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Shooting and game records of the Gogerddan estate, comprising game books and lists, 1804-1920s; and miscellaneous papers relating to gamekeeping and sporting rights, notably the control of poaching and vermin, sporting leases and agreements, and appointments of gamekeepers, 1814-1924.

Tenancy agreements and leases (including memoranda and drafts), 1739-1924, for houses and lands situated in the parishes and townships of Eglwys-fach (Ysgubor-y-coed), Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn, Llangorwen (from 1864), and Llangynfelyn in north Cardiganshire, and Machynlleth in Montgomeryshire. The years 1861 and 1864 each include additional files of arbitration agreements and valuations, and other related documents found with them. There are also numerous notices to quit, both to and by tenants of the estate.

Records mainly of the lead, silver and copper mines belonging to the Gogerddan estate in North Cardiganshire, at Allt y Crib, Blaenceulan, Bronfloyd, Bryn yr Afr, the Bog, Camdwr Bach, Camdwr Mawr, Cwmsymlog, Darren, Eaglebrook, Esgair Hir, Esgair Fraith, Hafan and Henfwlch, the Island, Loveden Mine, South Darren, Taliesin and the Vaughan Mines, mainly in the parishes of Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn and Llangynfelyn, Grogwynion in the parish of Llanafan and numerous other locations. These papers often incorporate records of the stone quarries at Hafan, Cwmere, Pentalwr, Penrhyngerwyn, Penglais and other sites. The various series comprise ore weighing tickets, 1850-1862; tack (take) notes, 1732-1924; bargain books, 1825-1851; miscellaneous Gogerddan mining accounts, 1668-1918; mining ledgers, 1875-1918; mining receipt books, 1897-1918; Gogerddan and East Darren mining cost books and ledgers: 1842-1894; royalty returns, 1774, 1838-1910; leases and agreements, 1656-1918; mining surveys, reports, prospectuses, etc., 1670-1923; letters, 1697-1920; and sale catalogues, 1882-1915.

Letters mainly to the Pryse and Loveden family of Gogerddan, Buscot Park and Woodstock or their representatives, from specific correspondents, namely Charles Deare of the Inner Temple, 1803-1843, James Morse of Carmarthen and others involved in his case, 1831-1855,, and Boys and Tweedie, solicitors, of Ely Place and Lincolns Inn Fields, 1845-1924, whose files have also preserved the outgoing letters originally sent to them by the Pryses. The solicitors’ letters concern mainly the Pryse family settlements and trusts, provision for the family widows and younger children, estate purchases and sales, mortgages, and the financial management of the Buscot Park, Woodstock and Gogerddan estates. The letters and papers of James Morse discuss his case as a defaulter to the Crown but they also provide insights into his career and his involvement in Cardiganshire politics in the mid-nineteenth century. There is also a single file of letters to Charles Hayes, Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company, 1733-1748.

Papers of miscellaneous agricultural societies and shows in Cardiganshire, Merioneth and national associations, 1872-1924.

Printed sale catalogues for portions of the Gogerddan estate and for other Cardiganshire estates in which Gogerddan may have had an interest, 1858-1923; and sale agreements, notices, schedules of property for sale, etc, 1813-1921. The properties were situated mainly in the parishes of Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanfihangel Genau’r-Glyn and Llangynfelyn.

Forestry and timber production records of the Gogerddan estate, 1816-1923. They comprise accounts, both in volumes and on loose sheets; timber harvesting books; and timber valuations, particulars, agreements and letters concerning timber.

Agricultural production records of the Gogerddan etate and official papers issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and other organisations, 1796-1922. They consist of miscellaneous Gogerddan farm accounts, 1813-1919; regular series of farmer’s weekly account books, 1814-1921, and dairy acounts, 1881-1919; cultivation and livestock husbandry papers, 1796-1920; stud books and horse-breeding papers, 1875-1922; and official agricultural returns, valuations and printed tracts, 1835-1918

Papers deriving from applications by the owners of the Gogerddan estate to the Land Loan and Enfranchisement Company and the Lands Improvement Company for loans to fund various improvements to Gogerddan mansion and other estate poperties, 1872-1921. There were at least five separate applications, identified by contract numbers noted in the two series below. The papers comprise mainly schedules of Gogerddan properties charged with the outlay, particulars and estimates, absolute orders of the enclosure commissioners and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and routine correspondence from the loan companies.

Building specifications and estimates for new buildings and repairs to maintain existing properties belonging to the Gogerddan estate, 1766-1921, and numerous bills, receipts and rough accounts, 1766-1896. There is evidence of building or renovation work at Gogerddan mansion, Cwmcynfelyn and Lodge Park, as well as in Glanclettwr and many other local farm houses. This section is a rich source of local information from the mid to late nineteenth century, providing the names of Aberystwyth and Machynlleth tradesmen who supplied the building materials, the increasing use of rail freight to transport them, the names of the workmen, and the nature of the structural repairs. Much of the Gogerddan building work in the late nineteenth century was done in accordance with the Improvement of Land Act, under the conditions stipulated by the land loan companies.

