One can not discuss Welsh genealogy for very long without running into issues involving the JONES surname, and issues with other WELSH surnames. Two new blogs are started with hopes to address these topics. "JONES SURNAME CENTRAL" one is titled. Its purpose is to provide a place to discuss the Jones surname from a variety of angles...the origin, history, and chronology...and any other subject that might be related. The second blog is titled "WELSH SURNAME CENTRAL". Its purpose is to provide a place to discuss other Welsh surnames as they relate to the Welsh patrilineal naming structure so important to understand among those genealogist seeking to trace their Welsh family trees. Come join the fun. You can place comments for subjects or topics that you think are important to address....or questions you might have regarding these subjects. The blogs are:
"JONES SURNAME CENTRAL" at tjgjsc.blogspot.com
"WELSH SURNAME CENTRAL" at tjgwsc.blogspot.com
I post this information on this blog since many readers share interest in Welsh genealogy.
Showing posts with label Welsh genealogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Welsh genealogy. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2016
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Welsh Family History
A second set of books [first and second edition] by the Rowlands is named: "Welsh Family History, A Guide To Research".
A number of other folks join the Rowlands [contributing authors], and present a broad series of topics that are helpful to the genealogist seeking their Welsh roots. It was published in 1998 [first edition 1993] by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD. Helping you understand a wider historical context to finding your Welsh ancestors it is.
A number of other folks join the Rowlands [contributing authors], and present a broad series of topics that are helpful to the genealogist seeking their Welsh roots. It was published in 1998 [first edition 1993] by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD. Helping you understand a wider historical context to finding your Welsh ancestors it is.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
A Reference
References to aid your Welsh genealogical research are hard to find. In America, this is especially true for the genealogist who are lucky enough to find their tree branches reaching back to Wales.
The above text written by Charles M. Franklin is a reference that has been very helpful. It was published in 1995 by Heritage House, Indianapolis, IN. I ran across this copy in one of those book stores that can only be found with difficulty. The contents are : 1) Wales: Its History , 2) Welsh in America, 3) Research in Wales, 4) Basic Welsh for Genealogists , 5) What's in A Name , 6) Welsh Towns and Their Counties, and a detailed bibliography.
It has a section on post-1974 Welsh Counties that were formed after a reorganization. This "reorganization" has been returned to the original counties. [Interesting aspect in Welsh history.]
Well, here is a reference that for those of American Welsh descent may find helpful.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
My Welsh Family Tree (Part II) The Sources
The first reference to draw me into the world of Welsh genealogy was Nicholas and his "Annals and Antiquities of The Counties and County Families of Wales". It was first published London, 1872 and in the preface states:
"The present work may be considered in the light of a New Visitation of Wales, conducted, not under the auspices or authority of the College of Arms, but in obedience to a frequently expressed desire that a more complete and faithful account than existed should be provided of the great families of the Principality, combining as far as possible ancient with modern times."
Ancient with modern times...my kind of fellow I though.
The text also provided a detailed account of the various counties of Wales. It gives the chief physical features, its ancient history, and medieval accounts. A list of "High Sheriffs" for each county is also given, and many times the members of Parliament for that county. Many family histories are also given.
It was among these pages that I explored the origin of the JONES surname among the Welsh. My own JONES family tree was hidden among these pages.
It is published in two volumes. First printing: London, 1872, and second printing 1875. It has been reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1991.
"The present work may be considered in the light of a New Visitation of Wales, conducted, not under the auspices or authority of the College of Arms, but in obedience to a frequently expressed desire that a more complete and faithful account than existed should be provided of the great families of the Principality, combining as far as possible ancient with modern times."
Ancient with modern times...my kind of fellow I though.
The text also provided a detailed account of the various counties of Wales. It gives the chief physical features, its ancient history, and medieval accounts. A list of "High Sheriffs" for each county is also given, and many times the members of Parliament for that county. Many family histories are also given.
It was among these pages that I explored the origin of the JONES surname among the Welsh. My own JONES family tree was hidden among these pages.
It is published in two volumes. First printing: London, 1872, and second printing 1875. It has been reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1991.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
My Welsh Family Tree (Part I): The Sources
There are many sources which can be used to document the facts regarding a particular family tree. This becomes more important as you travel back in time to search for those ancestors. The above figure shows the front page of one major source for Welsh family tree. "Dwnn", as it is most commonly referenced, is a primary source (document) for those doing Welsh genealogy. His "Visitations of Wales" dating between 1586 and 1613, records the many, many families who claimed a lineage under the "Deputy Herald At Arms". Transcribed from the original manuscripts, this source records the families in Wales during this period of history. These records were then edited and numerous explanatory notes (including errors and corrections) were added by Samuel Meyrick and published in 1846. This becomes the standard reference for those doing Welsh genealogy.
A second source is shown to the right. It is most often referred to as "Burke's Armory". It is titled as an record of "Armorial Bearings" from the earliest time to the present. Of course, the present was 1884. This document contains families from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales who record "Armorial Bearings". Many folks in the academic world seem to disregard Burke as full of errors and mistakes. These errors are certainly not clearly identified, but for many, this is a valuable source for the genealogist.
Finding a reliable source for genealogical research is necessary as one goes out the branches of any family tree. These two I have necessary for Welsh genealogy. More to come.
