The Jones family of Mill House, Meifod (1939)

[Vyrnwy]

My Mum was 9 at the time of the 1939 Register and living in Mill House, Meifod.  Her father's employment is listed as 'cowman' so presumably he worked on one of the larger nearby farms.  I've had no luck finding any further details - so any information would be very welcome.

[maddys52]

Hello Vyrnwy and welcome to RootsChat.

Are you after information about the place they were living, or the family itself? Assuming I have the correct family - William JONES (1903, cowman) and Wilys (not sure about her name maybe Dilys?) JONES (1905), the address on the 1939 register is "Pontscowryd Mill House". I'm assuming this is Pontysgawrhyd Mill, Meifod.

A couple of websites about the place:
https://welshmills.org/pontysgawrhyd-mill/
https://new.millsarchive.org/mills/index/?which=12433

A side by side map showing location
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=16.3&lat=52.73186&lon=-3.19415&layers=6&right=ESRIWorld

As you say, there are a number of farms in the area in 1939. This one is specifically a dairy farm - Edward Reynold DAVIES (1900) of Red House, Meifod.

[Vyrnwy]

Hi maddy.  Many thanks for the reply, the links and the warm welcome.

Mill House (as the friendly mill owner told me) is actually some distance from the mill, and on the other side of the river. However, it's the family that's of most interest to me. Yes, William and Dilys were the parents, the children were Eirwen, Rose, Ann - and my mother Elizabeth Enid.

I've been unable to find a maiden name for Dilys and unable to find a birth entry for my mother.  I should add that I'm still quite new to genealogical research. I've managed to trace my father's side back into the 18th century but am really struggling to make any progress on my mum's side.

That's a great idea to check nearby cattle farms.  They may have records of past employees and it's not inconceivable that someone still living may have memories of the family.

Thanks again for your generous response.
Best wishes for the new year.

[DCB]

I think the maiden name of Dilys may have been Watkins.

Elizabeth Enid Jones birth registered in Dolgelly Q3 1930, mother's maiden name Watkins
Rose E Jones in Dolgelly Q4 1932, mother's maiden name Watkins

I can't find a marriage to confirm it.

David

[hanes teulu]

Croeso cynnes iawn i Rootschat

Welsh Journals
https://journals.library.wales/view/1264487/1272050/92#?cv=92&m=39&h=pontysgawrhyd&xywh=40%2C300%2C3500%2C2246

Click on title (in blue) to view article.
https://journals.library.wales/search?query=pontysgawrhyd&range%5Bmin%5D=1735&range%5Bmax%5D=2007

[Vyrnwy]

@DCB
Many thanks indeed, David.

I had, actually, looked at that entry and dismissed it on the grounds that a farm labourer was unlikely to have upped sticks and moved his family from Merioneth to Montgomeryshire.  However, I didn't see that reference to Rose - which drastically increases the likelyhood that you are correct. 

Watkins/Dolgellau will now be the focus of further research.  I'll let you know what turns up.
Happy New Year,
Andrew.

[Vyrnwy]

@hanes teulu
Diolch yn fawr i chi.

Mae'r felin yn diddorol iawn a mae'r ardal yn hyfryd efo.  A dwi'n wedi darllen (yn Saesanag) AD Rees llyfr Life in a Welsh Countryside - y plwyf nesa.

Hwyl fawr a fflwyddyn newydd dda.

[Gadget]

Do allow for the possibility  that it might have been a second marriage and  so any of their children's birth records would record  Dilys's maiden surname but her marriage to William would have recorded her first marriage surname.

Also, one of my ancestors moved over the Berwyns from Bala to Llangynog and his sons later moved to to the Wrexham area. This was not unusual in farming/mining occupations.

Gadget

[hanes teulu]

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi 'fyd.

Pob lŵc