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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Cardiganshire => Topic started by: ajonesva on Sunday 09 February 14 00:28 GMT (UK)
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Just a beginner, I am in the US, trying to piece together the details of family members in Wales. I've found some information online and from other family members to help me build my tree. But I still have holes. I should note that I tried searching these forums before posting these questions. I hope that someone can help! Or at least help me understand the best way to find this information from the US.
Thomas A. Jones, b.1756 d.1819 (not sure if dates are correct); lived at Maes-y-Felin in parish of Bettws Bledrws, Lampeter, Cardiganshire. I think he stayed in Wales. Married to Elizabeth (dont know her maiden name) b.1969, d,1848 (not sure if these are correct).
His son, Thomas T. Jones, b.1804, d. 1887, He married Mary Edwards (from LLanddewi-Brefi, daughter of Thomas and Anne Edwards, Tanlan) on 17 Oct 1826 at the LLanddewi-Brefi Church. May have lived at Llwen Bobi, the game warden's house before leaving Wales. They immigrated to the US in 1838 and settled in Jackson Ohio.
My requests for help!:
1. I want to learn who the elder Thomas is....
2. When was he really born? Where? When did he die?
3. When was his wife, Elizabeth born? Where? When did she die?
4. What did he/they do at Maes-y-Felin Fach? What were his and her occupations?
5. Did they have more children other than Thomas T.? And, who were they?
6. Finally, who were their parents? (Thomas A., Elizabeth, Thomas Edwards and his wife Anne)
Many thanks! :)
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Hi ......
It's your lucky day... I rarely look at Rootschat, but did today.
A couple of years ago I researched this family quite thoroughly. Haven't got time today to look at my records, will later in the week. BUT from memory I do know a) that the house Elizabeth Jones lived in is a couple of houses/cottages away from me and b) Her son Thomas Jones, known in Ohio as Thomas T Jones, emigrated to Ohio. (?Oak Hill) and was well known there (as Thomas T Jones, Agent). Elizabeth herself and her husband Thomas are buried in Betws Bledrws. The name of the house in those days was Glanbrechan. These days it has another name. Elizabeth was a prime mover in the foundation of the local Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (these days called Presbyterian) Capel Maesyffynnon.
Another relative visited a couple of years ago.
I am attaching a photo of Glanbrechan in 1948 (the children are myself and my brother) - and have you read "Calvinists Incorporated - Welsh Immigrants on Ohio's Industrial Frontier" by Anne Kelly Knowles - which has information on the Jones family.
Mary Edwards was from Betws Leucu village (comes under Llanddewi Brefi).. I have an outline of the family tree at the time of their residence in Betws Bledrws and several photos etc, census returns, and general information... I also have a Powerpoint presentation on the subject of Elizabeth Jones... and she is referred to in a leaflet on the history of the chapel I mentioned.
Best wishes,
Jen
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Dear Jen,
You absolutely MADE my day. :) What an adorable photo. This is the same family! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I am so thankful that you checked the site and provided as much as you did. I actually had just about given up.
Yes, my uncle Brooks was in Wales in the last 10 yrs or so and was probably asking anyone he could find about our family. He is not shy. However, he is retired now, and whatever he did gather on his trip is limited..
If you do find time later this week or in the near future to connect again with me, I would greatly appreciate it. Heck, I will wait months if I have to knowing you may be able to enlighten me. Are you related to Elizabeth Edwards?
Yes! I just ordered the book a month ago and extracted as much info as I could from it about Thomas but plan to read in full when I have time. I also have been in touch with the Director at the Lillian Jones Museum in Jackson, OH where my fathers family lived. Lillian would have been a cousin of my grandfather (I think). The museum has been so helpful in supporting me in my search.
Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you!
Aly (Jones) Warner
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Dear Aly,
Attached is a photo of the site where Llwyn Bobi used to be. When I wanted to take a photo the farmer assured me that there was no sign of anything there at all - however, when she whisked me up there on the back of her mini tractor there it was.
Where did you get the info that this used to be occupied by a gamekeeper?
If you look on a modern map, find a farm called CWM and it is nearby.
It wasn't Brook who had been in touch, it was someone who now lives in New Zealand. Also I am absolutely NOT related to the Jones family, just live in the neighbourhood.
You wrote:-
1. I want to learn who the elder Thomas is....
2. When was he really born? Where? When did he die?
No idea where he was born, Thomas Jones is quite a common name.
