Dr B. G. Charles Research Papers

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Finding aid available in hard copy at NLW.

May 2002.

Compiled by Ann Francis Evans.

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.

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

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 are possible.

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.

Published