Monday, March 12, 2012
It's a Small Word After All
Cultures are held together by their language. It is their language that binds people together and identifies their presence to others. For the genealogist, trying to understand a language that differs from our own is sometimes a complex task. This is especially true for those of Welsh descent who face a language (Welsh) totally different then the one spoken to the ear of the researcher. Words change, and their meanings change, and their common usage changes, and...on and on it goes. The following is such an example of words that have become confused for the genealogist.
Let's begin with the descriptor(adjective) "small". This would seem a simple thing, naming a "small island"...a "small tree"... a "small man". In the Welsh, the word "small" is "bach".(1) It was often used in a Welsh name to distinguish the smaller of two individuals that happened to share the same name, for example " Ievan ap Rhys"[ who would be bigger ] and "Ievan ap Rhys fychan"[who was the smaller by size]. It was written in the Welsh this way because the sound "b" was mutated [changed] to an "f" and word "bach" became "fach".
The Welsh also had different words for "younger" = "ieuaf" or "ifanc", and "young" = "ieuanc" and to make matters worse a word for "the younger" = "leiaf"! [The Normans also threw in their word for "young"= "jeune".
Now these adjectives appear very similar to the proper names "Ieuan", "Ievan", "Yevan", and "Ioan". Now just imagine if your name was "Ieuan fychan ap Yevan ieuaf". Were you the smaller, younger, or junior, and in which order?
It has become common for the genealogist to assume that the name "fychan" means "junior". [the youngest son of ] In reality, this may not be case. Likewise, several surnames have developed from the use of these adjectives among those writing down the records. "Fychan" has become the origin for the surnames "Vaughan" and "Jenkin". Wow, it's a small word after all.
Let's begin with the descriptor(adjective) "small". This would seem a simple thing, naming a "small island"...a "small tree"... a "small man". In the Welsh, the word "small" is "bach".(1) It was often used in a Welsh name to distinguish the smaller of two individuals that happened to share the same name, for example " Ievan ap Rhys"[ who would be bigger ] and "Ievan ap Rhys fychan"[who was the smaller by size]. It was written in the Welsh this way because the sound "b" was mutated [changed] to an "f" and word "bach" became "fach".
The Welsh also had different words for "younger" = "ieuaf" or "ifanc", and "young" = "ieuanc" and to make matters worse a word for "the younger" = "leiaf"! [The Normans also threw in their word for "young"= "jeune".
Now these adjectives appear very similar to the proper names "Ieuan", "Ievan", "Yevan", and "Ioan". Now just imagine if your name was "Ieuan fychan ap Yevan ieuaf". Were you the smaller, younger, or junior, and in which order?
It has become common for the genealogist to assume that the name "fychan" means "junior". [the youngest son of ] In reality, this may not be case. Likewise, several surnames have developed from the use of these adjectives among those writing down the records. "Fychan" has become the origin for the surnames "Vaughan" and "Jenkin". Wow, it's a small word after all.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Spellin' Llywelyn
The spelling of words often change over time. This is especially true when two distinct languages collide over the pages of history. Such is the case with the name "Llywelyn"... "LLewellin"... "Lewelyn"...or however you spell it. A good Welsh name it is. It appears to be derived from the Welsh word "llen" meaning "lion". [ A word often found in pub names!] Among the Welsh, it was taken as a given name, and in the earliest English records spelled it"Leulin". [ Patent Rolls, 1216-1225 AD.] The following is a table showing the spelling of Llywelyn as used over time. The sources are listed in general terms, but a detailed reference is available if requested. The source of the spelling is listed first, followed by the date of publication, followed by the spelling as recorded in the source. Various spellings may have occurred in the same source. Brackets are used to identify center of word. Here goes:
Patent Rolls - 1216-1225 AD - L-E-(U) - L-I-N
LL-E-(WE) -L-I-N
Patent Rolls - 1301 AD - L-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
L-E-(WE)-L-I-N
LL-E-(WE)-LL-I-N
LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
Dwnn - 1586 - 1613 AD - LL-E-(W{n}) n written as superscript
1846 edition LL- E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Nicholas - 1872 AD - LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
LL-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Burke - 1884 edition - LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
Wood - 1903 LL-E-(WE)-LL-I-N
Lloyd - 1911 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
College of Arms - 1988 LL-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Maund - 1991 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Ashely - 1998 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Carpenter - 2003 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Mortimer - 2003 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
From Welsh to English, so go the names.
Research done by The Jones Genalogist, 1980-2005. Any additions please add.
Patent Rolls - 1216-1225 AD - L-E-(U) - L-I-N
LL-E-(WE) -L-I-N
Patent Rolls - 1301 AD - L-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
L-E-(WE)-L-I-N
LL-E-(WE)-LL-I-N
LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
Dwnn - 1586 - 1613 AD - LL-E-(W{n}) n written as superscript
1846 edition LL- E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Nicholas - 1872 AD - LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
LL-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Burke - 1884 edition - LL-E-(WE)-LL-Y-N
Wood - 1903 LL-E-(WE)-LL-I-N
Lloyd - 1911 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
College of Arms - 1988 LL-E-(WE)-L-Y-N
Maund - 1991 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Ashely - 1998 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Carpenter - 2003 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
Mortimer - 2003 LL-Y-(WE)-L-Y-N
From Welsh to English, so go the names.
