Silian, Cardiganshire, Wales Genealogy

WalesCeredigionSilian

A guide to genealogy in Silian, with information on where to find birth, baptism, marriage, death and burial records; census records; wills; cemeteries; maps; etc.

Silian is a village and ecclesiastical parish in Dyffryn Aeron in Ceredigion, Wales.

Before 1974 the village was in the historic county of Cardiganshire and, between 1974 and 1996 in the County of Dyfed. In 1996 it became part of the modern county of Ceredigion.

History
In 1833: "SILIAN (SULIEN), a parish in the upper division of the hundred of MOYTHEN, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 2 miles (N. by W.) from Lampeter, containing 327 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated in the south-eastern portion of the county, derives its name from the saint to whom its church is dedicated, who flourished during the earlier part of the sixth century. It comprises but a moderate extent of arable and pasture land, which is partly enclosed : the surface is varied, and the soil is in some parts tolerably fertile. The village is in some degree enlivened by its situation on the great turnpike roads leading from Aberystwith, in this county, and from Rhaiadr, in the county of Radnor, to Lampeter. The living is consolidated with the vicarage of Llanwnnen in the archdeaconry of Cardigan, and diocese of St. David's. The church, dedicated to St. Sulien, and very romantically situated, is an ancient edifice, not distinguished by any architectural details of importance: it consists of a nave and chancel, and the font, which is circular, and of antique design, is ornamented with four human faces. In the churchyard there is a rudely sculptured monument of stone, now scarcely a foot above the surface of the ground, ornamented on one side with Runic knots, and on the other with zig-zag lines. A Sunday school, which is gratuitously superintended by some of the parishioners, is supported by subscription. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £89.12." [From Samuel Lewis's A Topographical Dictionary of Wales 1833]

For more information see Silian at Genuki.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Silian at Vision of Britain