Records of various manors, either held by the Pryse/Loveden family or in which they had an interest, 1610-1906, firstly the lordship of East and West Pembroke, 1736-1756, [late 18th cent]; the manor of Cyfeiliog, [c. 1674]-1920; Anhuniog, Creuddyn, Cyfoethybrenin and miscellaneous other manors, 1610-1906. Files of particular interest include an original bundle of ‘old papers’ relating to the manor of Cyfeiliog, [c. 1674]-1920; a copy (dated 1830) of the history of the crown manor of Creuddyn by Lewis Morris, 1750; and early court leet presentments for Llanbedr Pont Steffan (Lampeter), 1610-1758 (with gaps). Other records typically include appointments or deputations of stewards and gamekeepers, chief rentals, court leet presentments, and papers relating to boundaries and fences.

Records of the manors of Emlyn Iscych (Emlyn Is Cuch) and Dyffryn Breuan in Pembrokeshire, which had descended to the Pryses of Gogerddan by inheritance from the Lewes family of Abernantbychan, comprising chief rentals, 1742, 1793, 1853-1919; court books and court leet presentments, 1832-1918; accounts and receipts, 1646, 1843-1915; and letters, 1876-1895. The court leet was held at Boncath.

Papers of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 1849-1919., and the Society’s show at Cardiff, 1919.

Records of the manor of Genau’r-glyn (Genaur-glyn) , Cardiganshire, belonging to the Pryse family of Gogerddan, who were lords of the manor. The main series comprise chief rentals, [1682]-1894; court leet presentments, 1721-1918; perambulations of the boundaries, 1857-1908; estreats, 1622-1820; affidavits and notices concerning wrecks, 1747-1882; and officers' papers such as appointments of officers, constables’ returns and notices to the bailiff to summon the court leet, 1752-1913. A further series contains assorted papers including a table of court fees, jury lists, a valuation, a constable’s list of estrays, and other documents relating to the administration and the title of the manor, 1729-1913.

Papers of the Talybont and North Cardiganshire Agricultural Society, 1896-1919. They comprise a single series of show administration papers, namely a minute book, show schedules and balance sheet.

Papers relating to the planning and construction of the Hafan Tramway, which was a narrow-gauge railway in Cardiganshire, constructed for the transport of lead ore from the mines at Bwlch Glas and stone from Hafan Quarry to the station at Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn (Llandre). It is referred to consistently in the Gogerddan estate papers as the Hafan Tramway. The principal instigators of the project were Thomas Molyneux, an industrialist of Earlestown, Lancashire, and John Davis. The route initially was to extend to Ynyslas or Clarach to facilitate shipping but this proved impractical. The tramway was completed in 1897 and it also ran a limited passenger service. Molyneux also planned a tunnel under Hafan, extending the line to Bryn yr Afr mine. The tramway enterprise was not economically viable and it only lasted two years. By 1906 proposals were made to reconstruct a mineral line, mainly on Gogerddan land, with the possiblility of converting to standard gauge between Llanfihangel Genau’r-glyn and Tal-y-bont if necessary. It was also proposed to reopen the Hafan quarry if viable.
The papers comprise deeds, surveys, reports, valuations and various other papers, 1875-1913, and numerous letters, 1888-1919, a large proportion of which are from Thomas Molyneux of Earlestown, the principal instigator of the scheme..

Papers relating to various charities and schools either founded by or supported by the Pryse family of Gogerddan, 1752-1914. They include two national charities and two of local interest, the Gogerddan charity, 1856-1866, and Lady Pryse’s charity during scarlet fever epidemic, 1873. The school papers comprise mainly letters and accounts concerning Penrhyn-coch, Commins Coch, Clarach and other schools,, together with some additional items concerning local churches, chapels and estate matters, 1752-1910. One file relates to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1910.

Records of the Gogerddan estate relating to mining and quarrying in the county of Merioneth, comprising leases of lead mines at Llanelltud and unspecified locations 1699-1702, 1849; and quarrying letters and accounts, 1861-1913

Gogerddan show papers, 1890-1910,

Papers deriving from the foundation and early years of the Welsh National Agricultural Society, based at Cambrian Chambers in Aberystwyth, 1904-1910. They comprise several files of loose letters and papers accumulated by its first secretary, Lewes Pryse of Gogerddan, relating to the purpose and formation of the Society, and to the organisation of the national agricultural show; and printed schedules of the shows held initially at Aberystwyth, 1903-1909, then at Llanelli, 1910.