Saron Graveyard · Troedyrhiw
Friends of Saron is a volunteer-led project to conserve the historic nonconformist graveyard at Saron, Troedyrhiw — and to tell the stories of those buried here.
About the project
Saron graveyard sits on the hillside above Troedyrhiw in the Merthyr valley. Established in the early nineteenth century, it became the final resting place of ironworkers, ministers, tradespeople, housewives, children and others from this part of industrial South Wales.
The Friends of Saron group formed in 2009 when local residents became concerned about the deteriorating condition of the site. Since then volunteers have cleared vegetation, repaired boundary walls, stabilised headstones and begun the careful task of recording each burial.
“Saron is part of the story of how ordinary people in the valleys lived, worked, worshipped and cared for each other.”Friends of Saron volunteer
History
1820
A number of people in the area decided to start a Sunday School with help from Bethesda Chapel in Merthyr. Initially the school and services took place from house to house but later at the Old Mill and the Harp Inn.
1835
Land is provided by Sir Josiah John Guest of the Dowlais Iron Company, who claimed ownership, for the building of Saron Chapel and the associated burial ground.
1852
Saron Chapel is rebuilt to accommodate a growing congregation drawn from the rapidly expanding mining and ironworking community. The actual landowner was found to be Wyndham Lewis and he granted a lease for this purpose.
Late 19th – early 20th century
Burials reflect the social history of the valley: industrial accidents, epidemics, migration, revival movements and the impact of war are all recorded in the inscriptions.
1960s – early 2000s
With the decline of heavy industry and changes in patterns of worship, chapel attendance falls. Following the closure of the chapel in 1983 and its subsequent demolition, the burial ground progressively becomes overgrown and the condition of the memorials and boundary walls deteriorates.
2009
Concerned local residents form the Friends of Saron group to take action. Regular work days begin, and links are made with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the landowner, the leaseholder and a variety of organisations and individuals potentially capable of providing guidance and support.
Today
Volunteers continue the painstaking work of vegetation management, stone conservation and inscription recording. The online Burials Register allows families and researchers around the world to explore Saron’s story.
What we do
Regular work days see volunteers clearing vegetation, making safe leaning stones, repairing boundaries and improving access paths. All work is done with hand tools and taking great care to avoid damage.
No specialist skills are required – just appropriate clothing and a willingness to help. Training, tools and plenty of tea are provided.
Every legible inscription is transcribed, photographed and cross-referenced with census records, parish registers, nonconformist burial records and Welsh newspaper archives.
This work feeds directly into the public Burials Register — a permanent, searchable record for families tracing their South Wales ancestry.
We hold regular open days, guided walks and talks in partnership with local schools, Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council and heritage organisations across South Wales.
Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome — no experience required. Just bring enthusiasm for Welsh history and comfortable footwear.
A section of the graveyard has been designated as a managed wildflower habitat, supporting pollinators and providing a peaceful green space for the community.
Gallery
Our Story in Pictures
These dated photographs trace how Saron graveyard has changed — from an overgrown and derelict site to the cared-for place of remembrance it is today — thanks to years of community effort and volunteer work.
2009
2009
2012
2013
2019
2020
2024
2025
2025
2025
2025
Support the project
Every donation helps us restore memorials, keep the graveyard tidy and safe, and continue recording the people laid to rest here for future generations. Even a small gift makes a real difference.
Payments are handled securely by Stripe. You can pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay — no account needed.
FAQ
Use our Burials Register page — search by surname, first name, year of death or plot number. You can also browse row by row using the interactive plot map. If your ancestor isn't yet listed, contact us and we'll check our offline records.
Yes, Saron graveyard in Troedyrhiw is open to visitors. We recommend wearing sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven in places. Guided tours can be arranged by contacting us in advance.
Use the contact form on this site or come along to one of our regular work days — usually the first Saturday of each month. No experience needed; training and equipment are provided.
Donations are gratefully received and go directly to materials, professional conservation work, and archive access costs. Please get in touch via the contact form and we'll provide donation details.
The graveyard is divided into rows A through K. Each row contains numbered plots. So plot B-14 means Row B, plot 14. You can explore all 438 plots on our interactive plot map on the Burials Register page.
If you have information about those buried at Saron, would like to volunteer, or wish to arrange a visit or talk, please use the form below.
Thank you — your message has been sent to Friends of Saron.
Burials Register
A growing list of the burials we have been able to identify at Saron graveyard, Troedyrhiw. Search by name or plot, filter by row and decade, and click a name to read a short biography where available.
| Surname | Forenames | Died | Age | Plot | Notes |
|---|
Plot Map
438 plots across Rows A–K, read like a book from A1 (top) to K18 (bottom). Hover or tap a plot to see details. Click to view a burial record. Plot counts per row are our best estimate from the ongoing burial survey.
Site Plan
The grid above is a simplified guide. Plots at Saron are not a standard size and are set out differently in each row, so this measured plan shows how the graves actually sit within the graveyard. An X marks an unmarked plot, and “+ approx” notes show where the number of graves in a gap is an educated estimate. The survey is ongoing, so this plan will be updated as more graves are identified.