Thomas Jones Born 1756 Died 1819 [age 63] TWO gravestones - an earlier one which was too small to hold the family names after he had gone. Found by accident in a farm yard the other side of Lampeter, by a farmer who could not find Glanbrechan, until I gave a talk on the subject... much to his delight.
3. When was his wife, Elizabeth born? Where? When did she die?
Elizabeth Jones Born ?1769 (no idea where) Died 1848 [79] in Glanbrechan, buried with her husband in Betws Bledrws churchyard with gravestone
I can't trace place or date of marriage either. Presumably (as Thomas Junior appears to have been born 1803) a year or so before this date.
4. What did he/they do at Maes-y-Felin Fach? What were his and her occupations?
Farmer
5. Did they have more children other than Thomas T.? And, who were they?
Yes, I think so. Thomas (who went to Ohio), Margaret, who married a Lloyd, and another son - Ebenezer
Thomas Jones Born 1803-87
Margaret Jones / Margaret Lloyd Born c. 1806 Died 1835 aged 29 had a son - John Lloyd Born 1835 - no idea what happened to him.
Ebenezer Jones Born 1816 Died 1870 - don't know where.
6. Finally, who were their parents? (Thomas A., Elizabeth, Thomas Edwards and his wife Anne)
Elizabeth and Thomas (where did you get the "A" from??)
Thomas Edwards, and Anne
Mary Edwards, wife of Thomas T Jones
Mary came from Betws Leucu, and her old home still survives. Her brother also emigrated to Ohio, and may have lived in Gelli Hir in the same parish. Marriage in Llanddewi Brefi (Betws Leucu was then a chapel of ease and for some reason (probably in bad condition) was not in use at this time. Therefore the marriage took place in Llanddewi Brefi) and is recorded in the Bishop’s Transcripts. (I checked it).
Elizabeth Jones's will is ONLINE in the National Library, and you can buy a copy.
Thomas Jones junior (Llwyn Bobi) apparently bred cobbs, but I have only verbal communication for this. However, I have also seen a copy of the old church parish register for this period and Thomas Jones was also a church warden, and his name is mentioned at meetings.
cheers,
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Thank you for this additional information. It is very helpful. My uncle Brooks mentioned something about the gamewarden but I've no way to confirm that. You seem to know so much more so if it doesn't ring a bell then he likely misspoke.
I have more questions for you, if you don't mind taking a look at them. Hope I am not bothering you too much with this. It seems easy enough to find information on my family once they settled in the US but tracing things back to Wales has its challenges.
Questions:
1. What can you tell me about Glenbrechan? It is still standing? I'm intrigued to learn you gave a talk on it.
2. What kind of farmers were they? Crops? Livestock? Just curious....
3. How can I find more information about Mary who lived/grew up at Betws Leucu? Is someone living in her home?
4. Did Mary Edwards' father marry her and Thomas Jones at Llandewi Brefi? I think I may have seen that but am not entirely sure.
5. If I wanted to find Elizabeth Jones' will online, how could I find it? I only ask because her name also seems like it would have been quite common.
6. What is your sense of the genealogical resources that are available in Wales? I would really like to make plans to visit when my son (now 2yrs) is older so I can travel to the villages and communities that my family came from. While there, I know it may be easier to do any genealogical searching.
I am such an amature but am determined to put these pieces together for my son and hopefully generations to come.
If you happen to come across your power point or your family tree you mentioned, I would be very interested in reviewing it.
Many thanks and Regards,
Aly :D
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Tripped across your post on Thos. T Jones. He is my g-g-g-grand father and I live 2 hours from where he settled in Jackson Co, OH. Would love to discuss on phone.
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Tripped across your post on Thos. T Jones. He is my g-g-g-grand father and I have visited where he settled in Jackson Co, OH.
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Hi - I have a LOT of info on Thomas T and lots of photos. Glanbrechan, where Elizabeth and her husband (parents of Thomas T) is about 50 yards away from where I live. The house is not called Glanbrechan these days. Apart from Aly who started this current thread I was approached, several years ago now, by a Jones now living in NZ. Apparently the National Library couldn't help him in identifying either Maesyfelin Fach, or Glanbrechan, so he struck lucky! Elizabeth Jones, incidentally, was a prime mover in setting up a Methodist chapel in Llangybi - which is still there.
