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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Anglesey => Topic started by: Owen ap Anglesey on Tuesday 15 March 11 09:51 GMT (UK)
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Have limited information from the Internet about a lifeboat tradgedy off Llanddwyn beach in December 1920. The Rhoscolyn lifeboat in an attempt to help the steamship"Timbo" sadly lost five crew members. Amongst the drowned men were distant members of my family.
I believe them to be decendants of my G.G.G.Grandfather Hugh Hughes (1789 - 1882) who lived at a house called Cymyran on the outskirts of Llanfihanghel yn Nhowyn.
Hugh and most male decendants of his family worked as Boatmen or Fishermen in the same community from 1841 to at least 1920.
I suspect that this family could have been associated with the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat for several generations, so my Question is - can anyone guide me to any literature on the history of this
Lifeboat Station
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Hi Eric,
Have you seen the anglesey-hidden gem.com web site?
Lifeboat was Ramon Cabrera and the pages show pictures of the graves.
The Anglesey Association established the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat in 1830 and the web site cemaes-bay.co.uk/mli/rhoscolyn_lifeboat.htm has a few more details and a picture of the boat.
Maybe a call to Holyhead RNLI may give more details on the stations history
Alan
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Eric,
Just found a book -
Anglesey Lifehouses and Lifeboats by Margaret Hughes - published in 2004
(On web site carreg-gwalch.com)
It includes 35 b&w photos.
Alan
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There is an extensive report in the "Times" concerning this tragedy.
Two of the men lost from the lifeboat were named as Evan Hughs and his brother Richard John Hughs. Their father Edward Hughs was also onboard but was saved.
As I understand it, Rhoscolyn lifeboat station was closed in 1929. The suggestion you contact the RNLI at Holyhead would seem the way to go.
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Eric,
There is also background information in the book Ships and Seamen of Anglesey by Aled Eames - There is a chapter there on "Anglesey Wrecks and Rescues", with various referenced material should you wish to pursue it in more depth.
The principally used lifeboat was designed by George Palmer.
Let me know by e-mail if you wish to consult this book
Alan
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Thank you both, clearly there are avenues to follow. Will certainly search out the books and newspaper reports mentioned, as well as contacting the RNLI at Holyhead.
Tall All and I are distant cousins who found each other via family tree searches - thanks for your pointers - hope to meet up soon
To Seaweed, thank you in particular for pointing out that Edward Hughes (father of the drowned brothers was also on board that day) - I was not aware of this, but helps to confirm my suspicion that the Hughes family from Cymyran were indeed quite heavily involved with Rhoscolyn Lifeboat.
Found a good photo of the Lifeboat crew on the Internet, including two with the Hughes surname, but since there is no date for the photo - unable to possibly put faces to names.
Am looking forward to learning more, thanks again
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I'm told the RNLI Heritage Trust may be of help.
RNLI Heritage Trust,
Royal National Lifeboat Institution,
West Quay Road,
Poole,
Dorset BH15 1HZ.
Telephone
08451 226999
heritage@rnli.org.uk
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Intend writing to the RNLI Heritage Trust this comming week end. Thanks for the address.
Have just read the book "Anglesey Lighthouses and Lifeboats". Although only a brief chapter on Rhoscolyn, it mentions two silver medals awarded to coxwain Hugh Hughes in the late 1800's. Have yet to prove that he is a family member - but fairly optimisic.
To anyone interested in my quest for more info. on the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat community I have to share a personal message, received this morning via Roots Chat. It directed me to a newspaper article written in Otago, New Zealand in April 1866 . The article explains in some detail the bravery of the Rhoscolyn community in the rescue of crew and cargoe of the ship Palinurus off Cymyran Bay. Yet again six local men were lost, amongst them 20 year old Thomas Hughes.
To read the story, use the Google search engine as follows,
Papers Past Otago Witness
Upon entering this web page enter Rhoscolyn into the search engine and should see "Wreck of a vessel and loss of six lives"
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Have just joined this forum today and seen your comments about the 'Cymyran' family.
