Bwrdd Neges Archefol - Archived Messageboard 2015

Family History help please
Posted by Peter Miller on 1/1/2015, 11:59 am

My great grandparents and their family lived at 6 Ashfield Row Llangadog from 1893 until their deaths in the mid 1940s.They were married at Gosen Chapel, Llangadog. There is a memorial headstone to them and some members of the family in llangadog Cemetery. George Miller (Grandfather) worked on the railway and was apparently known for growing vegatables.My granmother was Margaret. Their children were Charlotte, Thomas, John and William. If anyone can help with information please email me at pmiller13@btopenworld.com Many thanks

Family History
Posted by Huw George on 7/2/2015, 5:21 pm

Does anyone have any information on a family by the name of Watkins of Llwyndewi, Llangadog? I am researching a family by that name who had connections with Llwyndewi around 1700-1800. Where could I find information about the owners/occupiers of Llwyndewi about this time? Names I have so far are William Watkins, Sarah Watkins, Thomas John Watkins. Thanks

Ashfield Row
Posted by Chris Read on 31/3/2011, 4:28 pm

I live at the top of Ashfield Row and would like to find out more about the history of this small community, particularly old photographs/pictures. Any help would be appreciated and any photos/pictures copied and returned of course.
Thank you

Re: Ashfield Row
Posted by Lloyd Evans on 2/4/2011, 6:23 pm, in reply to "Ashfield Row"

Dear Chris

If you scroll back in the messages to 19th July 2007 you'll find a copy I posted of an old postcard that might be of interest to you.
Regards

Lloyd

Re: Ashfield Row
Posted by Peter Miller on 18/2/2015, 5:10 pm, in reply to "Ashfield Row"

Hi
My great grandfather lived at 6 Ashfield Row from 1901 (census) until his death in 1941. I have details of his family and life if you are interested. Email pmiller13@btopenworld.com
Peter

Re: Ashfield Row
Posted by Chris on 18/2/2015, 8:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Ashfield Row"

Thank you for the information, I'll pass that on to the present occupant

gwynfe school
Posted by natasha on 6/4/2015, 12:05 am

Hi I was just wondering if any one has a photo of gwynfe primary school just before it closed down. I would like a photo of my old primary but cant find any many thanks

Re: gwynfe school
Posted by JDR Thomas on 17/4/2015, 8:39 am, in reply to "gwynfe school"

Dear Natasha,

If you'll email me I'll try and Download a photo of Ysgol Gwynfe to you. I was honoured by being President of the Day at the wonderful Reunion of 1997 when there were just 12 pupils on the roll compared with over 70 at my time and even that number in the late 1950s.

JDR

Re: gwynfe school
Posted by natasha on 17/4/2015, 10:57 am, in reply to "Re: gwynfe school"

hi im not sure how to email you. but my email address is tashasfreebies@hotmail.co.uk

Geology
Posted by Julie on 6/5/2015, 12:41 pm

Does anyone have a copy of this leaflet - llandovery geology walk? Also has anyone got any books/maps/leaflets on local geology/strata. The local libraries are very good but have limited rescources on this subject. Particularly interested in the Llandovery fault, Llangadog and Llandeilo areas.

June & July services at Capel Jerusalem
Posted by Carie Johnsen on 9/6/2015, 12:47 am

Can anyone tell me what Sundays services will be held at Capel Jerusalem in June and July? What time is service?
Thanks, Carie

Re: June & July services at Capel Jerusalem
Posted by J D R Thomas on 13/6/2015, 9:06 pm, in reply to "June & July services at Capel Jerusalem"

I have enquired and have discovered that there are relatively few services - the only one at JERUSALEM being on 26 July 2015 at 10.00 h (A Communion Service). Here are other related Services at which members of the 4 constituent chapels meet:
Providence Llangadog: Tomorrow 14 June at 10.00h.
Capel Maen, Gwynfe: 21 June at 18.30h (6.30 pm)

By way of interest there is a 90th Birthday Party on 18 June at 3.00 pm of Hetty Williams Widow of Alwyn.

Now, who are you. Mae'n debyg eich bod yn Gymraes, and connected with Gwynfe Cottage.

