Trinidad Colorado

[ag10]

My grandfather William Griffiths b. 1878 came to the USA in 1913 (and returned to Wales about 1914).
On the ship's manifest he gives his relation as Brother D T Griffiths (his father was D T Griffiths and there were no relatives in the USA as far as we know - perhaps he gave that info to ease access to the USA?) and the address as 925 Spruce (??) Trinidad, Col.
He was a coal miner and I believe there were coalfields there.
Whilst in the USA he fathered a son, believed to be Idwal (mother's name unknown) later probably living in Pennsylvania.

Three questions please:

Is there any way to check whether or not he came to Colorado? He arrived in NY on 26 Jan 1913.

Is there any way to check when he returned to Wales (believed to be late 1914)?

Is there any way to find any info on the elusive Idwal?

Any help, tips or suggestions will be very gratefully received!!

Many thanks,
Alan

[jorose]

I think it says "yes" (or ditto from the yes above) on the line that asks if he has a ticket to his final destination. However it's possible that he stopped somewhere before reaching Colorado; there was also plenty of work for coal miners in Pennsylvania. If he returned to Wales there might be something on the incoming passenger lists about his last residence, I think.

http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#
I could find that in 1910 in Trinidad there was a Sarah Griffiths, b. Iowa, with four children (eldest, David, b. Canada, the others b. Montana), the children give their father's birthplace in Wales.

In 1900 they are in Butte City (Montana) as "Griffis", unfortunately Sarah is already widowed so no sign of the father; there is another "Griffis" family from Wales next to them, though, Thomas b. 1848, Catherine b. 1848, daughter (widowed?) Lizzie, b. 1871.

[ag10]

Thanks Jorose,

He may well have gone somewhere else - it was a bad time in 1913 / 14 in the Colorado coalfields I believe - strikes and even a 'massacre'.

(The Griffiths you mention are interesting but a bit early - although it's just possible that Thomas Griffis might be a relation).

Is the address he gave (925 etc) real I wonder??

Thanks again for your reply,
Alan

[shellyesq]

mapquest.com shows that there's still a Spruce Street in Trinidad. 

[ag10]

Thanks shellyesq

I didn't think to look on an online map site 

S Spruce St on Google maps has pics too.

I don't suppose there's any way to find who was there in 1913/14?

Alan

[Lisa in California]

Alan, I don't think this has been mentioned (or if it helps):
1920 Trinidad, Las Animas County, Colorado
D J Griffith, age 50, Wales (parents also born Wales).  Immigrated 1893?, Mine Inspector, Coal Mine
Gwenu?, Wife, age 43, born Iowa (parents born Wales)
Bladwen, Daughter, age 20, born Colorado, Teacher?, Coal Camp
John H?, Son, age 24, born Colorado, Mining Engineer, Coal Mine
David, Son, age 16, born Colorado, no occupation
Address: 812 Colorado Avenue.  D J owned the house, "Free" (not morgaged).

[Lisa in California]

D J is David J.  According to the 1910 Denver Ward 10, Denver County, Colorado census:
David J's family members were Owen (could be Gwen), John, Blodwen and David.

David and Gwen had been married 15 years.  Gwen was the mother of 4 children, 3 still living.  David was an inspector, coal mines.  He immigrated in 1893 or 1892.

[Lisa in California]

1900 David J Griffith was living in Rockvale, Fremont County, Colorado.  He was born in November 1869.  Family members were Gwen (born April 1877), John (born Aug 1895), Mary G (born May 1897) and Blodwen, born Oct 1899.  David J was a Coal Miner.  He immigrated in 1892.

If you are interested in this family, there is additional information about them.

[coombs]

Hi

Where is Wales did he live before and after his trip to America?

Ben