MY EVANS, Lewis and Thomas Families

The small charming Carmarthenshire village of Cil-y-Cwm is located a few miles northwest of the town of Llandovery. It’s nestled in the upper Towy River Valley, an area of natural beauty that escaped the vast expansion of the industrial revolution in Wales. For many centuries, farming was the mainstay of the community, and remains so today.

According to the Monmouthshire Census of 1851, it was here at Cil-y-Cwm that my great great great grandfather, Timothy Evans, was born about 1811. By the mid 1830s, Timothy had moved from Carmarthenshire to Blaina in Monmouthshire where he worked as an Iron Founder. On 22nd May 1836, he married Eleanor Lewis at the church of St. Peter at Blaina, in the presence of Morgan Lewis and Catherine Lewis. As their marriage took place a little over a year before the Civil Registration of births, marriages and deaths began, details of their fathers’s names and occupations were not recorded. However, it’s reasonable to conclude that the witnesses to their marriage were Eleanor’s relatives.

Blaina, an anglicised version of the Welsh word Blaenau, meaning “uplands” in English, is a small town in the Ebbw Fach valley of Monmouthshire, located between Abertillery and Brynmawr.

Eleanor Lewis was around the same age as Timothy Evans, and was also born in Carmarthenshire, but at Llanddeusant, which means the “church of two saints” in English. This small village is located about 12 miles from Cil-y-Cwm in the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Unfortunately, like other ancestors I have from the west coast of Wales, there’s a noticeable lack of baptism entries, possibly suggesting that they may have been baptised as young adults in non-conformist religions, rather than being Christened as infants . This seems to be the case with both Timothy Evans and Eleanor Lewis, as no Christening or baptism entries have been found for either of them so far. This means that other records, such as Census entries, marriages, wills, and newspaper articles regarding family events are sometimes the only clues to expanding your knowledge of your ancestry. So far, I know that Eleanor had the following three sisters who were born at Llanddeusant: Margaret (about 1808); Gwenllian (about 1817); and Catherine (about 1819). It appears that Morgan and Margaret Lewis moved their family to Monmouthshire around the mid 1820s, as their youngest child, a daughter named Elizabeth, was born on 25th September 1825, and was Christened in St. Peter’s church at Blaina on 22nd October 1826, her father being recorded as a Labourer of Nantyglo. So far, her baptism is the earliest reference I’ve found of any of my family living in the Ebbw Fach valley.

On 10th August 1828, Eleanor’s sister, Margaret, married Walter Morgan at Blaina, in the presence of Morgan Lewis and Eleanor Lewis. They appear to have had only the first four children Christened in St. Peter’s at Blaina: Morgan (born 14th December 1828, who passed away in 1830); Morgan (born 17th June 1830); Elizabeth (born 4th June 1832); and Charles (born 10th October 1834). The latter three children were all Christened on 26th April 1835. Their family continued growing with the birth of Margaret in 1836; Phillip in 1839; Watkin in 1841; and David in 1843. After emigrating to the United States of America in the spring of 1846, their youngest child Jacob was born at New York later that year. The family are found in the 1850 and 1860 USA Censuses living in the East Norwegian area of Pennsylvania.

Prior to marrying Timothy Evans, Eleanor Lewis had an illegitimate child with David Davies, a son named Philip Davies. He was born on 8th October 1834, and Christened on 27th April 1835 at Blaina. Eleanor and David never married, and it appears that Philip was brought up by his maternal grandparents. Timothy and Eleanor Evans then had the following eight children together:

Note: * Died during childhood.

Timothy and Eleanor’s first child, a daughter named Esther, was born on 21st February 1837, and Christened at Blaina on 30th July the same year.