Research done by The Jones Genalogist, 1980-2005. Any additions please add.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Reader's Choice: The Top 10 Posts
This is the second article which outlines the posts that the readers of Welsh Genealogy have selected to view. They are listed in order from #1 to #1o. They can be viewed using the column titled "Blog Archives" on the page outline shown. The title of the post and the date of the post are given. This blog is intended to help those who have an interest in Welsh Genealogy, but have no real connection to Wales. [Like us Americans.] Here goes:
1) Words of Life - Aug. 8, 2011.
2) The Palatinate - Sept. 7, 2011.
3) Welsh Adjectives as Names - May 15, 2011.
4) Eyri (Land of Eagles) - Dec. 13, 2010.
5) Tribes to Territories - Apr. 3, 2011.
6) Welsh Genealogical Research: The Foundation - Dec. 15, 2010.
7) The Flow and Ebb - Sept. 26, 2011.
8) The Ebb and Flow - Sept. 19, 2011.
9) Wat's Dyke - Oct. 25, 2011.
10) A Penny for Your Thoughts - Aug. 27, 2011.
Based upon 4,424 views as of 2/16/2012.
1) Words of Life - Aug. 8, 2011.
2) The Palatinate - Sept. 7, 2011.
3) Welsh Adjectives as Names - May 15, 2011.
4) Eyri (Land of Eagles) - Dec. 13, 2010.
5) Tribes to Territories - Apr. 3, 2011.
6) Welsh Genealogical Research: The Foundation - Dec. 15, 2010.
7) The Flow and Ebb - Sept. 26, 2011.
8) The Ebb and Flow - Sept. 19, 2011.
9) Wat's Dyke - Oct. 25, 2011.
10) A Penny for Your Thoughts - Aug. 27, 2011.
Based upon 4,424 views as of 2/16/2012.
Monday, November 14, 2011
To The South
Wat's Dyke extends its way southward out of Basingwerk Abbey. Passing near Halkyn Mountain, it moves between Caerwys and Northop to join the eastern bank of the Alyn river. Here it runs parallel on its eastern bank, splitting Mold and Buckley, Leeswood and Hope, and enters Denbighshire near Caergwrle. Continuing southward, it intersects the ground of Erddig estate just west of Wrexham, leaving Brymbo and Moss on the western side, and Gresford on the eastern side. It then passes near Rhuabon, on its eastern side, entering the grounds of Wynnstay. It then joins the Dee for about 2 miles, until it joins the eastern margin of Brynkinallt Park. Then, near Gobowen Station, it follows a line almost due south to Oswestry. Setlattyn is located to the west, with Whittington and Ellesmere to the eastern side. This dyke must have been the Saxons earliest attempt to mark their boundary and new settlement claims. [Offa extending their claims further western under his reign. (d. 796 AD)]
This account is taken from Nicholas, Vol. I, p.388, p. 437. The title of his book is : Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales. It was first published in London, 1872 and reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1991. I am not sure if some of the landmarks are still standing as listed. If any reader can make any correction please post. It was along this Wat's Dyke that many of my Welsh family made their stories...my Welsh genealogy.
This account is taken from Nicholas, Vol. I, p.388, p. 437. The title of his book is : Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales. It was first published in London, 1872 and reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1991. I am not sure if some of the landmarks are still standing as listed. If any reader can make any correction please post. It was along this Wat's Dyke that many of my Welsh family made their stories...my Welsh genealogy.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Peter Bartrum
Researching Welsh genealogies is a task. At least for most of us, reading and understanding Welsh genealogical tracts and text make for a long afternoon. Peter C. Bartrum was successful at both. Starting in the 1930's, he explored early and medieval Welsh history and genealogy. His publications have become the standard for Welsh genealogical research. The following gives the reference for his work:
1) Bartrum, Peter C., "Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts.", Cardiff: Wales Univ. Press., 1966.
2) Bartrum, Peter C., "Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscripts", Part I, Transactions of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC), pp. 63-98., 1968.
3) Bartrum, Peter C., "Welsh Genealogies, AD 300-1400." Cardiff: Wales Univ. Press., 1974.
4) Bartrum, Peter C., "Further Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscripts", Part II, Transactions of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC) , pp. 102-118, 1976.
5) Bartrum, Peter C., "Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscritps", Part III, Transcations of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC), pp. 37-46, 1988.
This work is being made available on line by Aberystwyth University at:
http://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/handle/2160/4026
1) Bartrum, Peter C., "Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts.", Cardiff: Wales Univ. Press., 1966.
2) Bartrum, Peter C., "Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscripts", Part I, Transactions of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC), pp. 63-98., 1968.
3) Bartrum, Peter C., "Welsh Genealogies, AD 300-1400." Cardiff: Wales Univ. Press., 1974.
4) Bartrum, Peter C., "Further Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscripts", Part II, Transactions of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC) , pp. 102-118, 1976.
5) Bartrum, Peter C., "Notes on the Welsh Genealogical Manuscritps", Part III, Transcations of the Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion (THSC), pp. 37-46, 1988.
