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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Glamorganshire Lookup Requests => Glamorganshire => Wales => Glamorganshire Completed Lookups => Topic started by: Flouncylicious on Friday 13 August 10 11:26 BST (UK)
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I'm hoping that someone can help me in one of two ways with some newspaper articles I am trying to find.
I am primarily looking for an obituary for James Hurman, born 1842 in Appledore, Devon, but who lived from a very young age in Cardiff until his death. He was a railway and dock superintendent in Cardiff. I have found masses of articles regarding him using the 19th Century British Library Newspaper archive through my university, but even though they say the database goes up to 1913, all mention of James stops at 1900, but he did not die until 1908 and I know that he did many things after that from other sources, but the circumstances around his death are eluding me ???
So I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if they know of another online archive for newspapers of that area, or if anybody actually in that part of Wales goes to somewhere that holds newpapers like the Western Mail for that time who would not mind trying to find some articles for me, such as an obituary or reports into his death/testatory situation. I am sure there must be something as he was from what I can see a very important man who was involved in many business concerns (including a brewery and the Grand Pier at Weston Supermare), was chairman or on the committee of many clubs, First Master Freemason, is listed as gentry in Slaters' Directory and even met Edward vii !!.
According to the only newspaper report I have found on his death, which is a short notice from his solicitors to creditors (and doesn't really tell me anything) he died August 1908. GRO index backs that up as he is listed JAS quarter.
Any help with this would be much appreciated as I live a long way from Cardiff, so it would be impossible for me to look for hardcopies myself.
Many thanks in advance :)
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Hi
Have you sent for his death certificate?
What is your relation to him?
cheers cardiff ???
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Hi Cardiff, thanks for the reply :)
James Hurman is my best friend's grt x2 grandfather.
I have not ordered his death certificate as I was more looking for information on his social standing, which is why I was interested in his obituary. He was a very rich and successful man, respected by many people from what I can see, but towards the end of his life he was involved in many disputes with workers on the railway and docks, so I just wanted to know how things stood when he died and this is why I thought his obituary or newspaper articles into his death might be forthcoming, but have no luck as yet, so was looking for ideas/assistance.
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Hi
I see, I maybe going into Cardiff Library within the next week I could look for you. Unless anyone else can help you.
I know the western mail can be seen in Cardiff Library. You could e-mail them they may help you, as you have his death and info on him. Its worth a try.
Let me know how you get on. Library info will be on Cardiff council web site.
cheers cardiff ;)
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Google the Cambrian Index. It includes the Western Mail.
Note - it's an Index, you have to visit the appropriate archive to view the article.
regards
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Cardiff, thank you so much for your help ;D, I'll put together an email this evening and keep you posted on my progress, just in case I don't get any joy.
Thanks everyone for your help.
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Flouncylicious,
Apologies - just twigged. The Index includes the Western Mail, but only articles that relate to events in the West Wales area. Hadn't quite appreciated this.
I'm in the Archives tomorrow to check the W/Mail on behalf of a fellow Roots. chat member on the other side of the world. Can include a check for James Hurman.
regards
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I'm sorry Hanes, I've only just seen your post. In the meantime I had already emailed Cardiff Library as suggested by Cardiff (no reply as yet). Hopefully they will be willing to help considering the distance between me and Wales.
Will keep you posted on my progress :)
Thanks again
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Flouncylicious,
Have been in the Archives today and found your James' obituary in the Western Mail.
He died on Saturday 8th August 1908 and his obituary + photo appeared on Monday 10th August.
Will send PM why unable to provide image of the article itself ie. complete lack of PC skills!!.
regards
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Hanes, thank you so much :) I have sent you a PM
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Flouncylicious.
I also have also found the same info as Hanes Teulu which was taken from the Western Mail on August 10 1908, giving biographical details of James Hurman who was quite influential in the early days of Cardiff docks and railways. Like Hanes I to am lacking PC skills. If Hanes does not complete I will attempt.
Regards.
West
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Thank you for your kind offer West, the generosity of the people using this forum never ceases to amaze me, you are all so helpful and giving of your time. I'll keep you posted :)
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Flouncylicious,
Have James Hurman's Western Mail obituary ready to send.
If you send me PM with e.mail address will forward.
regards
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Have just PM'd you Hanes, thank you so much for your invaluable assistance ;D ;D
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Hi
let us know if the info was good and gave you an insite into this person life?
Well done Hanes ;)
cheers cardiff :)
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Cardiff the info was absolutely excellent ;D I'm sitting here grinning from ear to ear ;D
This one article has categorically verified just about everything I have researched about this man and his family, and also gave me more information on his children and how he climbed the ranks from railway clerk to one of the most important men in Cardiff. An amazing insight into this man's life. There is so much information I've gone giddy!! ;D ;D
A piece that really made me smile was the references made to his upbringing in Appledore Devon. It says that he was educated by his father, a schoolteacher and that the whole family had moved to Cardiff in 1850. What is not written and I'm sure was not known at the time by the people around him was that the reason his family had moved to Cardiff was that his father the schoolteacher had stolen money from at least two institutions he was overseer for (monetary equivalent today at least 50k!!). This meant the his father ended up in Devon County Goal and the family fled to Cardiff!! You can imagine the scandal and the shame made their position in Appledore untenable.
Once again thank you to everyone who has helped me in this quest, especially Hanes who I cannot thank enough.
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New to list - great discovery. I'm trying to trace the first world war career of my grandfather John Anthony (Jack) Saunders. He was apparently one of the first to enlist in Cardiff and there was an article about him in the Echo. The article would have appeared on Aug 4, 5th or 6th, 1914 as he was at the enlistment office on the first morning. Is there a way to check the Echo for the article?
While on parade for training, I think Aldershot, he was made a Corporal on the Field by Lord Kitchener. Is there any way I could get any info about this?
I'm from Cardiff, but now live in Canada, so accessing info is difficult!
Thank you
Wendy
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Hi Wendy
Welcome to Rootschat! :)
We can leave your post here in case locals can help but I would also suggest that you post the latter part of your question (Lord Kitchener bit) on the Armed Forces board of Rootschat, where the experts live!
Don't forget to update this thread if they find some answers as this will prevent duplication of effort. Thanks.
Kind regards, Arranroots ;)
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Thanks, Arranroots, that was quick!
I'm a neophyte...how do I find the Armed Forces part of RootsChat? I'm still working my way through the logistics of this list!
Wendy
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Hi Wendy
Go to the main board and scan down to Special Interest - then Armed Forces is the first of these boards.
Alternatively - click here: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,300.0.html
:D
Good luck!