The two brothers who drowned were Evan Hughes 32 years old and Richard John Hughes 17 years old. They were my Nain's brothers. My mother told the story many times how they came to tell her (Nain) of the tragedy. I grew up with the story of the tragedy when I visited Nain in the holidays. Yes, their Father, Edwards Hughes, was also on board the lifeboat, he sustained a broken leg and other injuries.
On 12 November 1922 a granite memorial to the five Lifeboat crewmen who drowned was uncovered by Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley in Rhosgolyn Churchyard. Hope this is of some help to you.
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Thankyou olddear and welcome to Roots Chat, your facts tie in with my family tree details.
Have unravelled quite a lot about the Hughes family from Cymyran and their association with the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat thanks to other Roots Chat members, the RNLI Archives department and a very helpful member of the nearby Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station.
Visited Anglesey twice this year, found the memorial at St Gwenfaen Church in Rhoscolyn, and on the second visit after several wrong turnings eventually arrived at the delightful Cymyran Bay. Although unable to find the old family home - refered to as Cymyran in the 1841 - 1891 census - there were some ruins next to a private house close to the beach - wonder if they were remains of the old cottages ?
My family tree shows that the two brothers lost during the tradgedy had three sisters - so presumably your Nain was one of them - would love to find more about her and her siblings if you have the knowledge. Will contact you through the private channel.
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The family home Cymyran is through the gate and quite a way down the path. Right on the waters edge. I think it is a holiday home now. Plas Cymyran is the big house. Nain's name was Ellen - there was also a Maggie and a Winnie and I am sure there was another sister. Can find out from a relative the name of the whole family is you are interested. Having been brought up with the full knowledge of the Hughes family - I have always been interested in the History of the Lifeboat. Cheers.
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Hi, Just joined chat today and noticed your post today about the Hughes Family which are my husband's decendants but I'm a bit puzzled !
My father in law William Titus Jones Hughes was Winnie's brother, there was also another brother called Evan Hughes who lived in Scilly Isles and a sister called Jane who married and moved to Gaerwen, Anglesey to live. What's puzzling me is the name Ellen and Maggie can you enlighten me as my F-in-L never mentioned them but he wasn't very forthcoming with information on the family.
If you need any more on the Hughes' from my husbands connection get back to me. :)
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There's a book called Holy Island Ynys Cybi by J C Davies and John Rowlands, page 38 & 39 is all about the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat disaster. There is a photo on page 39 showing the memorial in St Gwynfaen church as you look at the photo to the right of the memorial you can just see two young boys, these were Evan Hughes and William Titus Hughes the nephews of the two Hughes that lost their lives during the rescue.
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Hi Joolsgreen,
Thanks for mentioning the book - will seek it out.
Good to discover new members of the family, were William Titus Jones and Jane born after 1911 ?
My family tree for this section of the Hughes family from Cymyran as follows
Parents : Edward Hughes (1863 - 1930) and his wife Mary Owens (1861 - 1935 )
Children : Edward W. Hughes (1885 - ) Mary J. Hughes (1887 - ) Evan Hughes (1890 - 1920) Owen Hughes (1892 - ) Ellen Hughes (1894 - 1969) Winifred Hughes (1896 - ) Margaret Hughes (1897 - ) Hugh Thomas Hughes (1900 - ) Richard John Hughes (1904 - 1920 )
Would welcome any additional information on the family, especially any any connection with the lifeboat service.
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Hi
William Titus Jones Hughes (Titus) was born on the 24th July 1919 registered in the district of Holyhead Entry No 152 book 45. His sister Jane was the younster of the family. I'll need to speak to my S-in-L to get some dates for you and find out how they all fit in to the bigger picture.
I've tried to attached a picture of the gravestone of Evans and Richard which is in front of the memorial in St Gwyfan Church but I think it's too big, you might already have this?
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Did you know that Evan Hughes was awarded a silver medal:
The Nautical magazine: Volume 35 - Page 157
The silver medal of the institution and £2 were voted to Evan Hughes, and £10 to his boat's crew of five men, for putting off in Hughes's fishing boat, and saving at considerable risk of life the crew of the ship Palinurus, of Liverpool, which was wrecked off Cymyran, on the Anglesey coast, on the 4th of January.
1866 ?