This work is being made available on line by Aberystwyth University at:
http://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/handle/2160/4026
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Of Noble Descent
Gerald of Wales in 1188 AD kept a travel-diary of his preaching-tour through Wales which Archbishop Baldwin used to raise support for the Third Crusade. Being Welsh himself, [some writers count "three parts Norman and one part Welsh"], he records his view of the Welsh nation of his day which would be during the last years of Henry II. In Chapter 17, entitled, "Their respect for noble birth and ancient genealogy", he expresses the following opinion :
"The Welsh value distinguished birth and noble descent more than anything else in the world. They would rather marry into a noble family than into a rich one. Even the common people know their family-tree by heart and can readily recite from memory the list of their grandfathers, great-grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers, back to the sixth or seventh generation, as I did earlier on for the Welsh princes: Rhys son of Gruffydd, Gruffydd son of Rhys, Rhys son of Tewdwr, and so on."
Thus Gerald expresses the view that before the death of Henry II, who died 6 July 1189, the Welsh still maintained their Celtic roots, with the family unit being the center of social structure. In the same chapter he goes on to write:
"As they have this intense interest in their family descent, they avenge with great ferocity any wrong or insult done to their relations. They are vindictive by nature, bloodthirsty and violent. Not only are they ready to avenge new and recent injuries, but old ones, too, as if they had only just received them."
The title "Family Feud" might be applied. It was this continual tribal warfare that gave Edward I the edge to begin his conquest of Wales.
A source for "Gerald of Wales" is found:
"Gerald of Wales, The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales", translated with an introduction by Lewis Thorpe, Penguin Books, 2004, London. Reference quoted above are on page 251.
P.S. Just in case some readers might feel that Gerald had an opinion which just applied to his time period in Welsh history, I quote Roman historian writing 98 AD regarding the Britons:
"Nature has willed that every man's children and kindred should be his dearest objects. Yet these are torn from us by conscriptions to be slaves elsewhere. Our wives and our sisters, even though they may escape violation from the enemy, are dishonored under the names of friendship and hospitality." From: Tactitus, The Life of Agricola. Found in "The Historians of Ancient Rome", edited by Ronald Mellor, Routlede, NY, 1998. p. 400.
"The Welsh value distinguished birth and noble descent more than anything else in the world. They would rather marry into a noble family than into a rich one. Even the common people know their family-tree by heart and can readily recite from memory the list of their grandfathers, great-grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers, back to the sixth or seventh generation, as I did earlier on for the Welsh princes: Rhys son of Gruffydd, Gruffydd son of Rhys, Rhys son of Tewdwr, and so on."
Thus Gerald expresses the view that before the death of Henry II, who died 6 July 1189, the Welsh still maintained their Celtic roots, with the family unit being the center of social structure. In the same chapter he goes on to write:
"As they have this intense interest in their family descent, they avenge with great ferocity any wrong or insult done to their relations. They are vindictive by nature, bloodthirsty and violent. Not only are they ready to avenge new and recent injuries, but old ones, too, as if they had only just received them."
The title "Family Feud" might be applied. It was this continual tribal warfare that gave Edward I the edge to begin his conquest of Wales.
A source for "Gerald of Wales" is found:
"Gerald of Wales, The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales", translated with an introduction by Lewis Thorpe, Penguin Books, 2004, London. Reference quoted above are on page 251.
P.S. Just in case some readers might feel that Gerald had an opinion which just applied to his time period in Welsh history, I quote Roman historian writing 98 AD regarding the Britons:
"Nature has willed that every man's children and kindred should be his dearest objects. Yet these are torn from us by conscriptions to be slaves elsewhere. Our wives and our sisters, even though they may escape violation from the enemy, are dishonored under the names of friendship and hospitality." From: Tactitus, The Life of Agricola. Found in "The Historians of Ancient Rome", edited by Ronald Mellor, Routlede, NY, 1998. p. 400.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Early Welsh Documents (Part V)
This continues the series of posts (Part V) on early Welsh documents that deal with genealogy.
"A Display of Coat Armours now in use in the Six Counties of North Wales, by J. Davies. Salop, 1716. 12 mo."
"Arms of the Princes, Noblemen, and Gentlemen of Wales; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 15,018, f.307".
"Arms of the Founders of Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 1143; 1370; 1386; 1946".
"Arms of Welsh Families, sixteenth cent. ; Ashm. Lib. MS 32. - Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 1441, ff. 14-39; 1933; 4291; 6122".
"Arms of divers old Welsh Families, A.D. 1580; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1961".
"Arms of Flintshire Families, by Chaloner, 1670; Coll. of Arms, MS. D.26".
"A Book of all the Justices of the Peace in England and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 7512, art.3".
"Names of Justices of Assize, Counsellors of the North, Counsellors of the Marches of Wales, Sheriffs, & c., A.D. 1562; Brit Mus. Lansd MS. 1218, f.64".
"Names of Gentlemen in Commission for the Peace in England and Wales, 1582; Brit. Mus. Lansd. MS. 35, art.40".
"Liber Pacis, or a List of Nobility and Gentry in England and Wales, qualified to act as Justices of Peace, circ. 1584; Brit. Mus. Lansd. MS. 737, f.149".
"List of Justices of Peace in England and Wales, circ. 1680; All Soul's Coll. Oxf. MS. ccxxiii".
"Shropshire: List of High Sheriffs for Shropshire, 1647-1653; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 5832, f.181". [Shropshire not officially part of Wales, but was part of Marches.]
"A Display of Coat Armours now in use in the Six Counties of North Wales, by J. Davies. Salop, 1716. 12 mo."
"Arms of the Princes, Noblemen, and Gentlemen of Wales; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 15,018, f.307".
"Arms of the Founders of Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 1143; 1370; 1386; 1946".
