I am seeking information about my grandfather, Archibald Mitchell, who was born 28 Dec 1988 in Lopen, Somerset. Soon after his birth the family moved to Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan, Wales. On 16 Nov 1911 he married Margaret Griffiths in Llwynpia, South Wales and in 1912 and 1913 they had two children, Aelwyn and Sadie. These children became juvenile stage performers and were known as the Magnet Twins from 1926 until 1929 (as far as I know). They then continued separate careers on the stage as Sadie Sylvester (or Sylvestre) and Irving Bellairs through the 1930s. I have found a lot of information in the newspaper archives on Findmypast and they travelled around the UK with various concert parties and performed in variety shows and pantomimes.
According to the 1911 census and his marriage certificate and the 1912 and 1913 birth certificates, Archie Mitchell was a haulier in a coal mine however by 1934 (when my Uncle Aelwyn married) he was a dance hall proprietor. I think the dance hall may have been in Tonypandy or Pontypridd but I have only anecdotal information from family members who have since passed away.
I would be grateful for any assistance in finding out where the dance hall was and any information about it. Did my grandfather own it or was he employed by someone? If he owned it, how had he managed to acquire the necessary funding from being a coal miner? Also I am wondering if my mother and uncle performed there in the 1920s and 1930s.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who may be able to shed some light on this for me.
Thank you, Cherryl