Two of Eleanor’s sisters were married in 1838 at Blaina. On 19th November, Catherine Lewis married John Griffiths (a Miner of Blaenau Works), in the presence of Morgan Lewis and Elizabeth Griffiths, their fathers being named as Morgan Lewis (a Labourer), and Thomas Griffiths (a Miner). This is most likely the Catherine Lewis who was witness to Eleanor’s marriage in 1836. John and Catherine began raising their family in Monmouthshire. Thomas was born about 1841; Morgan (about 1843); and Margaret (about 1847). After then emigrating to the United States of America, their next child, John, was born about 1850. In the 1850 USA Census, the Griffith family are found living at Schuylkill in Pennsylvania, while in the 1860 Census they are living at Broom Township, in the Columbia area of Pennsylvania.

A month after Catherine’s marriage, her sister Gwenllyan married Thomas Davies (a Collier of Nantyglo) on 15th December, in the presence of Morgan Lewis and Jane Davies. Their fathers were named as Morgan Lewis and John Davies, who were both Labourers.

When the 1841 Census was taken on the night of 6th June, Timothy and Eleanor Evans are found living at Blaina (Ref: HO107 Piece 742 Book 6 Folio 19 Page 33). Timothy is recorded as a 30 year-old Iron Founder; his wife Eleanor is said to be 25 years-old; their two daughters, Esther and Anne, are aged 5 and 3 respectively; also with them is a 15 year-old Iron Founder, Moses Evans, possibly Timothy’s brother.

Also in the 1841 Census is Eleanor’s family living at Cwm Celyn (Ref: HO107 Piece 742 Book 7 Folio 36 Page 66). Her father, Morgan Lewis, is recorded as a 55 year-old Labourer; and with him are his 50 year-old wife Margaret; their 16 year-old daughter Elizabeth; and Eleanor’s son, Phillip Lewis, who is aged 7.

Cwm Celyn, meaning “Holly Valley” or “valley of holly,” is located on the eastern side of the Ebbw Fach valley at Blaina. It had an ironworks which opened around 1839 with four furnaces, but soon merged with the nearby Blaina Ironworks to form a new company that operated both works. In the early 2020s, a series of prehistoric huts were unearthed in the Cwmcelyn valley which are thought to date back around 5,000 years.

Also in the 1841 Census, living at Blaina are 30 year-old Thomas Davies, a Collier; his 20 year-old wife Gwenny; and their first two children, 2 year-old David and 1 year-old Margaret (Ref: HO107 Piece 742 Book 6 Folio 28 Page 51).

On 8th May 1843, Moses Evans (a Rougher of Nantyglo) married Leah Morgan (of Nantyglo) at Blaina, in the presence of William Morgan and William Parry. Their fathers were named as William Evans (a Labourer), and William Morgan (a Miner). If Moses was indeed Timothy’s younger brother, then we get a very small glimpse further back into the Evans family with the details given of Moses’ father William.

The following year, on 14th December 1844, Eleanor’s sister Elizabeth married David Davies (a Collier of Cwmcelyn Works), in the presence of Morgan Lewis and Elizabeth Morgan. Their fathers were named as Morgan Lewis (an Ostler), and James Davies (a Miner).

Evidently, my great great great grandparents had moved slightly north in the Ebbw Fach valley by the time my great great grandmother, Eleanor Evans, was born on 29th September 1846. Her birthplace was recorded as “NantyGlo, Aberystruth Parish,” and her birth was registered by her mother Eleanor née Lewis on 29th October 1846, her father Timothy’s occupation being recorded as a “Founder.”

When the 1851 Census was taken on the night of Sunday 30th March, Timothy and Eleanor Evans are found living at Coalbrook Vale at the southern end of Nantyglo (Ref: HO107 Piece 2447 Folio 471 Page 43). Timothy is recorded as a 39 year-old Iron Founder; his wife Eleanor is also said to be 39; and their six children are: Esther (a 14 year-old House Servant); Anne (aged 12), Elizabeth (aged 9), and Mary (aged 7) are all recorded as Scholars; and their two youngest children are my great great grandmother to be, Eleanor (aged 4); and Morgan (aged 2).

Also in the 1851 Census, Moses Evans is found living with his family and in-laws at Garn Vach (Nantyglo) (Ref: HO107 Piece 2447 Folio 526 Page 74). Moses is a 28 year-old Fireman; his wife Leah is aged 26; their daughters Mary (aged 7) and Esther (aged 6) are both Scholars; their youngest child Anne is aged 1; and also living with them are Leah’s father, William Morgan (a 54 year-old Collier); and her 23 year-old sister Mary.

