# Gwent Archives
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
thumb|250px|Gwent Archives building
'''Gwent Archives''' ([Welsh](/source/Welsh_language): ''Archifau Gwent'') is the local records office and [genealogy](/source/genealogy) centre, based in [Ebbw Vale](/source/Ebbw_Vale), [South Wales](/source/South_Wales) for the historic county of [Monmouthshire](/source/Monmouthshire). It covers the modern local authority areas of [Blaenau Gwent](/source/Blaenau_Gwent_County_Borough_Council), [Caerphilly County Borough](/source/Caerphilly_County_Borough), [Monmouthshire](/source/Monmouthshire_County_Council), [Newport](/source/Newport_City_Council) and [Torfaen](/source/Torfaen_County_Borough_Council).[{{cite web|url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/am482316 |title=Gwent Archives |publisher=Culture24 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}]
==Background==
Monmouthshire Record Office was established in 1938 at the [Shire Hall](/source/Shire_Hall%2C_Newport) in [Newport](/source/Newport%2C_Monmouthshire). Following local government reorganisation in 1974, it became the Gwent County Record Office and moved to the newly built County Hall in [Cwmbran](/source/Cwmbran).[{{cite news|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/9278046.Gwent_records_office_to_open_next_month/ |title=Gwent records office to open next month |work=[South Wales Argus](/source/South_Wales_Argus) | date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}]
==Location==
The Gwent Archives are housed in the Grade II* listed office buildings of [Ebbw Vale Steelworks](/source/Ebbw_Vale_Steelworks). The red brick building with its tall clock tower was built in 1915/6 for the Ebbw Vale Iron and Steel Company.[{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-22530-british-steel-tinplate-works-general-offi#.VsOWI0BRSx0 |title=British Steel Tinplate Works General Office, Ebbw Vale South |publisher=British Listed Buildings |accessdate=16 February 2015}}] In 2009 plans were approved for architects [Stride Treglown](/source/Stride_Treglown) to convert the building into a headquarters for Gwent Record Office, with a new extension, exhibition and educational facilities.[{{cite news|url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/stride-treglown%E2%80%99s-gwent-record-office-gets-green-light/3145811.article |title=Stride Treglown’s Gwent Record Office gets green light |work=[Building Design](/source/Building_Design) | date=28 July 2009 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}][{{cite web |url=http://www.stridetreglown.com/en/sectors/public-and-community/public-buildings/1735-gwent-archive-and-genealogy-centre.html |title=Gwent Archive and Genealogy Centre |publisher=Stride Treglown |accessdate=16 February 2015 |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223918/http://www.stridetreglown.com/en/sectors/public-and-community/public-buildings/1735-gwent-archive-and-genealogy-centre.html |url-status=dead }}] The building was finished off with a bilingual poem specially written by the [National Poet of Wales](/source/National_Poet_of_Wales), [Gillian Clarke](/source/Gillian_Clarke), which is partially reproduced on the facade of the new extension.[{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/51dbcaa6-7402-3b15-a161-db0a5c0c1d78 |title=Gillian Clarke pens new poem for opening of Gwent Archives |publisher=BBC Wales blog | date=9 December 2011 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}]
==Holdings==
Gwent Archives has two main strongrooms with 6 miles (10 km) of shelving,[{{cite news |url=http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/new-gwent-archives-centre-launches |title=New Gwent archives centre launches |work=[Who Do You Think You Are? (Magazine)](/source/Who_Do_You_Think_You_Are%3F_(UK_TV_series)) |date=15 November 2011 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}] containing records going back as far as the 12th-century.[{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwentarchives.gov.uk/our-collection/archives.aspx|title=Gwent Archives collection|website=www.gwentarchives.gov.uk|access-date=2019-04-26|archive-date=26 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426120032/http://www.gwentarchives.gov.uk/our-collection/archives.aspx|url-status=dead}}] The new wing has a double roof to help keep a stable temperature and environment.[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15421267 |title=Ebbw Vale steelworks office reopens after £12m refit |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |author=Nicola Smith | date=24 October 2011 |accessdate=16 February 2016 }}] The Ebbw Vale Steelworks Archive Trust,[{{Cite web|url=http://evwat.co.uk/|title=The Ebbw Vale Works Museum Home|website=evwat.co.uk|access-date=2019-04-26}}] a voluntary group which preserves the history of the industry in the area, is also based at the Archives.