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Hello Joolsgreen
Thanks for details on Titus and Jane. I was aware of Evan Evans's silver medal in 1866, but not through the Nautical magazine you mention - How do I access this publication?
Have visited the memorial at St Gwenfaen. Several generations of the family are buried here.
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Try this, cut and paste:
http://books.google.com/books?id=hYUEAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA157&dq=hughes+cymyran&hl=en&ei=-HMYToOlGZSDhQeL6YHNBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=hughes%20cymyran&f=false
if you have a problem get back to me
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Hi Joolsgreen,
Welcome to the site, I am very new to this myself but have found it very interesting.
Have been away and have only just seen your message regarding the Hughes' of Cymyran. I myself have no recollection of hearing about a Titus or a Jane - so its possible that your Father In Law was perhaps a cousin to my grandmother. If you would let me have his name perhaps I could then put some thought into what I remember.
Thanks
Olddear
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Hi,
In connection with my previous message I should have asked for your Father-in-Law's Father's name, as you had already supplied your F I L name. Sorry about that.
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Nothing to help with your search, but this is Plas Cymyran, taken last Saturday
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Learnt a great deal about the evolution of this house over the past 200 years. Wonderful photo - think that my G.G.G.Grandparents would be impressed. Thank you
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Hi Wilcoxon
Thank you very much for forwarding the beautiful photo of Cymyran Beach and Plas Cymyran. It really is a lovely setting and most appreciated.
Have spent many a day there in the past when my Mother was alive and go there on a regular basis to see where my ancestors dwelled. As Mam called it Nefoedd ar y Ddear (Heaven on Earth)
Thanks
Olddear
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hi Owen ap Anglesey. Have just read the various comments about the "Hughes" and their connection with Rhoscolyn Lifeboat. My 3xgt grandparents were also Hugh Hughes (1789-1882) and Margaret. I am descended through their son Evan (1813-1903) and his daughter Margaret (1854-1930) who married Owen Griffiths in 1870.
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hi March-hants. Thanks for responding . My G.G.Grandmother- Eleanor Hughes was a sister of the Evan Hughes (1813 - 1903) you mention. Was aware that Evan had a daughter Margaret born 1854, but not her marital status. Are you able to share information on the children of Margaret and Owen Griffiths ?
My interest is divided between expanding the family tree and finding more about the Hughes family involvement with the Lifeboat. Have had significant help on both counts - but finding it difficult to gather any information on the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat before the 1850's. I suspect that Hugh Hughes (1789 - 1882) was involved since all census records show him to be a Boarman living at Cymyran.
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I meant Boatman
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Hi, Just joined chat today and noticed your post today about the Hughes Family which are my husband's decendants but I'm a bit puzzled !
My father in law William Titus Jones Hughes was Winnie's brother, there was also another brother called Evan Hughes who lived in Scilly Isles and a sister called Jane who married and moved to Gaerwen, Anglesey to live. What's puzzling me is the name Ellen and Maggie can you enlighten me as my F-in-L never mentioned them but he wasn't very forthcoming with information on the family.
If you need any more on the Hughes' from my husbands connection get back to me. :)
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I have been reading the posts regarding the Rhoscolyn lifeboat, I hope this information might be of some interest. My mothers maiden name was Jane Eirwen Hughes , Her fathers name was Hugh Hughes , her mothers name Sarah Jane Hughes. My mother had three brothers and sisters ,Winnie , Efan and Titus my mother being the youngest. They lived as children in a house very close to the beach at Rhoscolyn ,my grandfather had something to do with the lifeboat.
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Hi Hardrock and welcome to Roots Chat. Since raising the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat as as subject have received considerable response, both about the Lifeboat station and about the Hughes family. This has allowed me to construct a fairly comprehensive family tree starting from Hugh Hughes (1798 - 1882) and his first wife Margaret Evans (1787 - ?)
The Hugh Hughes you mention seems to tie in with another Roots Chat member called joolsgreen.
For my benefit could you confirm that your grandfather Hugh Hughes was born around the year 1900 ? If so I can understand the connection and would welcome any additional family information. This can be done via the private messaging system if you prefer.