Note to ALY - I don't think I replied to your last message, but had health probs... mostly cataract, but now sorted, touch wood. Let me know if you want replies to all your questions.
Best wishes all,
Jen
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This is absolutely unbelievable!! I am headed to a Gymanfa in Venedocia, Ohio (a well known Welsh community in NW Ohio) the first weekend in September where I will meet up with a number of cousins who will be absolutely thrilled to learn of this break-through of 2 more generations. If it is not too much trouble, I'd love whatever pix you can send. Please do not go to too much trouble!
Thank you so much!!!
Denny Brown, USA
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to Aly, and Denny - and everyone else
Photos and info on Glanbrechan and Thomas Jones - sorry to have vanished so suddenly. I have been ill, however now recovering, once I have got through the heap of research I am behind with - and weather is less ghastly (0.5 cm snow which is more than I can bear !) I will post up any photos I have. Do send me details of what would be useful if you are still searching.
Re unknown parents of Thomas Jones and/or Elizabeth his wife. The NZ relative thought that Thomas was an illegitimate son of the Jones of Derry Ormond (in Betws Bleddrws, nearby) - however as the house Glanbrechan belonged then to the Powell family of Nanteos and part of that estate perhaps either Thomas or Elizabeth were the offspring of one of the Powells. On occasion over the years I search for some sort of break-through, but no luck so far.
Jen
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Great to hear from you and Happy New Year! Sorry to that you have not been feeling well! I wanted to get this message out as I am going to be out of town. I did get some additional information just after we parted company in December. I'll be back in a few days. Weather has been nice for Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Ally, if you are copied in on this message, I am very sure we are related and would like to talk to you. Are you somewhere on the east coast of the U.S.?
Best Regards to all!
Denny Brown
Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Hi Jen & Denny
I'm back. Life is a little busy but back on track to continue my research.
Denny, I live on the east coast. Chances are many of the Jones from Chas. David Jones' son, David Lloyd Jones (my grandfather) will be visiting Jackson OH in the spring/summer of 2018. My aunt, Penelope passed away this past Oct. and we all will gather to bury her remains at Fairmont Cemetery.
Thank you for reaching out. Jen, I hope your health is better and that you are doing well. Happy new year!
Also, I didn't see the photos that Jen sent. Jen, if you see this, can you please send those to me too? I will add them to my family tree on ancestry.com.
Aly
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Happy New Year Aly and Denny
Hope all is well with you. The photos I sent are on Page 1 of this correspondence. I will try and look up more, but not at the moment as I am just preparing a talk on a local subject here, and I don't want to lose my concentration at the moment. I will try dig out more. Glanbrechan, now known as Maesyfelin House, or Ty Maesyfelin is still doing well. I do have photo of Elizabeth Jones's gravestone which I will send in a couple of days.
Cheers,
Jen
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Happy New Year to both of you. I hope this reply goes to both Jen and Aly. You ladies must be psychic as I was recently thinking about both you and the conversation we started several years ago. I, too have had some family matters and physical issues to deal with, but I getting back in the groove.
Aly - I live 2 hours due west of Jackson between Dayton and Cincinnati and would be thrilled to meet you virtually ANYTIME when you come to Ohio. I would love to talk to you offline, but I'm sure this forum allows such a thing.
Jen - If you have any more pix, I would love to see them. Further, my wife and I may be visiting Wales in mid-August of this year as a part UK-Ireland tour. If the trip plays out as I hope, I would love to meet you IN WALES!!! Ladies, let's please keep in touch. And, if there is a way to talk offline, via phone or email, let me know!!
Dennis Morgan Brown A.K.A."Denny"
Monroe, Ohio, USA
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I think Thomas jones Llwynbobi is not part of the glanbrechan family. He is originally from nantcwnlle and ends up in trefynor in Gartheli with his wife Jane and daughter Jane but is buried in Betws bledrws. His son is john jones of cilgwyn-Isaf who does have a child who goes to America according to a newspaper article.
Ian
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Hi Ian,
interesting, the Thomas Jones you mention, what date (year would be great) did he die... there are about 8 Thomas Jones's buried in Betws B church yard with a stone marker, so probably more without a gravestone. Let me know and I will check my old info for you.
Jen
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Hi Jen, thanks for looking! This Thomas Jones dies Jun 1846, I can find his burial in the register June 29 1846. Took a while to unpick the relationships! His son John Jones dies 1867 and his children Thomas 1879, Daniel 1869, John 1900, William 1906. All buried Betws Bledrws.
