After doing more reasearch, here's what I know about the Rhydderch family:
In 1841, the Thomas Rhydderch family is in the census as "Rudderch." They're living at the Victoria Iron works south of Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire County. They had lived in Ebbw Vale at least since my ancestor, Elizabeth Jane Rhydderch, was born there in 1836.
In 1851, the Thomas Rhydderch family is in the census as "Ryddch." They're living in the village of Govilon near Blaenavon, Monmouthshire County.
In 1861 I have not found them anywhere yet. But if the family had already moved to the vicinity of St Woollos on the edge of Newport (see below) by 1861, some of those census records were lost.
In 1871, the Thomas Rhydderch family is in the census as "Rhydorch." Thomas Rhydderch, then age 61, is listed with his children, Thomas age 20, and Jane age 27, and they are living in the village of St. Woollos, Monmouthshire County. I have not been able to find Jane after that, but I believe Thomas Junior shows up on the 1880 census in Colombus, Ohio, USA, using the name "Thomas Roderick." No other Thomas Rhydderch\Roderick, born in 1851, shows up in Wales or the USA so I expect it's him.
I found a death notice for 1872 for Thomas Rhydderch of Glamorgan County which is probably my ancestor. I have also found a death notice for 1854 for Thomas' wife, Mary Rhydderch. She died fairly early since she's not found with Thomas on the 1871 census. Though the census-takers somehow misspelled the family's name every year, the death notices had the names spelled correctly.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Searching for the Rhydderch Family
Last night I finally found the Rhydderch family in the 1851 Wales census. For some unknown reason, the Rhydderchs listed their name as "Rudderch" in 1841, then switched to "Ryddch" in 1851. I was surfing the internet last night when I stumbled on someone in Australia searching for a sister of my great great grandmother Elizabeth Rhydderch. Thanks to that cyber conversation on Rootschat.com, I found the family's weird spelling and filled in one more missing piece to my genealogical puzzle. Never give up. They're all out there somewhere!
The surname Rhydderch in the Welsh context is not a very common surname. It can be found spelt as Rhytherch, Rutherch, Rudderch, Rodrick, Rhoderick, abbreviated to Ruddz, and, as you've seen above, Ryddch. Most Welsh Rhydderchs seem to have their roots in the south and west Wales areas. Most seem to be from a small area of Carmarthenshire and West Glamorganshire. Though there are Rhydderchs to be found in other counties such as Cardiganshire, Pembrokeshire, Breconshire and Monmouthshire, by and large the first two counties seem to have provided the World with most of the Rhydderchs of Welsh origin.
If you happen to be a Rhydderch (with its many spelling variations) and would like to read about an ongoing genetic study being done on the family, try accessing the link below for some very interesting reading:
http://members.aol.com/Roderickdna/Roderick/RoderickDna.htm
The surname Rhydderch in the Welsh context is not a very common surname. It can be found spelt as Rhytherch, Rutherch, Rudderch, Rodrick, Rhoderick, abbreviated to Ruddz, and, as you've seen above, Ryddch. Most Welsh Rhydderchs seem to have their roots in the south and west Wales areas. Most seem to be from a small area of Carmarthenshire and West Glamorganshire. Though there are Rhydderchs to be found in other counties such as Cardiganshire, Pembrokeshire, Breconshire and Monmouthshire, by and large the first two counties seem to have provided the World with most of the Rhydderchs of Welsh origin.
If you happen to be a Rhydderch (with its many spelling variations) and would like to read about an ongoing genetic study being done on the family, try accessing the link below for some very interesting reading:
http://members.aol.com/Roderickdna/Roderick/RoderickDna.htm
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Davis family in 1841
The Davis family lived in Blaenavon in 1841. Blaenavon is a village in the parish of Llanover, upper division of the hundred of Abergavenny, county of Monmouth; four miles from Brynmawr, six from Pontypool, and a like distance from Abergavenny. The male members of the Davis clan were iron workers and there were very extensive iron works there.