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Hi ,thank for the swift reply, I did realise that there was a possible mix up between the two family connections. I was in Rhoscolyn this morning at St Gwenfaens ,to get some information ,also to check on dates . My grandfather died in 1949 aged 67 ,this would make the date of his birth to be 1882 . My grandmother died in 1961 aged 79 ,that would have made her birthdate 1882 also. The house name where I seem to remember my mother mention is Glan Gors . I hope this information is of any use.
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Hei Owen ap Anglesey. I have a link to the RNLI Heritage site that shows a photograph of the Rhoscolyn lifeboat crew, giving names, but I have no idea when the photograph was taken. My interest is that my father, Michael Richards, (1898) is shown on the top row, third from the left and yes, there is a Hugh Hughes, middle row, second from the left. My father moved to Holyhead on his marriage in 1926 so we have a guessed time-frame of 1915 to 1925. There was another photograph at home when I was a child that showed the crew, splendidly posed in full oilskins, wearing cork life-preservers. The photo had been taken to commemorate medal awards to some of the crew. It was said, within the family, that the excitement of being a member of the lifeboat crew never left him... he went on to father 14 children!
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Hello Viking 666
Many thanks for the information, you must be very proud of your fathers story.
If your date for the photo is correct - the Hugh Hughes you point out could be on my family tree. This particular Hugh could be the grandson of my G.G.G.Grandfather Hugh Hughes of Cymyran.
Unable to guess the age of the Hugh Hughes you point out on the photo , but if he is in his late 60's this would tie in with the 1911 census showing my Hugh Hughes to be a 63 year old Diver living in the village of Rhoscolyn.
My real interest comes from the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat records which point out that Coxwain Hugh Hughes gained two silver medals from the RNLI, the first in the late 1800's for rescuing 8 crewmembers of the Norwegian Barque Heljmoss off Cymyran Bay and the second for rescuing 5 crewmembers of the Lancaster schooner J.W.Wearing in 1901. Wish I could be certain that the Hugh Hughes on the photo it is the same person !
Also (now getting greedy) wish you could find the Lifeboat crew photo you describe as a child
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The third on the left front row is Mr Thomas Glandon Rhoscolyn I use to be the postman and had many happy times talking to him during my delivery
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Hugh Hughes was coxswain of the Rhoscolyn lifeboat for many years, he was born in 1848 the son of Evan Hughes and Mary(WIlliams) and died 19th June 1914 aged 66yrs(see copy of will) he lived at Frondeg in the parish of Rhoscolyn. His brother Evan Hughes 1852-1925 was elected coxswain to follow him.
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Thank you for your comments on the photograph.
From what March-hants says, my father must have been 15 or 16 when the photo was taken. Was there an age limit for crew members, at either end of the age range?
Cae Howell, you are correct...the man is Bob Thomas with Moses Thomas on his right side. Moses was the father of the young lad that was lost during the "Timbo" rescue. You may have delivered the post to my father's place in Rhoscolyn...Bryn Bella. He had two brothers and a sister.
Owen ap Anglesey. Here's a tip for you. Never give old photo's or documents to the younger members of the family, without making copies. That old photo was lost many years ago when my eldest sister died. As for being proud of my father: he never once mentioned his service with the lifeboat...it only came to light after he died and one of my sisters saw a photo in the Maritime Museum at Holyhead. I could have done research at the RNLI centre at Poole ... I lived and worked just five minutes from it by boat for over 10 years. Ah well; lost photos, lost chances!
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Hello everyone, just joined RootsChat.
Have done quite a bit of research on the connection between the Hughes' of Cymyran and the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat.
New information I learnt from your messages was that Evan Hughes (b. 1814) had been awarded the RNLI silver medal for gallantry for his role in the rescue of the crew of the Palinrus on 3rd. January 1866. Thanks a lot for that.
According to newspaper reports of the time the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat had made three attempts to rescue the Palinurus' crew but had to abandon the attempts because of the severe weather. A meeting of Captain R. Jones (Lloyd's agent), Mr Rowe of the coastguard and Mr Cunah of the Customs decided to ask Evan Hughes, Cymyarn, a local fisherman, who had rescued many people from the sea around Cymyran Bay to attempt a rescue. Evan and two of his sons, probably Thomas b.1846) and Hugh (b.1848) and 4 members of the Rhoscolyn Lifeboat went out and eventually managed to rescue most of the crew - the remainder got ashore in the ship's boat.
