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Post by jeffincanada on Apr 26, 2021 15:08:41 GMT
My name is Jeff Chipps and I’m retired with my family in Canada. My wife & I are originally from Swansea. We emigrated to Canada with our three children in 1980. Our famiiy has grown quite a bit, and now our kids & grandkids are nagging us to document our family history.
During our search a particular farm in Llangeinor turned up. According to the Wales Census records it was called "Pantyrhychan Farm" in Llangeinor. It was 48 acres and was owned or run by my great grandfather David Williams. He, his wife Maria, their seven children, and three farm workers are shown there in the 1871 & 1881 Wales Census.
I've tried, but I can’t any more online records of Pantyrhychan Farm or of David’s & Maria’s family before of after those records. Possibly the spelling of Pantyrhychan might be wrong also. I'm really hoping someone might be able to tell us where the farm was situated, as we would love to be able to look at it online and picture our ancestors there.
Out of interest, and it might help, but on the 1871 Wales Census record the "Pontycymer Arms" is the next entry. The spelling might be wrong as the handwriting on the record is hard to make out.
I know it’s a long shot, but any information about the farm, or about “farmer” David & his family would be great, and very much appreciated by all of us.
Thanks.
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Post by ctdavies on May 19, 2021 22:44:30 GMT
Hello, I have just made a reply but doesn’t seem to have been accepted. The farm was Nantyruchain and was at the southern end of Pontycymmer. Only the name Nantyruchain Terrace gives a hint at the location. I have a large family history in the general area going back to at least 1756. I will try and find something for you but until the covid crisis is over and I can get to the library I am restricted to using my iPhone. Regards Colin
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Post by ctdavies on May 20, 2021 8:19:23 GMT
Hello again. David and Maria were at Nantyruchain farm in the 1871 and 1881 census. However it appears that Maria died in the Newcastle Emlyn District during the March Quarter of 1882. Please be aware that deaths have to be registered in same district as the event took place irrespective of the subjects normal abode. So Maria may have been on a visit. I cannot guarantee this Maria is the same as the wife of David. In The December Quarter of 1887 David married a widow with children Margaret Thomas whose deceased husband Thomas Thomas was the first cousin of my maternal great grandfather Jenkin Thomas 1837-1904. David and Margaret lived in Oxford Street, Pontycymmer and back to the farm again. There is a documented link in that David’s son David J appears in the census aged 1, 11, and 21 with both Maria and Margaret as David’s wife. I will leave things at that for the present. Is there anyway of contacting you direct? I can authorise the Garw Valley Heritage Society to give you my email address and then perhaps we can exchange snail mail details for me to send hard copies. I am only related the the family of Thomas and Margaret Thomas and not known to link with David and Maria’s children. Let me know how you progress as the 1861 census is not helpful. Regards Colin
and at the farm in 1901.
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Post by ctdavies on May 20, 2021 16:53:08 GMT
Hello, I have given the Garw Valley Heritage Society in the person of Mrs Jean Fowlds to pass on my email address to you. Also if you access their Gallery you may find photos in the Pontycymmer Collection of the Farm. St Theodore Church was built almost of the front door of the farm house so if you can’t find the farm the church will give a clue. I have recently rejoined Ancestry and find members researching the same family as you. I wouldn’t steal their efforts so await to hear what you would like me to help with. Or leave you to enjoy it for yourself. Colin
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Post by ctdavies on May 21, 2021 10:59:25 GMT
Hello, sorry but please disregard anything about Maria that I have suggested. David did remarry to Margaret but others family trees have more accurate details about Maria. The family in 1891 were living in Oxford Street Pontycymmer, and in 1901 back at the farm. I will look again in 1911 to see who was surviving. Regards Colin
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Post by jeffincanada on Jun 18, 2021 18:18:47 GMT
Hi Colin. Thank you so much for all the great information you've given me. Knowing the farm's name and it's location is almost like being there. Apparently it was fairly large (the figure I have is 48 acres) so I'm assuming from the town's maps that the farm extended towards the countryside as opposed to the valley centre. All the details no matter how small paint a much clearer picture for us. I've visited different sites (Google Maps, Google Images etc) using the information you passed on and was able to imagine what life must have been like in the valley back in the day. I'd like very much to be able to trade emails with you but using the forum I'm not quite sure how. If it'll help you I'd agree to the Administrator giving you my email address, as you are much more familiar with the system than I am. Thank you once again. All the best. Jeff
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Post by ctdavies on Jun 22, 2021 2:53:59 GMT
Thanks, I have recently been in contact with a lady via Ancestry tracing the same family as you from Nantyruchain. If you select the Menu in the Garw Valley Heritage Society (Documenting our Past) website, then select Contact Us you can ask for my email address my having already given authority to do so. Perhaps the lady would care to contact you direct, please let me know and I will ask. Regards only too pleased to help.
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