"Arms of Welsh Families, sixteenth cent. ; Ashm. Lib. MS 32. - Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 1441, ff. 14-39; 1933; 4291; 6122".
"Arms of divers old Welsh Families, A.D. 1580; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1961".
"Arms of Flintshire Families, by Chaloner, 1670; Coll. of Arms, MS. D.26".
"A Book of all the Justices of the Peace in England and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 7512, art.3".
"Names of Justices of Assize, Counsellors of the North, Counsellors of the Marches of Wales, Sheriffs, & c., A.D. 1562; Brit Mus. Lansd MS. 1218, f.64".
"Names of Gentlemen in Commission for the Peace in England and Wales, 1582; Brit. Mus. Lansd. MS. 35, art.40".
"Liber Pacis, or a List of Nobility and Gentry in England and Wales, qualified to act as Justices of Peace, circ. 1584; Brit. Mus. Lansd. MS. 737, f.149".
"List of Justices of Peace in England and Wales, circ. 1680; All Soul's Coll. Oxf. MS. ccxxiii".
"Shropshire: List of High Sheriffs for Shropshire, 1647-1653; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 5832, f.181". [Shropshire not officially part of Wales, but was part of Marches.]
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Early Welsh Documents (Part IV)
This continues a series of posts on Welsh documents that deal with Heraldic Collections, pedigrees, and genealogies of Welsh families prior to 1850s. The first three posts record mostly Welsh Pedigrees. The following references deal with a variety of topics dealing mostly with Welsh documents.
"Heraldic Visitations of Wales and part of the Marches, between 1586 and 1613, by Lewys Dwnn, ed. by Sir Samuel R. Meyrick; 2 vols. 4 to. Printed by the Welsh MSS. Society." [1st published 1846.]
"The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales, with their Descendents, Sovereigns, and Subjects, by J. and J.B. Burke. 2 vols, Lond. 1847-51. 8 vo."
"An Account of the Princes of Wales, from the first institution till Prince Henry, by R. Connak. 8 vo. 1751"
"The Royal Tribes of Wales, by P. Yorke, Wrexham, 1799. 4vo."
"Names and Arms of the Ancient Nobility and Knights of England and Wales, temp. Henry III. See the 'Antiquarian Repertory', vol. i."
"Descents of many of the Nobility and Gentry of Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1975."
"Thomas's Collections for a 'Genealogical History of the Ancient Nobility and Gentry of Wales'; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6823; 6831; 6870."
"The Originals and Desents of the Nobility, Barony, and Gentry, in the Realme of England and Principality of Wales, by Richard Butcher, Gent.; fol. pap.; St. John's Coll.Camb. MSS. H.3; 4."
"Wales; Book of Funerals in North Wales, &c., A.D. 1600 and 1606; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2041; Lansd. MS. 879."
"Monumental Inscriptions upon Archbishops and Bishops of England and Wales, collected by John Le Neve; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6407; 6414; 6416."
"Heraldic Visitations of Wales and part of the Marches, between 1586 and 1613, by Lewys Dwnn, ed. by Sir Samuel R. Meyrick; 2 vols. 4 to. Printed by the Welsh MSS. Society." [1st published 1846.]
"The Royal Families of England, Scotland, and Wales, with their Descendents, Sovereigns, and Subjects, by J. and J.B. Burke. 2 vols, Lond. 1847-51. 8 vo."
"An Account of the Princes of Wales, from the first institution till Prince Henry, by R. Connak. 8 vo. 1751"
"The Royal Tribes of Wales, by P. Yorke, Wrexham, 1799. 4vo."
"Names and Arms of the Ancient Nobility and Knights of England and Wales, temp. Henry III. See the 'Antiquarian Repertory', vol. i."
"Descents of many of the Nobility and Gentry of Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1975."
"Thomas's Collections for a 'Genealogical History of the Ancient Nobility and Gentry of Wales'; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6823; 6831; 6870."
"The Originals and Desents of the Nobility, Barony, and Gentry, in the Realme of England and Principality of Wales, by Richard Butcher, Gent.; fol. pap.; St. John's Coll.Camb. MSS. H.3; 4."
"Wales; Book of Funerals in North Wales, &c., A.D. 1600 and 1606; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2041; Lansd. MS. 879."
"Monumental Inscriptions upon Archbishops and Bishops of England and Wales, collected by John Le Neve; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6407; 6414; 6416."
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Early Welsh Document (Part III)
This continues the series on early Welsh documents that deal with genealogy. Its source is from the text by Richard Sims written in 1850 titled "A Manual for The Genealogist...". [See the two previous posts.]
"Arms and Descents of Welsh Families, temp. Hen. VII; ASHM. LIB. MS 32." [Not sure what the abbreviations for ASHM. LIB. represents. Anyone know, please post comment.]
"Copies of some Pedigrees in Fellows' Visitation of Wales in 1530; Coll. of Arms, MS. F. 9."
"Pedigrees from the Visitation of Wales, by Lewys Dwnn, edited by Sir Samuel R. Meyrick. 2 vols. 4.to. Printed by the Welsh MSS. Society."
"Pedigrees of a few Welsh Families, compiled about 1587; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 12, 471."
"A Collection of Welsh Pedigrees, compiled circ. 1590: Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 18,114."
"Welsh and Anglo-Saxon Genealogies in Welsh, seventeenth cent.; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 19,761."
