Elizabeth Jennet Thomas c1881 or 1871

[Mabel Bagshawe]

The site is https://newspapers.library.wales/home - Welsh Newspapers Online. The two articles in question are in Welsh, hence my not including links as I wasn't sure that would be of much use

[Jeffrey]

Thank you Mabel. You are right - I am unable to read Welsh. But thank you for interpreting them for me. If you come across any more then I would be grateful for them.

Judy

[Jeffrey]

Just received her birth Certificate.
Born 9th Dec 1877 at Kelsey (or Helsey) Llanfihangel, Abergwessin
Father John Thomas and mother Ann Thomas formerly Williams. Fathers occupation Farmer.  Registered by him 8th Jan 1879.

I presume the Kelsey or Helsey was maybe a farm. Does anyone know where on the map that is located?

Judy

[Mabel Bagshawe]

I suspect it may be Celsau

I looked up their 1881 location Penybont in the parish of Llanfihangel Abergwesin on the Historic Placenames of Wales site, and on the map, about one field to the north of the red place marker, you can see that name attached to what may be a  farm

https://historicplacenames.rcahmw.gov.uk/placenames/recordedname/b56a6a13-34a4-494a-863d-a70bb215b3df

It still exists

[Jeffrey]

Have looked and think you are right there as spellings were not standardised in those days and people spelt a word as it sounded often. I am finding the Welsh names of villages difficult.

Is that anywhere near to where his father came from Hirwaun?

Thank you again for your help.

Judy

[Mabel Bagshawe]

No. Hirwaun is near Aberdare, and not that far (next valley over) from Merthyr and Dowlais, at the north end of the industrial south wales valleys.

Abergwesyn was then, and still is, a very rural area. It's about 50 miles north.

Although Isaac Thomas was living in Hirwaun when his son died, censuses indicate he was born in Llangammarch. IN 1881 he was a farmer of 136 acres at a farm called Ffosyrhyddod, between Abergwesin and LLangammarch

Some information I've come across suggests John's sister and her husband farmed near Hirwaun. Isaac may well have moved to be near her. The youngest son Isaac Morgan Thomas took on the farm

[Jeffrey]

Hi Mabel,
Apologies for late reply - I have been away.

But thank you again for the information. All the bits about the family puts some 'meat on the bones' and makes them more personal.

Judy