Best Wishes,
JDR

Ancestry with links to Morgans: Pantmawr, Howells: Cwmgwenllen, Ysguborwen & Capel Jerusalem
Posted by Carie Johnsen on 7/7/2015, 9:42 am, in reply to "Re: June & July services at Capel Jerusalem"

Hi JDR,
Thank you for your information on Capel Jerusalem. I was saddened to find out I won't be here the weekend of service at Capel Jerusalem.

My Grx4 grandfather Samuel Jones Howell (born on "Cwmgwenllan" 1798 & immigrated to USA 1851) was a lay preacher during the early part of the 19th century. His son, John Howells (born "Ysguborwen" 1820 also immigrated 1851) married Margaret Morgan daughter of the Morgan Morgans (1799-aft 1861) & Gwenllian Jones of "Pantmawr." In looking at some of the old tithe maps at the NLW, I saw that Morgan Morgans was listed as the occupier of Capel Jerusalem property in 1836. It is all very fascinating to me.

My Grx5 grandfather David Howell (1764 - 1839) is recorded as living at "Pwllaber" Llanddeusant. I can't seem to find any such farm in the area. Some local farmers tell me there was no such farm and it was most likely "Pont Aber" which 1841 census records indicate his son, also David, lived on.

Anyway, I will not be able to attend a service but I did tell Glynis to call me if she needed help cleaning the yard the Capel property.

I am on my second visit from the US. I am here until July 23rd and happy to talk to anyone else who is fascinated with this history or has stories to tell.

Carie Johnsen,
Dennisport, MA, USA

Re: June & July services at Capel Jerusalem
Posted by J D R THOMAS on 8/7/2015, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Re: June & July services at Capel Jerusalem"

You have interesting links back to CWMGWENLLAN, Gwynfe, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire of SAMUEL JONES HOWELLS, born before Feb 20 1798 as son of DAVID HOWEL 1764-1839 and Margaret Thomas born before 03 March 1791 in Llangadog, died before 19 August 1805 at age ~35.

There is an extensive record of this family in http://linkstothepast.com/waukesha/howell.php entitled "Ancestors of Edward Rees Howell", who was born 04 April 1882 in Ottawa Tsp., Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Edward Rees Howell was son of Edward Howell born 10 June 1831 in CWMGWENLLAN, Gwynfe, LLANGADOG died Sullivan Tsp., Jefferson County, WI at 89 on 16 September 1920, and Elizabeth Felix born 14 September 1847 in TY CORNEL, Tregaron, Cardiganshire; died age 86 29 October 1932 in Sullivan Tsp., Jefferson County, WI.

BEST WISHES. Interestingly, a Great Grandfather of mine: DAVID WILLIAMS 1832-1904 was baptised 19 January 1832 at Ysguborwern, Gwynfe, Llangadog; he was a first cousin to Sir John Williams 1840-1926, Founder President of the National Library of Wales.

Regards,
JDR

village history
Posted by June Stait on 10/11/2014, 6:23 pm

Hi Peter
Haven't read the village website for some time. Just seen your note about village history. I have Betty Bran's dictated notes, and other gleaned history, and some old handwritten records I'd like to show you. Are you planning to do something mindblowing with your information? Or is it just for you?
email me.
June

Re: village history
Posted by Peter Miller on 4/2/2015, 7:26 pm, in reply to "village history"

Hi June,
Please contact me on pmiller13@btopenworld.com to discuss further
Thanks
Peter

I have for the last sixty years in my possession a childs school textbook from the 1880s’. What I find interesting about it is that it contains in a single volume all subjects, e.g. geography, geology, history, physiology, philosophy, mechanics and poetry. The book’s original owner has inscribed his details; William Thomas, Chapel House, Llangadock and used the preface page to practice his handwriting. According to the 1881 census William Thomas was born in Llangadock about 1868. He was the son of David Thomas (shoemaker) and Ann Thomas. Is this of interest to anyone.

John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by Norma Carlin on October 5, 2008, 11:13 am

One of my ancestors is Jon JONES of Gwynfe b 1805 approx. I presume he was a younger son, as after marriage he moved to live with his wife’s family at Clwyd y fferch Llandybie. Does anyone have any knowledge of an early 19t century JONES family of Gwynfe?

