More of Carmarthenshire's archives back on view

Three more of Carmarthenshire Archives collections have been made available to view.
The records include Carmarthenshire Court of Quarter Sessions 1794-1971 – order books and judge’s notebook, Carmarthenshire Rural District Council minute books from 1950-1972 and Carmarthen District Council minute books from 1974-1996.
The Court of Quarter Sessions usually tried crimes that could not be tried summarily by the Justices of the Peace without a jury in petty sessions, and were sent up by the process of indictment to be heard in Quarter Sessions.

The court did not have jurisdiction to hear the most serious crimes such as capital punishment or later life imprisonment.

These crimes were sent for trial at the Great Sessions, or after 1830, the Assize Court.

In addition to its criminal jurisdiction and prior to the creation of the County Council in 1888, the court was also responsible for a number of administrative functions, such the repairs of roads and bridges, supervising the lunatic asylum, setting the county rate, the County Constabulary, the licensing of public houses and the County Militia.
The minute books of the former Carmarthen Rural District and District Council, give a fairly detailed insight into the management of Carmarthen District in the second half of the twentieth century.
The documents are being stored temporarily at Glamorgan Archives until a suitable permanent location is found following an outbreak of mould in the strong rooms at Parc Myrddin.
The council’s executive board member, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glamorgan Archives who have agreed to temporarily store the material and make it available for public access while an alternative location is identified now that Parc Myrddin is no longer suitable.”
Anyone wishing to view the listed material in person can email glamro@cardiff.gov.uk or call 029 2087 2200.

The Glamorgan Archives website is athttp://www.glamarchives.gov.uk/