Norman Tucker Papers

This fonds consists of a variety of material accumulated by Norman Tucker while researching aspects of the history of north Wales and the Denbighshire area in particular, including notes, photographs, articles, newspaper cuttings, pamphlets and correspondence, etc.

It includes a collection of photographs and photographs of prints and drawings (mostly undated, ca. 18th - 20th century) featuring Conwy, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno and castles at Beaumaris, Caergwrle, Caernarfon, Conwy, Deganwy, Denbigh, Dolbadarn, Dolwyddelan, Ewloe, Flint, Harlech, Powis and Rhuddlan.

There are notebooks containing extracts by Norman Tucker from various sources used by him as the basis for his articles and other publications relating to the Civil War in north Wales and family history etc. Also contains articles, some published in the North Wales Weekly News on various aspects of the history of the Conwy, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay districts and Denbighshire including Reminiscences of Colwyn by John W. Lloyd, probably Colwyn's oldest inhabitant, ca. 1923.

Also includes a bundle of newspaper cuttings (1927-1969), pamphlets, brochures, programmes (1945-1968) and transcripts of material from the church register of the parish of Eglwys-bach, Denbighshire, for the years: 1601-1662 and 1695-1739.

Norman Tucker (1894-1972) trained as a journalist but is best known as a local historian and author. He was a prolific writer; the author of twelve historical novels set in his favourite period, the seventeenth century and contributor of many articles to the journals of the Caernarfonshire, Anglesey, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Merionethshire historical societies, including twenty articles on aspects of seventeenth century local history. He also wrote two town histories (Colwyn Bay and Conwy), two biographical works and a history of the Civil War in north Wales.

A notable feature of his books and articles, perhaps helped by his experience as a journalist, is their wealth of illustrations, whether from his own photographs and drawings or those of friends or old prints he had discovered. He was able to gain access to country houses and photograph many family portraits.

He was editor of the Proceedings of the Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and District Field Club and was one of the excursion secretaries of the Denbighshire Historical Society. Those who knew him say he was always happy to share his knowledge and generously gave his time as a lecturer to local organisations.

He lived in Denbighshire and was married with one son.

Material was received on separate occasions, arranged in chronological order and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Open to all users

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, September 2001

Item level word-processed list is available at the Department of Manuscripts at the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 22994-23022, 23025, 23097, 23106-23228, 23768, 24246-24248, 24675-24716, 25724, 31255, 31477, 36445-36458

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.