

Date(s)

  • [1911]-[1998](accumulated [1926]-[1998]) (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

0.027 cubic metres (10 folders)

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Dr Bertie George Charles (1908-2000) was an archivist and etymologist whose main fields of study were Pembrokeshire records, the Welsh dialect of the county and place-names.

He was born at Penparc, near Trefin, Pembrokeshire, in 1908, the son of John and Annie Charles and brought up on Tresinwen Farm, Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire.

Dr B. G. Charles received his secondary education at St Davids and Fishguard County Schools. His English teacher at Fishguard was D. J. Williams, writer and political activist. In 1926 he came to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, to study English and graduated with First Class Honours in 1929. He researched for his Master's degree at this University and his thesis presented in 1932 was entitled 'Norse relations with Wales'. He was awarded a doctorate for his thesis 'Non-Celtic place names in Wales and Monmouthshire' at the University College, London in 1935. Both of these theses were later published in 1934 and 1938 respectively.

In 1936 he was appointed a member of staff at the Department of Manuscripts and Records in the National Library of Wales. He held the post of Command Librarian while serving in the Royal Army Educational Corps during the war. In 1938 he married May Williams and had two daughters Helen and Isabel. Dr Charles retired in 1973.

His voice was familiar on BBC radio programmes mainly talking about the history of Pembrokeshire. Dr Charles was vice-president of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society. In 1992 his work The place-names of Pembrokeshire was published in two volumes. Numerous articles by him on local history were published in various journals.

Dr B. G. Charles was actively involved with the running of Aberystwyth Golf Club and was Honorary Secretary in 1961. He also served as president, captain and executive committee member. He died on 19 August 2000.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated by Mrs Helen Wallis, Solihull, daughter of Dr B. G. Charles, August 2001.; A2001/53

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The fonds comprises the research papers, [1911]-[1998], of Dr B. G. Charles reflecting his academic interests, in particular etymology and history of his native Pembrokeshire, and also his local and leisure interests.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Action: Authority to destroy unwanted papers given by Mrs Helen Wallis in her letter to NLW, dated 21 January 2002, and in Departmental Appraisal Form AFE/MP/2002/17.

Card indexes and typescript chapters relating to his publications have been destroyed, together with typescript articles, many published in The National Library of Wales Journal, copies of NLW catalogues prepared by him and also replies to enquiries answered by him as a member of staff..

Accruals

Accruals are possible.

System of arrangement

Arranged at NLW into ten files according to subject: Aberystwyth Golf Club; Bronglais Hospital Area Householders' Association Campaign; genealogy; George Owen of Henllys; lectures; Pembrokeshire notes; National Eisteddfod; Pembrokeshire Record Society; radio scripts; and Aberystwyth social clubs.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright in the works of B. G. Charles belongs to Mrs Helen Wallis, Solihull.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script notes

English unless otherwise specified.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Finding aid available in hard copy at NLW.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Official records of Aberystwyth Golf Club held by B. G. Charles, together with records, 1911 onwards, previously deposited at NLW (see Annual Report 1952-1953, p. 21, 1964-1965, p. 53 and 1966-1967, p. 51) have been transferred to club officials. Research papers of B. G. Charles relating to Aberystwyth Golf Club are in /1.

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

Fonds and file titles supplied from contents. Earliest date of creation surmised from the year when the Aberystwyth Golf Club opened and latest date surmised from creator's declining health. Earliest date of accumulation surmised from the year Dr B. G. Charles entered the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Alternative identifier(s)

Virtua system control number

vtls004212773

GEAC system control number

(WlAbNL)0000212773

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

May 2002.

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

Sources

Archivist's note

Compiled by Ann Francis Evans.

Archivist's note

Archivist's note

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Obituaries in Yr Angor, October 2000; Cambrian News, 14 September 2000; and Journal of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society, 10, 2001.

Archivist's note

Accession area

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