Norma Carlin, Staffordshire

Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by john lewis on 15/5/2009, 2:06 pm, in reply to "John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)"

Hi Norma,
For what it is worth i remember Clwyd i Ffyrch farm Llandybie.Sadly it fell victim to the dreaded open-cast in the early 60,ies.If you want look-up help relating let me know.
John Lewis

Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by Norma Carlin on 19/6/2013, 8:04 pm, in reply to "Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)"

Dear Mr Lewis ,
Just found your reply - purely by chance.
I know it is a VERY late reply, but I would be very interested in any information you have about Clwyd y Fferch farm

Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by john lewis on 19/6/2013, 9:41 pm, in reply to "Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)"

Hi, What would you like to know?

John

Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by Norma Carlin on 12/7/2014, 8:29 pm, in reply to "Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)"

Dear Mr Lewis ,

Its norma Carlin again, back on the quest re Family History.

I was just wondering if you had any memories of Clwyd y Fferch ( building type , detail re house etc)that you may be willing to share.

I have thought of trying to access Coal Board records. I have no idea if they would be available.

Norma Carlin

Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)
Posted by john lewis on 1/8/2015, 4:29 pm, in reply to "Re: John JONES b approx 1805 (originally posted 3rd Oct 2008)"

Hi Norma,

Sorry about the prolonged break but missed your response.
Clwyd y Ffyrch was a small typical tenant farm, mostli Dairy cattle.If you Google NLS maps you cam see its shape on an early OS map.What is interesting is that you can look at old/new side by side.The Byng map on the rhs shows what is there today post-Open Cast.Often visited the farmer and his wife(or perhaps sister)while local neighbours would help with hay harvest although their farm servant(gwas)would us kids out of the long hay which was great fun to play in.The river Gwine which traversed the farm often ran black with the coal dust from the local colliery while the steam train puffed away on the mineral line behind the farm.This was not typical Valley Wales but open countryside on the fringe of the coalfield itself.Another memorable feature of the wet, boggy land aroun the farm was the number of curlews and lapwings that used to inhabit the area; their respective cries were a vivid memory and of course, have now completely disappeared.Come back to me if I can further enbellish.

Hwyl, John

Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s
Posted by Claire Young on 2/9/2014, 5:12 pm

I was most interested to find your website. My paternal grandmother, Bessie Priscilla Toms/Williams, was a bar maid in the Telegraph Inn during the war. I wonder if there is anyone who might remember her? Or any pictures from that time?

She married Dai "Pickyn" Williams during the war and my late father was her second son, born in 1947. He used to travel to secondary school from the station at Llangadog. I think when my father was a child his maternal grandfather, Frank Toms, would go down to the Telegraph Inn for a drink of a Saturday night and he and his brother would be left outside. Before he died, my father showed me and my sons round some of the places he's been as a child and the Telegraph Inn was one of them.

I would be interested in any information from that time. Do you know where I would be able to access local newspaper archives? There is a national online newspaper archive, but that only covers the Carmarthen Journal up to 1919 so is no help for this period.

Regards,

Claire Young

Re: Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s
Posted by J D R Thomas on 2/9/2014, 8:31 pm, in reply to "Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s"

I was in my teens during World War 2 and have some recollections of the TELEGRAPH INN of that era, but I know nothing of the life of the BAR. It was a collecting point for the annual Wool Crop from the early summer sheep shearing. DAVIES Telegraph was agent for the Woollen Manufacturers of Bradford, and the wool would be graded by a visiting grader.

The TELEGRAPH was the place where in April the returning Tack Sheep from Lampeter would be unloaded from the lorry and where the yearlings would be sorted out for their owners (while the lorry would return to Lampeter to collect the next from the Cardiganshire farmers with whom they'd been tacked from the previous October.

My last contact with the TELEGRAPH was in July 1960 when I delivered that summer's wool crop. Prices were good at that time, but prices have dropped sharply since then - although there are some signs of a small uplift.

Regards,
JDR

Re: Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s
Posted by Claire Young on 7/9/2014, 11:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s"

Thanks for your recollections. It certainly adds some colour to the stories I've heard.

