We all like to know where we’ve come from. In the 18th and 19th centuries the Valleys were a melting pot of influences, with huge movements of population. So it’s hardly surprising that many of us have strong links with the teeming communities that grew up in this area’s booming industrial towns and villages.
Were your ancestors amongst these?
It’s surprisingly easy to track them down.
On the next page we’ve included a host of helpful starting points, contact details and websites. Rhondda Cynon Taf’s ‘Where Roots Run Deep’ is a good example. Their ‘Route to Your Roots’ website points you in the right direction for all your local research needs.
W: www.routetoyourroots.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southest/sites/familyhistory/ is an excellent source of information for tracing your roots.
Donny Delves into His Past
It’s now official. Seventies teen idol and international superstar Donny Osmond can trace his roots to Merthyr Tydfil - and back as far as 1585. As a Mormon, his family and its genealogy are central to his life. With the help of BBC Wales he discovered that his late mother, Olive (maiden name Davis) was the link to Wales. Many of his ancestors were involved in running Merthyr’s steelworks, and one, Dr John Martin, was the steelworks’ Chief Surgeon, saving hundreds of lives throughout his career. When Donny visited Merthyr to see things for himself he met one of his living relatives, Jane Cresswell. And he enjoyed his visit so much that he returned to the town in June 2007 to perform an open-air concert at Cyfarthfa Castle.
Many famous faces have hailed from the Valleys. Are any of these on a branch of your family tree?
Sir Stanley Baker - Actor who starred in Zulu. From Ferndale
Aneurin Bevan – The architect of the National Health Service.
Richard Burton – World famous actor.
Phil Campbell – The Treforest born Motorhead guitarist.
Petula Clarke – World renowned singer with strong family roots in Merthyr Tydfil.
Tommy Cooper – Comedian. A statue is being built in his home town, Caerphilly. Just like that!
Tommy Farr – Boxer.
Archbishop Foley – Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Pope’s PR man.
Rolf Harris – Artist and TV presenter whose family hail from Merthyr Tydfil.
Sir Anthony Hopkins - forever Lecter
Jason Howard – Opera singer. Aria from this area.
Ioan Gruffudd – Famous actor, born in Aberdare.
Neil Jenkins – Wales and Lions rugby hero.
Tom Jones – Singer. Jones the voice. The best!
The Osmonds – Found links with Merthyr Tydfil, their Great, Great, Great Grandfather hails from the town.
Lost Prophets – Musicians from Pontypridd.
Julien MacDonald – Darling of the fashion scene, Julien’s home and inspiration was Merthyr Tydfil.
Philip Madoc – Actor. Refined and powerful orator. Film and TV giant and all Welsh valleys boy.
Manic Street Preachers – Globally renowned Welsh rock band.
Kylie Minogue – Her mother’s family were from Maesteg.
Johnny Owen – Boxer. Fought for the World title.
Ray Reardon – Six times snooker World Champion.
Victor Spinetti – Spent a Hard Day’s Night with the Beatles before becoming The Mad Jaffa Cake Eater.
Stereophonics – World famous rock band.
Eddie Thomas - Inspirational boxing coach from Merthyr Tydfil who has a statue in the town centre
Lord Tonypandy – Speaker of the House of Commons.
Freddie Welsh – The Welsh Wizard who won the World Lightweight Boxing title in 1914.
Howard Winstone - World-champion boxer guided by Eddie Thomas
John Griffith Williams was born in Bronllys, Brec. in 1809. He appears to have arrived in Blaenavon around 1830 as a draper and proved to be Blaenavon's first private entrepreneur. In 1839 he succeeded in having a market place erected. He established a brewery, a small water works and erected a gas works. He also initiated the idea of a road between Pontypool and Blaenavon. The first Town Hall opened in May 1862 and as proprietor he stated that when he came to Blaenavon there were only five chapels, four shops and five public houses. Through his endeavours a parish meeting was called and a road constructed, later called Broad Street.
John died 17th Oct 1884 aged 75 years and was buried in the churchyard of St Peters.
Comment by Robert Ackerman to Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre. “I have occasions to travel on business to Europe, and would like to make a side trip to Blaenavon on one of those visits to further my research. If I accomplish that feat I would very much like to meet you and thank you in person for your assistance. Maybe we could have a pint of John Griffith Williams' beer if it is still in production”.
In August 2003 Mrs Parr visited the Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre to enquire about family history research. It transpired that the Steel family was significant in the history of Blaenavon. Her Great, Great Grandfather was Richard Pye Steel, Blaenavon's first resident doctor. On his retirement in November 1875 the townspeople of Blaenavon presented him with a handsome document bestowing upon him the best wishes of the residents and thanking him for his endeavors. They also presented him with 150 guineas. His son Samuel, also a medical officer met with a fatal accident whilst carrying out his duties and a remembrance plaque was placed on the inside wall of St Peter's Church to mark his passing. Mrs Parr was unaware of the significance of the Steel family to Blaenavon, only knowing that there was a connection with the town.