"Descent of divers Noble Houses springing from Wales, eighteenth cent.; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 14,914."
"List of Esquires in England and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6804, art. 104."
"Willis's Collections for a History of Bangor; Jesus Coll. Oxf. MSS. cxv.; cxvi."
"Collection of Welsh Pedigrees, chiefly of Families of Brecknockshire; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2289."
"Pedigrees of Families of Carnarvonshire; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2300."
"History of Glamorganshire, by Rice Merrick, 1578; Queen's Coll. Oxf. MS. cclxxxviii. Privately printed by Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart."
"A full Description of the County of Pembroke, containing some curious matter; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6250."
"Descents and Arms of Pembrokeshire Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6824."
"A Visitation of Pembrokeshire in 1671; Chetham Lib. MS. 6715."
"Observations on the Snowdon Mountains, with a Genealogical Account of the Penrhyn Families, by W. Williams. Lond. 1802. 8vo."
"Arms and Descents of Welsh Families, temp. Hen. VII; ASHM. LIB. MS 32." [Not sure what the abbreviations for ASHM. LIB. represents. Anyone know, please post comment.]
"Copies of some Pedigrees in Fellows' Visitation of Wales in 1530; Coll. of Arms, MS. F. 9."
"Pedigrees from the Visitation of Wales, by Lewys Dwnn, edited by Sir Samuel R. Meyrick. 2 vols. 4.to. Printed by the Welsh MSS. Society."
"Pedigrees of a few Welsh Families, compiled about 1587; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 12, 471."
"A Collection of Welsh Pedigrees, compiled circ. 1590: Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 18,114."
"Welsh and Anglo-Saxon Genealogies in Welsh, seventeenth cent.; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 19,761."
"Descent of divers Noble Houses springing from Wales, eighteenth cent.; Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 14,914."
"List of Esquires in England and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6804, art. 104."
"Willis's Collections for a History of Bangor; Jesus Coll. Oxf. MSS. cxv.; cxvi."
"Collection of Welsh Pedigrees, chiefly of Families of Brecknockshire; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2289."
"Pedigrees of Families of Carnarvonshire; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 2300."
"History of Glamorganshire, by Rice Merrick, 1578; Queen's Coll. Oxf. MS. cclxxxviii. Privately printed by Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart."
"A full Description of the County of Pembroke, containing some curious matter; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6250."
"Descents and Arms of Pembrokeshire Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6824."
"A Visitation of Pembrokeshire in 1671; Chetham Lib. MS. 6715."
"Observations on the Snowdon Mountains, with a Genealogical Account of the Penrhyn Families, by W. Williams. Lond. 1802. 8vo."
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Early Welsh Documents (Part II)
This is the second in a series of post that deal with Welsh documents having to do with genealogy. They have been recorded by Richard Sims in 1856. [A source not readily available to most folks.] He also compiled "Hand-book to the Library of the British Museum" where many of these references are stored. [Part II, taken from pp.227-228 of his text shown in the last post.]
"Pedigrees and other matter, chiefly Historical, relating to Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 4181". [See last post for definition of terms.]
"Genealogies of Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 5058."
"Arms and Descents of one hundred and ninety-seven Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6102."
"Pedigrees of Families of Shropshire and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6153."
"Hugh Thomas's Collections for a "Genealogical History of the Nobility and Gentry of Wales"; Birt. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6823; 6831; 6870."
"Short Collections for a Feudal History of Wales; Brit. Mus. Add MS. 4232."
"Numerous Pedigrees of Welsh Families, sixteenth to eighteenth century; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS 6915, f. 445; 9864--9867; 14,915--14,919; 14,942; 15,041."
"Genealogies of the principal Families of Wales, in two vols; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 15,017; 15,018."
"A Collection of Welsh Pedigrees; Caius Coll. Camb. MS. 537, f. 211."
"Pedigrees of Welsh Families; Coll. of Arms, Vincent MSS. 135--137."
"Ancient Descents of Gentlemen in Wales; Coll. of Arms, Vincent MS. 180."
"A short History of Wales, from A.D. 688 to A.D. 936, with some Genealogies and Epitaphs; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 3325."
More to come!
"Pedigrees and other matter, chiefly Historical, relating to Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 4181". [See last post for definition of terms.]
"Genealogies of Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 5058."
"Arms and Descents of one hundred and ninety-seven Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6102."
"Pedigrees of Families of Shropshire and Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6153."
"Hugh Thomas's Collections for a "Genealogical History of the Nobility and Gentry of Wales"; Birt. Mus. Harl. MSS. 6823; 6831; 6870."
"Short Collections for a Feudal History of Wales; Brit. Mus. Add MS. 4232."
"Numerous Pedigrees of Welsh Families, sixteenth to eighteenth century; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS 6915, f. 445; 9864--9867; 14,915--14,919; 14,942; 15,041."
"Genealogies of the principal Families of Wales, in two vols; Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 15,017; 15,018."
"A Collection of Welsh Pedigrees; Caius Coll. Camb. MS. 537, f. 211."
"Pedigrees of Welsh Families; Coll. of Arms, Vincent MSS. 135--137."
"Ancient Descents of Gentlemen in Wales; Coll. of Arms, Vincent MS. 180."
"A short History of Wales, from A.D. 688 to A.D. 936, with some Genealogies and Epitaphs; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 3325."
