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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Cardiganshire => Topic started by: trellisick on Tuesday 24 January 06 22:58 GMT (UK)
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(http://) hi rootschatters,
capt. thomas williams is a relation of my wife. the williams and evans family were involved with the lifeboat from day one right up to present times i have info on the familys from other family members but have been unable to get the address that they lived in aberystwyth, i would appreciate any info that you could possibly give on these familys, i have been told that there is a photo of capt. williams hanging in the library at aberystwyth. his children were, david williams, thomas williams ann williams, ann married thomas evans thier children, harry, thomas, catherine, and rossina, rossina married henry charles hill my wifes grandfather, 23-7-1899 at st lukes wearside durham, any info on these familys would be gratefully recieved.
kali.
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Hi Kali
What year is this picture taken, and did you say one of these men is your family member.?
Were any of your williams's from Llanbadarn fawr?
Kerry
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hello kerry,
the photo was taken between the years 1876-1891 these are the years that 'captain thomas williams' was coxswain of the lifeboat, david thomas's son was coxswain from 1876-1891, a record 42 and a bit years, also another son thomas williams jnr. was a member of her crew, he also a daughter ANN, ann married a thomas evans whose children were:- harry, thomas, catherine and rossina, rossina married my wife's grandfather charles hill on 23-7-1899 at st lukes wearside durham, i would like to know the addresses in aberystwyth of both the williams and evans families if it is at all possible, captain thomas was known locally as captain 'ruby' thomas, theysay his boat was 'the ruby'
thanks for your reply, kali.
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Hi Kali
I don't know any of the crew in the picture but it looks as if the photograph was taken in Queen's Road just outside the lifeboat shed.
Queen's Road is behind the promenade and to launch the large lifeboats they had to be dragged from Queen's Road, right turn along Bath Street (or Portland Street), right turn into Terrace Road, onto the Prom and launched from the beach!
This process continued, I believe, well into the sixties until the large lifeboat was replaced by a Zodiac which is now launched from the harbour.
Thought you might like to know
Cheers Dave
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sorry for the delay in replying but just got back from yorkskire,
so thanks for your reply dave, it all helps fit the pieces together, cheers kali.
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Sorry for my delay. If you want any more little snippets let me know - I grew up in Aberystwyth and my wife to be lived just by the lifeboat house.
Cheers Dave
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Did you know about the important dates in the lifeboats history.
1843 The first lifeboat was looked after by the Harbour Master and housed in a boathouse near the harbour.
1861 A lifeboat station was established by the RNLI.
1866 A Silver Medal was awarded to Watkin Lewis for saving seven people during two rescues.
1875 A new boathouse was built; this was used until 1964.
1877 Crew Member John James died from exhaustion after a long service to a schooner.
1898 A new slipway was built.
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thanks for that, bilge, i do have a book on the lifeboat which contains that info but thank you for posting it, kali.
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Hi Kali,
I am trying to trace my grandfathers family and was always told as a child that our family had a lot to do with the lifeboats in Aberystwyth. My grandfather was George Williams, he had brothers Thomas, Harry and David, (Thomas & Harry lived I think on Marine Terrace, I think Harry's wife was Jane)and a sister Annie May who lived in Castle Cottage. I know they owned a boat/ship building yard I think run by their father also David. We used to go on holiday every year to Aber but stopped after Annie May died which I think was back in the 70's. I think George did the accounts for the lifeboat and some research I have done does suggest he was the secretary, I know he named his house after the lifeboat Aguila Wren. I am wondering if I have any connection to the Williams family who operated the life boats?
I would really appreciate any help.
Gnasher3
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hi, gnasher,
i am struggling with this family myself im afraid so do not have much to offer.
at the moment i am not at home but will go through my records when i can and let you have the little information that i have, nice to hear from you, have a nice christmas, and success in your research in the new year. kali.
by the way, welcome to rootschat, there are a good bunch here who are always willing to help.
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Hi Kali,
Thanks for your reply. I can only get as far as my grandfathers parents were called David and Annie Williams (nee Roberts) Their son David was in the Merchant Navy and was captain/Master of a couple of boats during the war his details are on the war memorial in Aber I have quite a lot of info on him. I don't get chance to get on line that often so if I don't get back to you for a few days please forgive me :) Any help at all would be great.
Gnasher3
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hi gnasher, just found a book i have of the lifeboat history, in the section hon secretaries we have
1861 to 1895 the rev. j williams
1943 to 1957 george williams esq.
also on the commitee for 1961 is an a williams esq.
coxwains of the lifeboat 1876 to 1891 was thomas williams
1891 to 1933 was david williams the son of thomas above
1933 to 1942 was thomas william lewis another member of the family but i do not know the relationship.
the aguila wren was commisioned in 1951
the book is called the story of the aberystwyth life-boat 1861-1961 it may be possible to get a copy i dont know but it has some good pics of crew members and boats, when i get more info will let you know, ken.
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Hi Kali,
The Lewis connection makes sense as I was sent a letter from a chap who had served with my great uncle David (David was known as Jack to the family) in WW11. It was from a lady Mrs L Lewis referring to Jack as her cousin. I will try to track down the address which is very unclear. I will try to get hold of the book and perhaps start looking at the Lewis connection and see if I can get anywhere that way. If I can just get the more recent connection I think the rest may just fall into place :)
Cheers Gnasher3
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Hi Kali,
I have been doing a bit more research and everything I have found points to Thomas Williams being my Great, Great grandfather. If you don't have the addresses yet Thomas lived at Queens Road, Aberystwyth in the1881 census and at St Johns Buildings, Aberystwyth in the 1891 census and by 1901 his son David was living there with his nephew Thomas William Lewis.
Just to note my husband has Lovell's in his family tree from Bristol.
If you do find out anything else please let me know.
Cheers Gnasher
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Hi! I have recently stumbled upon this super link. It has a comprehensive history of the lifeboats, building and people that operated out of Aberystwyth. There are many photographs shown I am sure that some will be of your ancestors.
http://users.aber.ac.uk/spm3ce/index.htm
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If my memory serves me well, I believe the Williams family boatyard was in the harbour (surprise surprise) on the Trefechan side close to the old lime kiln. I remember the wooden slipway to the harbour. Incidently the harbour was only useable at high tide, and a limited time either side. Seems like a good reason for the lifeboat to be launched off the beach and therefore available 24/7.
I also remember the Aguila Wren named in memory of wrens who died aboard the SS Aguila in wwII. Google aguila wren for more info and lifeboat pictures.
Dave
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Hi Kali,
If you do happen to see this I have found a definate link to your wifes family. Ann Willams is the sister of my great grandfather David Williams. I have the connection from the 1911 census where Thomas William Lewis is still living with David Williams at 2 Crynfryn Row, Aberystwyth. I have a lot of details of Davids . Ann had sisters Margaret bn 1849 and Elizabeth bn 1858 I think she is the mother of Thomas William Lewis. Ann had brothers William 1852, Thomas 1860, John 1864 and David 1865/7.
Hope this helps your research. Gnasher
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Kali/Dave/Gnasher3
Stumbled on to your post after watching some of the Jubilee coverage last week and going through some old photos of my Dad, Tom Williams. I am youngest daughter Linda, and met you (Gnasher3) when you were an infant in Castle Cottage. Would love to connect with you as we are related...your Grandpa George and my Dad Tom were brothers. You can email me at (*) or add me via facebook under the name Linda Votteri.
Very excited to see your post and to see all the other other replies!!!
Thanks Kali and Dave!
Look forward to connecting with you!
Linda
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