Interestingly, my future great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Rhydderch, lived just 5 miles up the road in Govilon and shows up on the 1851 Wales census there. By 1851, the Davis family had moved a few miles away to Trevethin near Pontypool. But, I wonder, did the two children possibly attend the same school for a short time? Were they perhaps childhood sweathearts who found their way back to each other nearly two decades later? Something to ponder, especially since if they hadn't met, I might not be here!!!
Interestingly, my future great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Rhydderch, lived just 5 miles up the road in Govilon and shows up on the 1851 Wales census there. By 1851, the Davis family had moved a few miles away to Trevethin near Pontypool. But, I wonder, did the two children possibly attend the same school for a short time? Were they perhaps childhood sweathearts who found their way back to each other nearly two decades later? Something to ponder, especially since if they hadn't met, I might not be here!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
12 Weeks to go before retirement
This past weekend I passed the 12-week mark. When I first started this blog I had six months to go before retirement. The purpose was to put down my thoughts as I planned a trip to the land of my ancestors. The airline reservations are set (for what that's worth in this day of mergers), the B&Bs are set, the rental car is set, the world phone is purchased, the various passes are purchased, and work on my genealogy is coming along nicely. I want to travel to all the places in Scotland, Wales, and England where my father's ancestors lived and worked. The Davis family, Welshmen all, made their living as iron workers in the mid nineteenth century before they immigrated to America. Other members of the family, the Browns of Scotland, were also iron workers in Wales. At the same time, the Burton family made their living as farmers just down the road from Stonehenge. So, I have plenty of territory to visit. We plan to start in Edinburgh, and motor through Wales, southern England, and return to Scotland along the east coast of England. But for now, the countdown continues.
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Brown family name in Scotland
Brown is the second most common name in Scotland and is also found frequently in England and the USA as well as other parts of the world. It might be thought that a name such as this, which was spread so widely, would not have a specifically Scottish pedigree. But the Broun family (spelt thus) has a crest recognised by the Lord Lyon King at Arms and is included in the list of clans and families maintained by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. They also have a recognised tartan.
The French "Le Brun" appeared early in England (around 970) but did not arise in Scotland until the 12th century. Walterus Brown was involved with the church in Glasgow in 1116 and Richard de Broun and others with the same surname signed the Ragman Roll in 1296 when all the nobles and landowners were forced to swear allegiance to King Edward I of England.
A long line of Browns, which can be traced for 850 years, is the Brouns of Colstoun in East Lothian. The first of the line may have been Sir David le Brun who gave the land and witnessed the charter founding the Abbey of Holyroodhouse in 1128. These Brouns claimed that they were originally descended from the royal house of France - their arms bore the three gold lilies of France. The Broun arms registered with the Lord Lyon has a lion rampant holding a French "fleur de lis".
The Brown clan motto is "Floreat majestas" which means "Let majesty flourish".
The French "Le Brun" appeared early in England (around 970) but did not arise in Scotland until the 12th century. Walterus Brown was involved with the church in Glasgow in 1116 and Richard de Broun and others with the same surname signed the Ragman Roll in 1296 when all the nobles and landowners were forced to swear allegiance to King Edward I of England.
A long line of Browns, which can be traced for 850 years, is the Brouns of Colstoun in East Lothian. The first of the line may have been Sir David le Brun who gave the land and witnessed the charter founding the Abbey of Holyroodhouse in 1128. These Brouns claimed that they were originally descended from the royal house of France - their arms bore the three gold lilies of France. The Broun arms registered with the Lord Lyon has a lion rampant holding a French "fleur de lis".
The Brown clan motto is "Floreat majestas" which means "Let majesty flourish".
Census inconsistencies explained
Often I'm puzzled over obvious inconsistencies in the census materials as I search for ancestors in England and Wales. Recently, I found the following on a Canadian genealogical site:
How old? The Age recorded on the census: The general rule in the 1841 census was to round down the age of adults to the nearest 5 years. This general rule was not always followed. Some ages were rounded down to the nearest 10 years, while others were recorded exactly. On the other hand, some people simply did not know their exact age. When the age of consent was 21, it was not unusual to find people lying about their age in order to rent accommodations, get married or similar adult privileges. At the same time, the age of a child may be falsified if that child was a worker and did not want to loose their job. For these reasons, the age recorded for an individual should always be treated with some caution.
