Pennal or Towyn. Completed.

[Retpara]

Help please!
Can anybody please confirm whether Towyn was previously known as Pennal. The reason being my 3X Gt Grandfather was born in Pennal in 1811 and I am not sure which one as there is another village named Pennal on the A493 between Aberdovey and Machynlleth which now confuses me.
Retpara.

[pinot]

They have always been separate  places; Towyn (or Tywyn) is on the coast of Cardigan Bay, north of Aberdovey (Aberdyfi); Pennal is some 10 miles inland, up the river Dyfi, near Machynlleth. You can find them easily on Google Maps.
                       Pinot 

[Retpara]

Thank you for the info Pinot. What confuses me is on one of the North Wales BMD pages under Pennal, is that Pennal is renamed to Towyn and later to Tywyn between 1878 and 1884.

Pennal / Towyn (Tywyn) subdistrict
(The name was changed from Pennal to Towyn (Tywyn) between 1878 and 1884).

Created 1 July 1837.
In Machynlleth Registration District (1837-1935).
In Merioneth South Registration District (1935-1950 +)
Llanwrin, Pennal, Tywyn (including the town of Aberdyfi).
On 1 April 1904, the civil parish of Llanwrin became part of the Darowen subdistrict; and the civil parish of Ysgubor y Coed was moved from the Machynlleth subdistrict to the Pennal / Tywyn subdistrict.
On 1 June 1924, the civil parishes of Pennal and Ysgubor y Coed were moved to the Machynlleth subdistrict.
Registers now held at Gwynedd (Dolgellau)

This is why I am trying to confirm from other sources to get my 3X Gt Grandfathers birthplace verified is this confusing or what.
Retpara.

[pinot]

Hi Ret,
        Not confusing at all, simply bureaucracy moving borders and making life harder for trusting folks like ourselves. Pennal, Tywyn and Aberdyfi are still in Meirionnydd (and also, more recently, Gwynedd). Machynlleth is still in Montgomeryshire/Powys. I'm sure if you phone or email the nice people at the Record Office below that they will help you out. If not, come back.

                   Pinot

Meirionnydd Record Office, Dolgellau
The Record Office and the Library are at the same location in Dolgellau.  Access to the Record Office is through the Library.

Dolgellau Record Office Opening Hours:
Monday: 9:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
Tuesday: 9:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
Friday: 9:30 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00
Saturday / Sunday: Closed

The Meirionnydd Record Office, Dolgellau, is closed the first week of November annually for stocktaking.

Postal Address: Meirionnydd Archives, Ffordd y Bala, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 2YF
Phone: 01341 424682
Fax: 01341 424683
E-mail: archives.dolgellau@gwynedd.gov.uk

[Retpara]

Hi Pinot,
Many thanks once again for the advice and info, being the weekend the offices are closed and I won't be able to phone at beginning of week, so I have sent them an email so when I get a reply will post on here and keep you informed.
Many thanks for your help.
Retpara.

[Retpara]

Many thanks for all help had email back from Merioneth archives they have always been seperate towns. Once again many thanks for help.........COMPLETED.