A search for the missing history of the Penrallt Hotel in Aberporth has uncovered a unique set of Edwardian postcards.

The 20 postcards – some depicting local scenes – were sent to the cook at the Penrallt when it was a privately-owned house in the early years of the last century.

Eliza Thomas was the resident cook at the great house from 1908 to 1911.

Born in 1878 in Llwyncelyn, near Cilgerran, she worked at a few large houses in the area.

The postcards now belong to her grand-daughter, Bethan Evans, of Glynarthen.

“I suppose she started as a housemaid and I think she mentioned being a parlour maid before becoming a cook,” said Mrs Evans.

“Of course I can trace where she was at different times because I inherited her collection of postcards. They were very popular at that time – that is how they kept in touch before Facebook etc!”

The team at the Penrallt are now going to use copies of the postcards to create pictures for the hotel interior.

“We know that the Penrallt has 400 years of history and we are slowly piecing it all together,” said hotel events co-ordinator Sue Lewis.

“We are very grateful to Mrs Evans for sharing this fascinating part of her family history with us.”

Mrs Evans also gave a breakdown of the staffing at the Penrallt in 1911 – the family of six led by East India merchant William Reddie had a total of 11 staff, including Eliza Thomas.