Claire

Re: Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s
Posted by Mick Unsworth on 11/11/2015, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Telegraph Inn - 1940s and 1950s"

Hi
i lived at the Telegraph as a child 1968 -74. We had a bloke Tom/Toms? living in the flat that was to the side of the pub.

John Williams family tree
Posted by Susan on 8/11/2015, 9:33 pm

I'm looking for a link to Margaret Thomas of Penrhyw, Gwynfe. She seemed to be some relation to Sir John Williams, as he visited her in Brynaman. She was married to Evan Thomas, son of Anne Williams and David Thomas of Cwmrhywddu

Re: John Williams family tree
Posted by JDR THOMAS on 10/11/2015, 2:23 pm, in reply to "John Williams family tree"

The Williams of Rhiwddu, Gwynfe built Cwm Rhiwddu, initially for retirement to accommodate
a descendant at Rhiwddu (and later connected to Rhiwddu Shop at Brynaman). But there isn't a straightforward link (if any) with the Williams family (including Sir John Williams) of Blaenllynant, Gwynfe.

Sir John Williams Bart. GCVO had no paternal descendants, but he visited (and was visited) various people. The most Direct Descendants of Sir John Williams 1840-1926 emanate from the issue of Sir John's father's (David 1802-1842) namely Morgan Williams 1800-1892 born at Blaenllynant, who by his wife Elizabeth nee Evans of Gellybevan had issue of 11 children going on to around 50 grandchildren (one of whom Thomas Lloyd Williams kept shop at Penrhiw until his death in 1937 (born 1873). The only Margaret Thomas I can recall in this connection is Nee Williams (who was my paternal Grandmother). The story is too long for me to keep on going!
SORRY for this accidental deletion (JDR)
g for a link to Margaret Thomas of
: Penrhyw, Gwynfe. She seemed to be some
: relation to Sir John Williams, as he visited
: her in Brynaman. She was married to Evan
: Thomas, son of Anne Williams and David
: Thomas of Cwmrhywddu.

Re: John Williams family tree
Posted by Susan Thomas on 12/11/2015, 9:31 pm, in reply to "Re: John Williams family tree"

My grandmother Margaret Jane Thomas, born 1884 at Gorsto, Brynaman, was the daughter of Evan Thomas and Margaret Thomas.
Margaret Thomas b1849 was the daughter of Morgan Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, who lived at Penrhiw (maybe the bottom of the 3 Penrhiws) from 1841 to 1891. Evan Thomas b1849 was the son of Anne Williams (daughter of Rhiwddu Williamss) and David Thomas, they lived at Cwmrhiwddu from 1851 for most of the time untill 1901 ish. Sir John Williams used to vist my Great Grandmother Margaret Thomas b1849 at Gorsto in Brynaman.But you don't think there was a family link?

Re: John Williams family tree
Posted by J D R Thomas on 14/11/2015, 11:23 am, in reply to "Re: John Williams family tree"

Thanks for your reply, with details of your Grandmother Margaret Jane Thomas - born 1884 at Gorsto Brynaman (that I shall follow up to pursue my discussions of about 2 years ago with a Mair Jones concerning Williams of Rhiwddu and Cwmrhiwddu. It is likely that Sir John Williams 1840-1926 may have visited your Great Grandmother Margaret Thomas b. 1849, because of his Uncle (Morgan Williams 1800-1892 - elder brother of his father David 1802-1842) living his last years at Mountain Road, Brynaman with his daughter Margaret Thomas 1826-1888 nee Williams' family.

Re: John Williams family tree
Posted by Susan Thomas on 15/11/2015, 8:13 am, in reply to "Re: John Williams family tree"

Thank you - so interesting!
Mair Jones is a descendant of another branch of our Rhiwddu family

Re: John Williams family tree
Posted by JDR THOMAS on 10/11/2015, 2:42 pm, in reply to "John Williams family tree"

More information: Anne Williams was age 25 at Rhiwddu in 1841 Census (different Williams (at least of close relation with Blaenllynant's Sir John Williams). Anne was 35 in 1851 Census as wife of David Thomas at Cwmrhiwddu and also in 1861 Census.