More to come!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Early Welsh Documents (Part 1)
Welsh genealogy requires a great deal of interest in things of the past. Having some idea where documents exist which deal with this area is important. The earliest text I have found which deals with genealogy is titled "A Manual for The Genealogist, Topographer, Antiquary, and Legal Professor..." by Richard Sims, published London, John Russell Smith, 1856. A copy of the title page is shown. In this text, an outline of Welsh resources [as they existed in 1856] is presented. I will try and outline these sources over the next several post.
Under "Heraldic Collections" beginning on page 227:
"A Tour in quest of Genealogy, through several parts of Wales, &c, by a Barrister. Lond. 1811. 8vo."
"Descents of Welsh Families; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1412, f. 54b." [Brit. Mus. = British Museum] [Harl. MS = Harleian Manuscripts] [f. = folio, meaning file which contains] [1412 = number of file in this series ] see http://harleian.org.uk/
"Collection of Welsh Pedigrees in Welsh; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1935."
"Welsh Pedigrees, amongst which are those of each of the Fifteen Tribes, excepting one; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 1969."
"Extensive Collections of Welsh Pedigrees, chiefly of North Wales; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS 1970 - 1979."
"Pedigrees of several Families of Wales, chiefly by Randle Holme; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS 2094."
"Pedigrees of several Welsh Families ; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 1936 ; 1995 ; 1997 ; 2218 ; 2288 ; 2291 ; 4031, ff. 58 - 71."
"A large Collection of Welsh Descents, principally in Welsh ; Brit. Mus. Harl. MSS. 2299 ; 2414."
"Welsh Pedigrees in detail; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 3538."
"Pedigrees of several Families in Wales ; Brit. Mus. Harl. MS. 6068, f. 56."
Monday, March 7, 2011
Pillar of Eliseg
Claim through lineal descent was a major requirement for those who sought to occupy the land in the mountains and hills of Wales. As early as 850 A.D., Concenn (Cyngen) claimed leadership of his family's lands through direct descent of his great-grandfather Eliseg (Elisedd). [Welsh law allowed heirs to claim "pencenedl" (head of family)to the fourth generation.] Eliseg is believed to have recovered his family's lands, the "kingdom of Provosia" (Powys), from the Anglo-Saxons. Concenn then erected a stone monument, crowned by a cross, apparently over the grave of Eliseg. This monument has come to be called "The Pillar of Eliseg".
During the English Civil War, the cross was broken and thrown down by Puritan fury who seemed to believe it was some sort of Popish idolatry. Re-erected, the "cross" now stands seven to eight feet tall. It is believed to have been originally at least 12-25 feet tall. The inscriptions upon the monument have long been illegible. At least some partial translations have been recorded before its destruction. Written in Latin [Church folks would have written it.] it is recorded by Edward Llwyd:
"Concenn filius Cateli, Cateli filius Brochmail, Brochmail filus Eliseg, Eliseg filuse Cnoillaine, Concenn itaque pronepos Eliseg edificavit hunc lapidem proavo suo Eliseg..."
Translated, this would roughly read: "Concenn was the son of Cattell, Cattell the son of Brohemail, Brohemail the son of Eliseg, Eliseg the son of Guoillaue. Concenn therefor the great-grandson of Eliseg built this stone to his great-grandfather Eliseg..."
Ashley in his book, British Kings & Queens, lists this lineage through Vortigen, who is credited with inviting the Saxons to the island in the first place! [found on p. 151 under "Powys and The Marches".]
Family, family, family; lineage, lineage, lineage; genealogy, genealogy, genealogy; this is the Welsh way.
During the English Civil War, the cross was broken and thrown down by Puritan fury who seemed to believe it was some sort of Popish idolatry. Re-erected, the "cross" now stands seven to eight feet tall. It is believed to have been originally at least 12-25 feet tall. The inscriptions upon the monument have long been illegible. At least some partial translations have been recorded before its destruction. Written in Latin [Church folks would have written it.] it is recorded by Edward Llwyd:
"Concenn filius Cateli, Cateli filius Brochmail, Brochmail filus Eliseg, Eliseg filuse Cnoillaine, Concenn itaque pronepos Eliseg edificavit hunc lapidem proavo suo Eliseg..."
Translated, this would roughly read: "Concenn was the son of Cattell, Cattell the son of Brohemail, Brohemail the son of Eliseg, Eliseg the son of Guoillaue. Concenn therefor the great-grandson of Eliseg built this stone to his great-grandfather Eliseg..."
Ashley in his book, British Kings & Queens, lists this lineage through Vortigen, who is credited with inviting the Saxons to the island in the first place! [found on p. 151 under "Powys and The Marches".]
