Taff & Cynon in 1841 census

[John Nicholas]

In the 1841 census, District 26 of Merthyr Tydfil Lower is described as the "hamlet of Taff and Cynon". Is that Abercynon these days? Neither name appears on 1908 ordnance survey maps - where the Aberdare & Merthyr roads meet is referred to as Navigation, which I assume is the colliery name.

Suggestions gratefully received.
John

[Sue Mackay]

Abercynon is at the confluence of the rivers Taff and Cynon. The unitary authority for the area (created when the county of Mid Glamorgan was split up in 1996) is known as RCT, or Rhondda Cynon Taff.

[John Nicholas]

Thanks Sue. But don't be fooled by my location - I was brought up in Pontypridd and lived in Nelson in the 1960s. I've never heard of an entity called Hamlet of Taff & Cynon. A precursor of Abercynon seems the most likely bet but I wondered whether anyone had access to old maps (mid 19C) which would pin-point it more precisely.
John

[brianb]

John
see the link below, look at the A to Z, Abercynon for a description, which includes previous names for the area, including "Navigation".


http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov...il/default.htm

I have access to a good quality 1919 OS map (partially updated 1949) if you have a particular street / property in mind.

With "hamlet" meaning a village without a church of its own, belonging to the parish of another village or town, and the area where the two rivers meet cutting off "Navigation" from the main area of Abercynon, and not seeming to have its own church / chapel it may simply refer to the small area of properties east of the Taff River, i.e. that area where Navigation House is.

Regards

Brian

[John Nicholas]

Thanks Brian. I've got 1894/1904/1914 OS reprints which show neither Abercynon nor anything specifically Taff & Cynon. Navigation always appears to the east of the rivers.

Since posting this items, I've had another good peer at the earlier maps for sale on the OS site. There is an area on one of those which is called Aber-Taff-a-Cynon, and that is to the west of the Taff and on north-east side of the last bend of the Cynon before the rivers join. I now think you are right and the census district is just a collection of houses around the confluence which aren't connected to anywhere else - but perhaps more west than east of the Taff.

Regards
John

[ddraigcelt]

Hi i also have been searching for the present day location of The Hamlet of Taff & Cynon. Through my research i have found that Bartholomew's Gazateer of The British Isles describes the place as six and a half miles south east of Merthyr Tydfill on the River Taff.
So i Google mapped it and using the mile scale on the map, The Hamlet of Taff & Cynon lies just about where Quakers Yard is now. I hope this helps.

[John Nicholas]

Hello Ddraigcelt and welcome! Thanks for your comments on this thread. I think the Hamlet of Taff & Cynon is indeed close to Quakers Yard but probably lower and slightly to the west. The name of Quakers Yard appears on the 1841 census as part of Llanfabon - eg HO107/ 1414 / 12 folio 5 pp3,4 - so I don't think the two places can be quite the same.
John

[Gododdin]

Hello John,
As nobody yet has mentioned Genuki, you might consider a look around here: http://www.genuki.org.uk/cgi-bin/placemaps
The larger-scale maps don't seem to help, but you may find something useful as text.
Best of luck,
Godo

[John Nicholas]

Thanks Godo. I had a quick look at Genuki (which I've often used before) but nothing came up immediately. Probably the best thing to do is study how the whole census piece develops and use the description of the census district. I've certainly pinned down a few other uncertain locations by doing that. On one previous example, I found the library in Pontypridd very helpful and they even sent some copy maps to help locate a disappeared address.
John