Story does not end there. Two days later on Saturday 5 January while trying to salvage goods from the Palinurus when weather conditions were still poor a sudden squall capsized one of Evan Hughes' boats - six men were drowned including Evan's son Thomas (20 years old), his other son Hugh (b.1848) was rescued.
This Hugh Hughes (b. 1848) and another brother Evan (b 1853) went on to become coxswains of the Rhosoclyn Lifeboat for 25 and 12 years respectively.
One last piece of info - Evan Hughes Sr. (b. 1814) and his wife had another son b. 1868 who was named Thomas after his older brother who had drowned.
Hope this info helps.
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Hi Owen ap Anglesey,
My Grandfather Evan Richard Jones was named after Richard and Evan who lost their lives in the disaster, and I'm named after him! i.e. Richard Evan Roberts. My grandfather was the Son of Mary Jane Hughes - Evan and Richard's sister.. So I guess we are related!
Cheers, Rich.
PS. My family have two photographs of the original Richard and Evan - I'll look to scan in and post up here next time I get back home.
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Good to hear from you Rich
The reaction to my initial posting 15 months ago has been quite overwhelming. Several descendants of the Hughes family of Cymyran have contributed both openly on Rootschat and privately allowing me to construct a very comprehensive family tree.
The photos would be welcome. Aware that your G.Grandmother Mary Jane Hughes was married to a Thomas Jones. Do yo have any more details on him such as birth and death dates ?
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Hi,
Ta for the reply. I've been working on the family tree for a while now, so will try and dig out some data. I'm sure you'll have the info though as it sounds like you've been working hard on it! ;o)
I've attached a screenshot of the part of my family tree relating to this. I'm circled in blue at the bottom left.
Cheers, Rich.
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I'll ask back home about Thomas Griffiths Jones, but in the 1901 Census he was 15. i.e Birth Date of approx 1886.
See below...
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Also! ;o) I have photos of Thomas and Mary Jane Hughes - if you want I can send to an email address. Difficult to upload them to here..
Ta. Rich.
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Helo Richard Evan Roberts
It seems that we too are related - your great Nain, I take it, lived at Rhwngdaufynydd. She was my Nain's sister. My Nain was Ellem b. 1893 married to Owen Parry and they kept the Post Office at Tynlon, Bodwrog. She died in Llandudno Junction in 1969 at my parents' home.
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Have you seen http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/shipwrecks/timbo/timbo.htm ?
I think that this exchange has been facsinating. I remember Bob Thomas well, but I don't think I can claim a family connection, just a love of Rhoscolyn.
HTH,
Caspar
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I have just found a photo of Rhoscolyn at the turn of the century picturing where my great grandfather lived (Rhallt) and to the right of his house the lifeboat house. On the back of the photograph it mentions that my great grand father John Jones, was a member of the lifeboat crew. He died in 1929, which I think is the year the lifeboat house was closed.
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Would you care to share that photograph of Rhallt at www.rhoscolyn.com ? There are contact details there and different stories and histories each month that make fascinating reading.
Many thanks,
Caspar
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Hi everyone, and thanks (especially to Owen ap Anglesey for initiating the discussion) for posting all this information. I stumbled across it completely by accident, but have found it incredibly interesting because my family now owns the house at Rhoscolyn which (we understand) was built around 1870 by Hugh Hughes (1848-1914). Our deeds state he was Hugh Hughes, Diver, late of Cymyran in the Parish of Llanfairyneubwll.
We purchased the house over 40 years ago from the estate of Hugh Hughes' daugher-in-law (his son, Hugh Lloyd Hughes, died in 1965) and we have always been keen on collecting information about the house and the (Hughes) family who lived there for almost a century. One of our books, "Shipwrecks of North Wales" by Ivor Wynne Jones, mentions " … a private logbook kept by RNLI silver medallist Hugh Hughes gives details of 102 lives saved with the aid of his own fishing smack ..… in the years before he was appointed coxswain of the Rhoscolyn lifeboat."