Family, family, family; lineage, lineage, lineage; genealogy, genealogy, genealogy; this is the Welsh way.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Social System
The family group formed the foundation of Celtic society. This agnatic group [related through male descent or on the father's side] extended over four generations. It centered around groups of farmsteads, each the property of a particular family. The original settlement of the kindred group was called the "henfref". In the Welsh this family property came to be called the "trefs". As the number of family settlements began to increase in number and size, the holding of family meetings (courts) and the collection of dues (taxes) became more of a logistic problem. The "trefs" [12 - 16 in number] were then grouped into "commotes" to help facilitate the collection of dues and hold family meetings in a more central area. As the number of "commotes" increased in size, their organization became more important, and a group of commotes [4-6 in number] were formed into larger social units called "cantrefs". The cantrefs were roughly synonymous with the Anglo-Saxon hundred. The further up the social chain, the most distant the family relationships. You can begin to see how the leadership of the cantrefs would come into question, as the number of cantrefs increased, each being a different family [kindred group]. A group of cantrefs might form together to help one another in certain disputes. This group of cantrefs would need a chief leader, and soon these groups of cantrefs came under the control of a head, called ultimately a "king" by the Romans. Thus, the largest administrative unit in the Welsh culture became viewed as a "principality", under the rule of a single individual, which then became the rule of a single dynasty. In the Welsh, these political units were called a "gwlad". The head (king) exercised certain privileges which came to be called "prerogatives". As a male born into this social system, it was his standing in a network of kindred [trefs], rather than his standing as the citizen of a state, that determined his social status, his economic rights, and his legal obligations under tribal law.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Name
As the dust started to settle among the hills and mountains, tribal groups clustered among them. As in any culture, when you first meet, you ask "What is your name?", and "Where are you from"? In the earliest days, it was common to give your name and some sort of physical description. This might be like...Peter, the Tall, or Peter, The Short, or David The Red Headed, or David with the Dark Skin. As the families became more organized and settled, and their history more prolonged, the founding fathers (tribal leaders) would become more important. "Who was your father?" came to be extremely important, especially if you had a score to settle or reprisal to take.
On the island, the Picts appear to be the first group to adapt the system of linking their name to that of their father. Drust Mac Erp is the earliest to recorded such a name, living around 449 A.D. Here, Mac means "son of", thus Drust is the son of Erp.(p.169)[These names are taken from a reference called "British Kings & Queens, by Mike Ashley, Barnes & Noble, 1998. The page numbers from this reference are given.] It was some 80 years later that around 530 A.D. Cynlas ap Owain appears in the Welsh Kingdom of Powys.(p.150) This is closely followed by:
Erbin map Custennyn, 540 A.D., from the south-east and south-west (p.116)
Bodgu ap Serguil, 560 A.D., from Ceredigion and Seisyllwg, (p.130)
Meurig ap Tewdrig, 580 A.D., from Gwent and Glywysing, (p.125)
Beli ap Rhun, 580 A.D., from Venedotia and Gwynedd, (p.144)
Owain map Urien, 590 A.D., from northern Britain, (p.106)
From this listing, it can be seen that this system of naming had taken root before 600 A.D. The Welsh system became "ap" (before a constant), and "ab" (before a vowel) to mean "the son of".
On the island, the Picts appear to be the first group to adapt the system of linking their name to that of their father. Drust Mac Erp is the earliest to recorded such a name, living around 449 A.D. Here, Mac means "son of", thus Drust is the son of Erp.(p.169)[These names are taken from a reference called "British Kings & Queens, by Mike Ashley, Barnes & Noble, 1998. The page numbers from this reference are given.] It was some 80 years later that around 530 A.D. Cynlas ap Owain appears in the Welsh Kingdom of Powys.(p.150) This is closely followed by:
Erbin map Custennyn, 540 A.D., from the south-east and south-west (p.116)
Bodgu ap Serguil, 560 A.D., from Ceredigion and Seisyllwg, (p.130)
Meurig ap Tewdrig, 580 A.D., from Gwent and Glywysing, (p.125)
Beli ap Rhun, 580 A.D., from Venedotia and Gwynedd, (p.144)
Owain map Urien, 590 A.D., from northern Britain, (p.106)
From this listing, it can be seen that this system of naming had taken root before 600 A.D. The Welsh system became "ap" (before a constant), and "ab" (before a vowel) to mean "the son of".
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Mountains, The Mountains
From 600 feet, to more than 3,000 feet goes the land. The highest peak being 3560 feet located in the extreme northwest. In the south, the highest peak being 2960 feet. Climb every mountain would seem to be the theme of this land!
The map to the right is my attempt to show the geographic distributions of these mountain peaks. Scattered about in several clusters, they divide and break apart this land into distinct settlement areas. After Roman withdrawal, these areas became open to any group that could get there first and hold on to the land.
Early Welsh writers identify several folks who took charge during this period. [400 A.D.- 600 A.D.] The Cunedda conquests are part of this history. Left alone alone in the northern most boarder of the Roman defenses, called Antonia Wall, he came with his sons to defend the northwest area from the Irish. He and his sons are identified as the founding fathers of what was to become the Kingdom of Gwynedd. [Some early writers also call this Venedotae from the tribe thought to occupy this part of the world.]
You have already read about Vortigern (Gwrtheyrn) and his many escapades involving the Saxons. He is credited, good or bad, with the founding of what was to become the Kingdom of Powys, after being driven there by the Saxons and most of the Britons. [This is where my JONES family derives its Y-DNA.]
The southwest corner came under Irish influence through the spread of Christianity. David, a Celtic priest, came to this area and established a monastic house at what came to be called St. Davids. His name was given to Dyfed, which became the Kingdom of Dyfed.
The southeast sections split in several small areas with competing interest. It is in this area that the "Men of Gwent" settled.
The founding fathers are many. You can begin to understand their history and genealogy based upon the geography of the land. As the Welsh language developed, it was used to describe the location of their family's land. Over the hill, past the large meadow, to the small lake was about the only way to give directions. Understanding these facts begin to lay a foundation to understanding Welsh genealogy, and the Welsh language.
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