Meanwhile, in the same Census, Eleanor’s family are found living at Globe Row in Blaina (Ref: HO107 Piece 2447 Folio 432 Page 52). Morgan Lewis is a 71 year-old Labourer who was born at Defynnog in Breconshire; his wife Margaret is 67 years-old and born at Llynnfield in Carmarthenshire; and Eleanor’s son, Phillip Lewis, recorded as Morgan and Margaret’s son, is a 17 year-old Forgeman.

The small village of Defynnog is located in the Upper Usk Valley, south of Sennybridge and about 7½ miles west of Brecon. It was often written as Devynnock on old maps and other documents. It’s famous for the Defynnog Yew, a tree which is thought to be over 5,000 years old, one of the oldest trees in Europe.

Eleanor’s brother-in-law and sister, Thomas and Gwenllian Davies, are found living at 12 Boundary Row in Tredegar in the 1851 Census (Ref: HO107 Piece 2448 Folio 624 Page 5). Thomas is a 43 year-old Miner in the Iron Works; Gwenllian is 33 years-old; their 12 year-old son David is also a Miner in the Iron Works; while 10 year-old Margaret, 7 year-old Morgan, 5 year-old Jane, and 3 year-old John are all said to be at School.

When the 1861 Census was taken on the night of Sunday 7th April, Timothy Evans is living at Private Houses, Garn Vach (Ref: Rg09 Piece 3997 Folio 192 Page 37). He is recorded as a 50 year-old Founder; his wife Ellen is also said to be 50 years-old; their daughter Esther is now aged 24; Elizabeth is aged 19); my great grandmother Ellen is aged 14; Catherine is a 10 year-old Scholar; and their youngest child Morgan is a 7 year-old Scholar.

Also in the 1861 Census, living at 6 Back Row in Nantyglo, is Moses Evans, who is recorded as a 37 year-old Rougher, his birthplace being given as Cilycwm (Ref: RG09 Piece 3997 Folio 69 Page 43). Also with him are his 37 year-old wife Leah née Morgan; and their children Mary (aged 17); Esther (aged 16); Anna (aged 12); William (aged 9); Jane (aged 7); Moses (aged 4); and Timothy (aged 2).

On 25th April 1863, Timothy and Eleanor’s daughter Esther married Thomas Williams (1834–1882) at Blaina. They had the following children: Timothy James (born 1864); John (born 1865); Ellen (born 1868); Morgan (born 1870); Philip (born 1875); Catherine (born 1879); and Thomas (born 1883).

The newspaper excerpt (right) reports on the death of Eleanor Evans, the wife of Timothy Evans, on 21st June 1868, she was 57 years-old, and was buried at the Hermon Cemetery (in Nantyglo) the following Wednesday. Her death announcement also states she was the mother of the Rev. Philip L. Davies, M.A., serving the Baptists in Camden, New Jersey, America. The McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia states:

Philip Lewis Davies and his wife Sarah née Thomas had the following children: Charles Morgan (in 1861); Margaret Ann (in 1863); Eleanor (in 1866); Frederick Lewis (in 1869; Philip Arthur (in 1870); and Edgar Thomas (in 1873).

When the 1871 Census of Wales was taken on the night of 2nd April, the now widowed Timothy Evans’ address is recorded as Private House, Garnvach (Ref: RG10 Piece 5317 Folio 12 Page 17). He is recorded as a 60 year-old Founder; my 23 year-old great grandmother “Ellen” and her 20 year-old sister Catherine are both Dressmakers; and their brother Morgan is now 17 years-old and working as a Roller. Also living with them are 31 year-old Ann Morgan; and 10 year-old Ellen Morgan who is a Scholar.

