LOCAL historians now have better access to the past following the transfer of more of the county's parochial records to Pembrokeshire.

An agreement with the Church in Wales and the National Library of Wales, has resulted in additional parochial records for Pembrokeshire parishes being made available at the County's Record Office in Haverfordwest.

They include poor rate books, vestry meeting minute books, pew account books, faculties and other paperwork relating to the organisation of the ecclesiastical parish.

"The new documents tell us a great deal about people's lives in the past - particularly those who had very little and of whom little is otherwise known," said archivist, Nikki Bosworth.

"They provide an unique insight into the past and will be a valuable research tool for local historians."

Records now available include a survey of farms in the parish of Castlemartin - but in the back of a volume from St. Petrox parish - lists the numbers of horses, bulls and oxen, cows, pigs, calves and sheep on farms such as Bulliber, Pennyholt and Gupton circa 1813. The quantities of harvested crops were also recorded eg strikes (two bushels) of wheat Winchester, bushels of barley and oats and loads of hay.

At Christmas 1879, Mr. and Mrs. Philipps, of Picton Castle, distributed money to the poor of Saundersfoot. A list of those benefiting from this largess is to be found amongst the records of St. Issell's parish. They include Mary Harries, of Kingsmoor, who is described as "very poor", Susan Williams, of Valley, who had a crippled husband and Sarah Thomas, of Brown's Tenement, who was blind.

The Overseers' account book for the parish of Llawhaden contains details of their expenditure towards the relief of the poor. In 1773, they contributed 6s 6d for a coat for David Rees, 15s 6d for the funeral of Lettice John and 19s for the work of thatchers and masons on Elizabeth Merriman's house.

All these documents - and more - are currently available for public research at the Pembrokeshire Record Office, which is located in the grounds of Haverfordwest Castle.

The office is open Mondays to Thursdays 9 am to 4.45 pm (10 am on first Monday of month); Fridays 9 am to 4.15 pm and on the first Saturday of the month (except Bank Holiday weekends) from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Further information is available from the Record Office on 01437 763707, [email protected]">[email protected] or http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk">www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk (search for 'record office').