This thread filled in quite a few gaps, so thanks again to all concerned.
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This subject continues to feed me with information- thanks to everyone. BERYLWYN has kindly forwarded her photo of Rhallt and the Lifeboat House to me on private e-mail and I will endeavour to download this on her behalf onto CasparV's Rhoscolyn website.
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I hope this thread is still active! It's been going a long time...
I'm a descendant of the Hughes family. My great-grandfather (I think) - my grandmother's father - was a Hughes who survived the Lifeboat tragedy and lived in Cymyran House. There are so many Hughs, Evans and Owens in the family that I can't figure out who was who!
Have you come across any Hughes' moving to Australia as I believe my gran was born in Perth, and certainly spent her childhood there.
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Hello Vila Tola and welcome to Rootschat
You will observe that several descendants of the Hughes family of Cymyran have responded to my initial posting, I'm sure that someone amongst us can help.
Do you have Christian names for your Grandmother and Great Grandfather and their approximate dates of birth ?
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Thank you - I'm still catching up! This is the first search I've done on this and I'm amazed by the results.
Names are going on an aunt's memory...
My great grandfather was Edward William Hughes (Ted) unsure of birth date, of Cymyran. He married Lucy Rose Evans, possibly Australian, and my grandmother is Olwen Mary Hughes (who became Olwen Watt).
I've found an ambiguous newspaper article from Western Australia, 1921, that says he was part of the lifeboat crew in that era but not specifically during the Rhoscolyn event. This was reported as at the time Ted was Second mate of the Federal Lighthouse Service S.S. Governor Musgrave, stationed at Perth (and reportedly performed some amazing acts during the war... but that's another quite amazing story).
The history of my great grandmother's family is well remembered by my family for various reasons but I'm very interested in the Welsh connection.
I've visited Rhoscolyn bay, actually on a whim while visiting Rhosneigr for other reasons. I saw the name on the map and it was familiar. It wasn't until after I'd walked around the bay, puzzled at why I was intrigued by it and left the area that I received an email from my mother, Myfanwy, explaining the family connection. I must have heard the name while my gran was still alive and filed it away somewhere!
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Edward William Hughes (1885 - 1956) was born Llanrhyddlad and married a Lucy Rose Evans (1882 - 1946). I have no information on their children
Edward William Hughes was the son of Edward Hughes (1863 - 1930) and Mary Williams (1861 - 1935). Edward William Hughes's Great Grandfather Hugh Hughes moved to Cymyran about 1810.
Able to share this Hughes family tree with you via the P.M. system if you wish
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Hello everyone
Owen Ap Anglesey I have been reading all of your research with regards to Hugh Hughes and Hughie Lloyd Hughes family.
It sounds like we have both been researching the same family.
I hope this thread is still active as I would really like to chat to you
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Hi Titch1 and welcome to Rootschat
The response to my original posting about the Hughes family of Cymyran has been overwhelming and helped me construct a comprehensive family tree on the Ancestry website. Would like to share this with you. Without repeating all the information on here- the correct process would be for us to communicate via the "Private Messaging" process offered by Rootschat. But for that to happen you need to have at least three postings.
Not sure how to proceed unless you complete another two postings or have access to the Ancestry website ? Unless someone else can suggest an alternative.
Owen ap Anglesey
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Thank you so much for the welcome Owen Ap Anglesey.
I came across this discussion completely be accident. I couldn't believe my luck after all these years. To be able to be in contact with yourself is very exciting.
To be able to combine our knowledge will be brilliant and potentially add another branch to our family tree.
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Hello Titch1
Is this the correct thread you were talking to me about?
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Hi I have been reading this thread and am wondering if anyone can tell me abouts the hughes family lived please?
It is mentioned that they live at Cymryan, llanfihangel until nhowyn.
Would this happen to be a house on what is now a street named trem cymryan? The reason for my question is that I have recently moved into a house on trem cymryan, it is clearly older than the rest of the houses on that street and am also a crew member with the RNLI.
Thanks in advance