Also in the 1871 Census, Moses Evans and his family are found living at King Street in Nantyglo (Ref: RG10 Piece 5316 Folio 88 Page 7). Moses is a 49 year-old Roller in the Iron Works; his wife Leah is aged 48; their 24 year-old daughter Ann and 20 year-old son William are both Labourers at the Iron Works; Jane is a 17 year-old Dress Maker; Moses is a 14 year-old Coal Miner; Timothy (aged 12) and Samuel (aged 7) are both Scholars; and their youngest child is Joseph (aged 1).

Several months after the 1871 Census was taken, Eleanor Evans married George Thomas (a Collier of Nantyglo) on 13th December at the Blaenau Gwent Baptist Chapel in Abertillery. Their wedding took place in the presence of Timothy Evans and Mary Price. Their fathers were named as Timothy Evans (an Iron Founder), and William Thomas (a Coal Contractor).

George Thomas was born at Bailey Street in Brynmawr on 16th December 1848, the first child of William Thomas and Mary Ann née Hamilton. His parents were both residents of Brynmawr when they were married on 21st August 1847 at the Llanelly parish church in Brynmawr, in the presence of John Mundee and Eliza Mundee. William was recorded as a widower, while Mary Ann was a spinster. Their fathers were named as Owen Thomas (a Miner), and William Hamilton (a Ship Carpenter).

William Thomas’s first marriage was tragically cut short by the death of his wife, Mary Ann née Jones. They had been married on 27th April 1845 at the Llanelly parish church, in the presence of James Morgans and Maria Jones. Their fathers were named as Owen Thomas and John Jones, who were both Miners.

George Thomas was one of my ancestors whose identity was proven by Ancestry DNA tests. I had two DNA matches with two Ancestry users who both descended from the Redden family of Beaufort. The one descended from Jane Redden (born 6th September 1885), the other from her sister Lily Redden (born 3rd July 1893). Both girls were the daughters of William Redden and Mary Jane née Thomas who were married in early 1880. Mary Jane (born 29th July 1859) was none other than my George Thomas’ sister.

George Thomas appears to be one of those more unusual people who were entered into a Census twice. He’s found with his family at Bailey Street in Brynmawr in the 1871 Census, his occupation being recorded as an Engine Fitter (Ref: RG10 Piece 5588 Folio 31 Page 1). Meanwhile, at Private House, Garnvach, there appears to be another entry for him boarding with Price Read and his wife Mary née Philips, just a stone’s throw away from the Evans family (Ref: RG10 Piece 5317 Folio 15 Page 23). On this entry, his occupation is recorded as a “Coal Miner,” which ties up with his occupation at the time of his marriage. So he seems to have moved out from the family home and had a change of occupation just prior to the 1871 Census being taken. George and Eleanor then had the following six children:

George and Eleanor Thomas’s first three children were all born at Nantyglo: Eleanor (on 4th August 1874; Timothy (on 3rd October 1876); and Mary Ann (on 15th June 1879). Meanwhile, in early 1875, Moses Evans’ wife Leah née Morgan passed away, she was 51 years-old.

When the 1881 Census was taken on the night of 3rd April, Timothy Evans is again found living at Garn Vach (Ref: RG11 Piece 5240 Folio 44 Page 20). Timothy is recorded as a 70 year-old “Foundryman (Iron)”, and living with him is his daughter Catherine who is a Dressmaker.

Also in the 1881 Census, the now widowed Moses Evans’ address is given as “Nr. Swan,” a public house located in the Garn Vach area (Ref: RG11 Piece 5240 Folio 14 Page 22). Moses is recorded as a 58 year-old “Coal Labourer (Miner)”; his widowed daughter Ann Williams is aged 30; his sons William (aged 28) and Samuel (aged 17) are both Coal Miners; and his youngest son Joseph is an 11 year-old Scholar. Also with them is 7 year-old Moses, who is recorded as the son of the head of house, but he’s actually the son of Ann Williams née Evans.

A few months after the 1881 Census was taken, my great grandfather William Thomas was born on 4th August 1881, seven years to the day after his sister Eleanor was born. George and Eleanor Thomas then had two more children: Llinos (on 8th January 1885); and George Morgan (on 17th June 1887). Records from the National School Admission Registers and Log-Books show that George and Eleanor’s children attended the Garnvach schools at Nantyglo, the most recent entry found being for Llinos in 1888.