Ah, now I see!!!
How old? The Age recorded on the census: The general rule in the 1841 census was to round down the age of adults to the nearest 5 years. This general rule was not always followed. Some ages were rounded down to the nearest 10 years, while others were recorded exactly. On the other hand, some people simply did not know their exact age. When the age of consent was 21, it was not unusual to find people lying about their age in order to rent accommodations, get married or similar adult privileges. At the same time, the age of a child may be falsified if that child was a worker and did not want to loose their job. For these reasons, the age recorded for an individual should always be treated with some caution.
Ah, now I see!!!
Great Great Great Grandfather, Thomas Owens
Great Great Great Grandfather, Thomas Owens worked in the Welsh iron industry and lists his job in 1841 as, "Baller." Here's the description for that job:
Baller ; iron industry worker
"When the metal begins to melt it is the business of the puddler to watch it from time to time until it is ready for what is technically called BALLING, i.e. dividing the metals into separate balls or quantities or puddle-rolls; which having been done, are handed over to the shingler, who has the direction of a large and heavy hammer worked by steam or water power, and the rough hot metal is, by repeated blows brought to a more compact form for the rolling mill."
From the Employment Commission reports 1842
Baller ; iron industry worker
"When the metal begins to melt it is the business of the puddler to watch it from time to time until it is ready for what is technically called BALLING, i.e. dividing the metals into separate balls or quantities or puddle-rolls; which having been done, are handed over to the shingler, who has the direction of a large and heavy hammer worked by steam or water power, and the rough hot metal is, by repeated blows brought to a more compact form for the rolling mill."
From the Employment Commission reports 1842
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Great Grandmother, Isabella Brown
My grandfather, Thomas Davis' mother was named Isabella Brown. She and her parents were born in southeastern Wales. Here's a bit of information on the origins of the name, Isabella:
Gender: Feminine
Language: Spanish, French, and English
Etymology:
Isabel is the Spanish/Latin form of Elizabeth, the English form of the Hebrew name, Elisheva, or Elisheba. Originally it meant "My God is Bountiful," "God of Plenty," "Consecrated to God," "Oath of God," "God is Satisfaction," or "God is Perfection."
History:
Isabel, the Spanish form of Elizabeth first developed in Provençe. It spread out from Spain to France, and then to England during the Middle Ages. The two names were considered interchangeable until the 16th century. Isabel had long been a popular name. It was a royal name since 1308 when King Edward II married Isabella de France (although she arranged for his murder). Two other queens (wives to King John, and King Richard II) as well as numerous princesses also bore the name Isabel. It was highly popular in the 13th and 14th centuries in both England and Scotland. Isabella, the Latinate form, caught on in the 18th century. The French form Isabelle (and its diminutive Belle) spread to England in the 19th century.
Isabella Brown, I imagine, was named after her paternal grandmother, Isabella, who was born in Scotland in 1792. The odd thing is, Isobel is the usual Scottish spelling of the name. Since the younger Isabella was born in Wales in 1865 and not in Scotland, it seems the family must have decided to use the then popular latinate form of the name.
Gender: Feminine
Language: Spanish, French, and English
Etymology:
Isabel is the Spanish/Latin form of Elizabeth, the English form of the Hebrew name, Elisheva, or Elisheba. Originally it meant "My God is Bountiful," "God of Plenty," "Consecrated to God," "Oath of God," "God is Satisfaction," or "God is Perfection."
History:
Isabel, the Spanish form of Elizabeth first developed in Provençe. It spread out from Spain to France, and then to England during the Middle Ages. The two names were considered interchangeable until the 16th century. Isabel had long been a popular name. It was a royal name since 1308 when King Edward II married Isabella de France (although she arranged for his murder). Two other queens (wives to King John, and King Richard II) as well as numerous princesses also bore the name Isabel. It was highly popular in the 13th and 14th centuries in both England and Scotland. Isabella, the Latinate form, caught on in the 18th century. The French form Isabelle (and its diminutive Belle) spread to England in the 19th century.
