Category: family history
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A Farr distant cousin
Making extravagant claims of family connections to famous people or royalty has never been part of my genealogy research, but the idea does still crop up. An Osborne link to the mother of boxer Tommy Farr, the Tonypandy Terror, was suggested and seemed credible given that he was born in Railway Terrace, a few doors from some of our lot. Here’s what the records show. Tommy Farr’s mother was Sarah Ann Owen, born in Rhondda around 1883/85 {1}. Sarah Ann’s father is George, born Clandown (Somerset) » »
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A Cullum update
I seem to be continually adding individuals to an expanding family tree, with scarcely a pause for breath. Or to step back and take it all in – a valuable exercise to appreciate the results but also to spot areas needing more attention. Thanks for reminding me, Glenn. Back in May, I went back over the Cullum line, filling in gaps mainly from 1911 census records newly accessible on Ancestry. Three extra offspring emerged for Herbert Cullum and wife Mary Ann (previously Pye): Cecil Herbert, born » »
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Merthyr, more than a temporary abode
The time has come to add Merthyr Tydfil to the list of significant places in the family’s history. So far I have tended to treat it as a place that great great grandfather Levy Watkins arrived at in the 1850s, married his wife Phoebe Griffiths, worked for a while and then moved on to the Rhondda, where the Welsh side of the family developed. But the place is worth a bit more attention than that. It was, after all, the biggest town in Wales for » »
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The electrical connection
Welsh bright sparks
Welsh bright sparks One of the most interesting photographs in the collection held by cousin Islwyn is this one of the electrical shop in Llanelli. Known to Islwyn as Thomas Brothers, that doesn’t appear to be the business name in 1937 (19th January to be precise). The white-coated person is Bill Walters, husband of great aunt Miriam Watkins. Bill Walters outside Llanelli electrical shop, January 1937 As very few of the old photos are dated (many don’t have any label), perhaps there is something significant about » »