Somerford Keynes to Swansea

[pupetaxe]

My Gr. Grandparents, Matthew and Jane Arnold left the village of Somerford Keynes with their family around mid 1870s.  I visited the village a couple of weeks ago (April 2012).  I surmised that the reason for leaving (apart from wanting a new start), was economic: agricultural area to industrial area.
I wondered why Swansea?  They passed Bristol (docks, industry), Newport, and Cardiff (same), to settle in Swansea.
Also I wondered how they would have traveled in that time (Somerford Keynes to Swansea), and how long would it have taken?
Does anyone have any ideas or leads for me?
Thanks
Phil

[gene-genie]

Hi,

From the 18th century Swansea was world center of copper production, so much so it became known as 'Copperopolis'.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/articles/swansea-copperopolis

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/copperopolis-to-rise-again-2318208.html

If your family did not work directly in the industry, with an ever expanding population, many service industries were required, so your family may have decided to move there.

As for travel, they could have gone by mail coach which would have taken several days (it's about 130 miles via Gloucester), more likely would be the steamers and/or cargo ships that traveled between Bristol and Wales in the late 19thC.

[pupetaxe]

Thanks for your insight.
It's a shame I will never know more of their journey.

[youngtug]

The may have gone by rail