Isabella Brown, I imagine, was named after her paternal grandmother, Isabella, who was born in Scotland in 1792. The odd thing is, Isobel is the usual Scottish spelling of the name. Since the younger Isabella was born in Wales in 1865 and not in Scotland, it seems the family must have decided to use the then popular latinate form of the name.
Celts descended from Spanish Fishermen study finds
A team from Oxford University has discovered that the Celts, Britain's indigenous people, are descended from a tribe of Iberian fishermen who crossed the Bay of Biscay 6,000 years ago. DNA analysis reveals they have an almost identical genetic "fingerprint" to the inhabitants of coastal regions of Spain, whose own ancestors migrated north between 4,000 and 5,000BC.
The discovery, by Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, will herald a change in scientific understanding of British-ness. People of Celtic ancestry were thought to have descended from tribes of central Europe. Professor Sykes, who is soon to publish the first DNA map of the British Isles, said: "About 6,000 years ago Iberians developed ocean-going boats that enabled them to push up the Channel. Before they arrived, there were some human inhabitants of Britain but only a few thousand in number. These people were later subsumed into a larger Celtic tribe... The majority of people in the British Isles are actually descended from the Spanish."
Professor Sykes spent five years taking DNA samples from 10,000 volunteers in Britain and Ireland, in an effort to produce a map of our genetic roots. Research on their "Y" chromosome, which subjects inherit from their fathers, revealed that all but a tiny percentage of the volunteers were originally descended from one of six clans who arrived in the UK in several waves of immigration prior to the Norman conquest. The most common genetic fingerprint belongs to the Celtic clan, which Professor Sykes has called "Oisin". After that, the next most widespread originally belonged to tribes of Danish and Norse Vikings. Small numbers of today's Britons are also descended from north African, Middle Eastern and Roman clans.
These DNA "fingerprints" have enabled Professor Sykes to create the first genetic maps of the British Isles, which are analysed in Blood of the Isles, a book published this week. The maps show that Celts are most dominant in areas of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. But, contrary to popular myth, the Celtic clan is also strongly represented elsewhere in the British Isles.
"Although Celtic countries have previously thought of themselves as being genetically different from the English, this is emphatically not the case," Professor Sykes said. "This is significant, because the idea of a separate Celtic race is deeply ingrained in our political structure, and has historically been very divisive. Culturally, the view of a separate race holds water. But from a genetic point of view, Britain is emphatically not a divided nation."
Origins of Britons:
Oisin
Descended from Iberian fishermen who migrated to Britain between 4,000 and 5,000BC and now considered the UK's indigenous inhabitants.
Wodan
Second most common clan arrived from Denmark during Viking invasions in the 9th century.
Sigurd
Descended from Viking invaders who settled in the British Isles from AD 793. One of the most common clans in the Shetland Isles, and areas of north and west Scotland.
Eshu
The wave of Oisin immigration was joined by the Eshu clan, which has roots in Africa. Eshu descendants are primarily found in coastal areas.
Re
A second wave of arrivals which came from the Middle East. The Re were farmers who spread westwards across Europe.
Roman
Although the Romans ruled from AD 43 until 410, they left a tiny genetic footprint. For the first 200 years occupying forces were forbidden from marrying locally
This article is interesting because when I participated in the National Geographic genome project and had them analyze my DNA, they told me that my ancestors did, in fact, originate in SPAIN. No wonder Spanish architecture is my favorite!!!
The discovery, by Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, will herald a change in scientific understanding of British-ness. People of Celtic ancestry were thought to have descended from tribes of central Europe. Professor Sykes, who is soon to publish the first DNA map of the British Isles, said: "About 6,000 years ago Iberians developed ocean-going boats that enabled them to push up the Channel. Before they arrived, there were some human inhabitants of Britain but only a few thousand in number. These people were later subsumed into a larger Celtic tribe... The majority of people in the British Isles are actually descended from the Spanish."
