Roberts family of Caerhun

[JDB307]

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help me with the following, please.

John Roberts born 1879 is listed in the 1911 Census for Caerhun. His address is Pistyll Du Roewen Talycefn Rso, Caerhun. I am completely baffled by this and would appreciate any help that's offered.

On the same census his place of birth is given as Llansant. I cannot find any reference to that and wonder if it should be Llanrwst.

He has two sons, Caradog b.1910 and male b.1911 not Christened.

Also staying with him is his mother Jane born 1938 in Cerrigydrudion, Denbighshire.

Naturally, if anyone knows this family I'd love to be in touch.

Kind regards,
Jack

[hanes teulu]

Have you found the house on Streetview? The name is still there.

[hanes teulu]

Side by side maps
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=16&lat=53.22943&lon=-3.86495&layers=6&right=BingHyb

Click on link. Remove "Side-by-side Help" screen (click on x top right corner)
You should see "Roe Wen". Just below the "n" in Roewen is a junction. Ty Pistyll is the second building below the "n" going south.
Position the cursor on this building to see the location on the modern map to the right.
How are you with Streetview?

good luck

[hanes teulu]

The 1911 Census records 3 children born, 1 died.

Spotted this poem/tribute in a Welsh language newspaper. I've tended to translate it literally rather than try to make it poetic.

The Welsh Coast Pioneer & Review for North Cambria, 21 Sep 1906

TO HEAVEN AT TWO MONTHS OLD
(Dedicated to John and Jane Roberts, Pistyll Du, Roewen)

Oh! so sudden he fell asleep/passed away,
Pretty the home/hearth - "Pistyll Du",
Two months the length of his course,
Dark is the way of our Lord
When you thought
There to be improvement in the little one
Bold Death is watching
With his sword at the door.

But if short was the length of his course
You were honoured despite this.
You had under your care here
One who is today an angel pure
So a lesson is his departing
Yes - try to be pure
So you will have a meeting
With the "little one" in a world unsurpassed

Roewen      IOAN AP IOAN



 

[JDB307]

Thank you so very much for all this. It is really helpful and explains a lot. I'll get a screen shot of the house and show it to Caradog's daughter-in-law who lives just 10 miles from me here in Lincolnshire. We'll see if it stirs any memories.

With regard to the poem, could I beg another favour, please? Would you be able to post the poem in its original Welsh? There is a lady in the village here who speaks Welsh and I will ask her to record it so that it can be played to Caradog's daughter-in-law.

One other thing if I may; Pistyll Du is the house, Roewen is the village and I presume Caerhun is the parish but what is 'Talycefn Rso' ?

Thanks again and kind regards,
Jack

[hanes teulu]

Welshnewspapers online  http://newspapers.library.wales

Click on link, put "pistyll du" (include the "   " as part of search key) in search box and hit Search. Should return 14 hits.

Click on the first item "I'R NEF YN DDEUFIS OED" - it should automatically take you to the page/column. If only the page is delivered it's in column 5.
Of the 14 hits some relate to "your" Pistyll Du, and of those a couple are in Welsh. Do you want to leave it to your friend in the village to translate?

"RSo"
http://rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=779482.msg633449#msg6334449
I recall dealing with a similar query many years ago.

pob lwc/good luck

[hanes teulu]

Did you find the 1911 Census on Ancestry or FindMyPast?

If FindMyPast, at the bottom right hand corner of the Census image on screen you should see "Related Images". Clicking on that will deliver "Enumerator's summary book images". Click on "List". Top of page 3 shows 3 households under "Pistyll Du".

If Ancestry, I cannot advise on how to navigate to this screen.

pob lwc

[JDB307]

I use Findmypast and I've had a look at the numerator's list. Must have been crowded in Pistyll Du with 10 people in the building.

I've just been round to the Welsh lady's house but she is away for a while and is unlikely to be back until the lock down is finished. I'll stick with your translation.

Thanks again,
Jack

[hanes teulu]

Is this John Roberts' mother + siblings in 1901 (no sign of John)

1901 Census (ref. RG13  5287  39  9)
Address Pistyll Du, No 3
Jane Roberts, Head, Widow, 61, born Cerrig y Drudion
James Roberts, Son, Single, 25, Agricultural labourer, born Caerhun
Jane Roberts, Dau, Single, 25, Dressmaker, born Caerhun

Chasing surname Roberts in N. Wales is a daunting task - especially when John appears to have married a Roberts!