Thanks again.
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Dear Ian, what dates did your Thomas Jones, who died 1846, live in Llwyn Bobi. And where was he living when he died. I suspect that he may have moved into LB after Thomas T Jones had left for America. ALSO I had forgotten that Llwyn Bobi was, at that time, on land either owned by Elizabeth Jones of Glanbrechan; or both owned by the Powells of Nanteos. Your TJ may well have lived there, but I suspect it was after Thomas T Jones who went to Ohio lived there or possibly before. Where was your TJ living in 1841... and what date do your records show he moved in there, and how old was he when he died.
Excuse the questions... but Thomas Jones was (and probably still is) a very popular name round here, all my ancestors are called David Evans! Also the idea that Thomas T Jones, Agent lived there came with his descendant from Ohio, so there must be references somewhere over there. I suspect they both lived there, but at different times. cheers, J
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Hi Jen,
Thanks for the response :)
Thomas was living there in 1786 as he is there for the birth of his son John and is still there around 1800 from the birth of his daughter Jane. He then moves with his wife to his daughter who resides in Trefynor in Gartheli and they die there. I dont know what happens between 1800 and 1841 as there is no information as yet. Thomas comes from Nantcwnlle but I dont find a marriage record for him and his wife Jane. Trying to see if the connection to Betws Bledrws is simply a farm being available or if there is a family connection for example to Glanbrechan.
Thanks again
Ian
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Following. My great great grandfather was a cooper in betws bledrws around the time you are checking. He lived on the derry ormond estate sp
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Yasmina4,
Good to see your entry in RootsChat.com. My cousin Aly and I are researching our great-great-great grandfather, Thomas T Jones born 1804, 1805 and emigrated to the United States with his family in the mid-1830s. They settled in Jackson County, Ohio which is in SE Ohio. What is your name of interest in central Wales.? I can’t pronounce the actual Welsh name BETWS BLEDRWS. Sorry! By knowing your names, perhaps we can figure out where you fit in, if at all. I also found a document referring to Derry Ormand Estate that is connected to our Jones Family but will have to dig it up later as I am heading out of town for a few days. Allie and I are in the United States. I look forward to hearing from you. Dennis Morgan"Denny" Brown.
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Are people still researching Thomas Jones, Bettws or Betws Bledrws, Maes-y-Felin or Maesyfelin… (I live in Maesyfelin, a tiny collection of cottages and a few years ago now did quite a bit of research on Thomas T Jones... his house is still there, and a few hundred yards away from me... )
Jen
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Good to hear from you and hope you are feeling better! YES, we are still interested in everything related to Thomas T. Jones. In fact, 40 or so descendants gathered back in late June 2018 for a memorial service for a Jones cousin. This occurred in Jackson County, Ohio where Thomas and Mary (Edwards) settled after they immigrated to the U.S. I had never met ANY of these third, fourth or fifth cousins until this gathering except through emails. What a pleasure to meet all of them!!
I have lost track of what you have recorded on Thomas T. Can you please refresh my feeble memory? Also, would it be possible to get a few pictures of the old homestead "that still stands"? Is this in Cardigan or Carmarthen?
You once supplied these email addresses to me. Are they still valid as I would like to send you a few pictures from the memorial:
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My email is (*) if you wish to send whatever docs you may have on Thomas T! I look forward to hearing from you.
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Good to hear from you... both of those email addresses are in use (Mathias was my maiden name, and is Welsh (Pembrokeshire)… I prefer the jennifercairnsATyahoo.com.. Would love to see the reunion photos. A Thomas T Jones descendant came and stayed twice, many years ago... he had contacted me via a webpage I ran then, and he got in touch with the webmaster, i.e. me... and asked if I had heard of Glanbrechan, and if I knew anyone interested in local history ! Glanbrechan is the house where the Jones family lived, now just called Maesyfelin House. In the language of heaven, i.e. Welsh !, the prefix Glan means on the banks of a stream, and Brechan is the name of the stream ! It runs down into the Teifi/Teify which then goes on into Carmarthenshire. I also have various interesting photos, which I will look for over the weekend, haven't read over them for ages... ! I may become mysteriously silent, but as it is Easter a lot is going on.... but will try not to be too long getting back to you. best wishes... Jen