Professor Sykes spent five years taking DNA samples from 10,000 volunteers in Britain and Ireland, in an effort to produce a map of our genetic roots. Research on their "Y" chromosome, which subjects inherit from their fathers, revealed that all but a tiny percentage of the volunteers were originally descended from one of six clans who arrived in the UK in several waves of immigration prior to the Norman conquest. The most common genetic fingerprint belongs to the Celtic clan, which Professor Sykes has called "Oisin". After that, the next most widespread originally belonged to tribes of Danish and Norse Vikings. Small numbers of today's Britons are also descended from north African, Middle Eastern and Roman clans.
These DNA "fingerprints" have enabled Professor Sykes to create the first genetic maps of the British Isles, which are analysed in Blood of the Isles, a book published this week. The maps show that Celts are most dominant in areas of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. But, contrary to popular myth, the Celtic clan is also strongly represented elsewhere in the British Isles.
"Although Celtic countries have previously thought of themselves as being genetically different from the English, this is emphatically not the case," Professor Sykes said. "This is significant, because the idea of a separate Celtic race is deeply ingrained in our political structure, and has historically been very divisive. Culturally, the view of a separate race holds water. But from a genetic point of view, Britain is emphatically not a divided nation."
Origins of Britons:
Oisin
Descended from Iberian fishermen who migrated to Britain between 4,000 and 5,000BC and now considered the UK's indigenous inhabitants.
Wodan
Second most common clan arrived from Denmark during Viking invasions in the 9th century.
Sigurd
Descended from Viking invaders who settled in the British Isles from AD 793. One of the most common clans in the Shetland Isles, and areas of north and west Scotland.
Eshu
The wave of Oisin immigration was joined by the Eshu clan, which has roots in Africa. Eshu descendants are primarily found in coastal areas.
Re
A second wave of arrivals which came from the Middle East. The Re were farmers who spread westwards across Europe.
Roman
Although the Romans ruled from AD 43 until 410, they left a tiny genetic footprint. For the first 200 years occupying forces were forbidden from marrying locally
This article is interesting because when I participated in the National Geographic genome project and had them analyze my DNA, they told me that my ancestors did, in fact, originate in SPAIN. No wonder Spanish architecture is my favorite!!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Great Great Great Grandfather, Paul Brown
Great Great Great Grandfather, Paul Brown tells us that he was born in Scotland. However, by 1816 he was living in the vicinty of Newcastle upon Tyne in Northumberland, England. I wondered what would prompt him to move. But then I discovered that as early as 1804, a man named Richard Trevithick was hired by Christopher Blackett, owner of Wylam Colliery near Newcastle, to produce a locomotive that would replace the use of horse-drawn coal wagons. Other Newcastle inventors were also experimenting with steam engines. So, just about the time Paul Brown was living in Newcastle, a new industry was birthing. Is it possible that my long-ago ancestor was a train enthusiast and moved to Newcastle to be part of this new and exciting industry? Unfortuantely, Paul seems to have missed much of the heyday of early Northumberland railroading. By 1823 Paul and his family had moved and were living in Glamorgan County, Wales. Still, I wonder, since he lists his occupation in 1841 as "machine man," if he might have had something to do with the early machining of the new prototype steam engines. Interesting thought!
See http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/page68.htm#1813 for key dates in the developement of railways in northeast England.
See http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/page68.htm#1813 for key dates in the developement of railways in northeast England.
Quote of the Day
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them."
--Mark Twain
--Mark Twain
Great Great Great Grandfather John Davis
My Great Great Great Grandfather, John Davis, may have been born in Merthyr Tydfil, at one time called the iron metropolis of Wales. The town is said to owe its name to Tydvil, the daughter of Brychan, the King of the district and very devout old man, who was murdered in 420 by a party of marauding Saxons, or, variously, Irish Picts, together with her father and brother. A church was erected on the spot to her memory and named after her, MerthyrTydvil, or Tydvil the Martyr. Tydvil is not an uncommon feminine name in Wales to this day.
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