The Thomas family soon moved about 4 miles south to Abertillery, where Electoral Registers record George Thomas as being at Alma Street from at least the June or July of 1890. Their address in the 1891 Census is given as 3 Cwmtylery Road (Ref: RG12 Piece 4353 Folio 109 Page 2). George is recorded as a 41 year-old Coal Miner; his wife Ellen is also said to be 41 years-old; their daughter Ellen is 16 years-old; Timothy is a 14 year-old Coal Miner; Mary Ann (aged 12), William (aged 9), and Llinos (aged 7) are all Scholars; their youngest child George Morgan is aged 3; and Eleanor’s brother, Morgan Evans, a Coal Miner, is lodging with them.

Also in the 1891 Census, Moses Evans is found living at 84 King Street in Nantyglo (Ref: RG12 Piece 4352 Folio 59 Page 52). He’s a 68 year-old Labourer; his sons Samuel (aged 27) and Joseph (aged 21) are both Coal Miners; his widowed daughter Ann Williams is now 48 years-old and recorded as a House Keeper; and Ann’s 17 year-old son Moses is also with them.

In early 1895, George and Eleanor Thomas’s daughter “Ellenor” married Onesimus Edwards (born 20th April 1873 at Cwmtillery). Onesimus was the son of William Edwards (a Coalminer) and Rebecca née Jones who were married locally in early 1873.

On 5th March 1900, my great great grandmother, Eleanor Thomas née Evans, passed away at her home, 185 Alma Street, Abertillery. The cause of death was recorded as “Congestion of the Lungs 1 month, Exhaustion.” My great great grandfather, George Thomas, who was present at the time of her death, was the informant. She was laid to rest soon after at the Blaenau Gwent Cemetery, located a very short distance from their home.

When the 1901 Census was taken on the night of 31st March, my now widowed great great grandfather George Thomas is found at 185 Alma Street, and all but one of his children with him (Ref: RG13 Piece 4935 Folio 170 Page 31). He is said to be a 52 year-old Coal Miner Hewer, his 23 year-old son Timothy is also a Coal Miner Hewer; his daughter Mary Ann is 21 years-old, my great grandfather William is a 19 year-old Coal Miner Hewer; Llinos is a 16 year-old Dressmaker; and 14 year-old George Morgan is already working as a Coal Miner Hewer.

My great grandparents, William Thomas and Elizabeth née Tiley were married in 1902 at Nantyglo, and details of their life and family can be found on the Life in the Valleys page of my website.

In 1907, George Thomas died soon after an accident in the Penybont Colliery, which was located on the opposite side of the valley to where they were living. This is how it was reported on in the South Wales Gazette of Friday 19th July 1907:

ABERTILLERY COLLIER’S DEATH Killed by a Fall of Roof At the Abertillery Police Court on Monday, Mr W. R. Dauncey (deputy coroner) conducted an enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of George Thomas, collier, 185 Alma-street, Abertillery, who was injured at the Penybont Colliery on Wednesday morning by a fall of roof and died the same evening. Mr C. L. Robinson, assistant mines inspector, was present, as were also Messrs Michael Roach, miners’ agent, and W. Johns, manager of the colliery. Richard Winstone, collier, stated that he visited the spot some time prior to the fall and saw nothing the matter with the roof then. He was close at hand when the fall occurred, but he did not see it, and upon going there found the deceased lying on his back on the side of the road, quite clear of the fall. He was unconscious. Deceased was removed to the level heading and witness and his companion examined him. They thought that the deceased’s hip had been put out. One of the stones which fell probably weighed 15 to 20 cwt. About half a dozen timbers were discharged. Witness thought the fall was due to a smooth “slant”. In reply to Mr Robinson witness said that he thought the large stone mentioned fell first. The maximum distance for timbering was ten feet but they rarely went over five feet. Witness did not think the fall would have been prevented by more props because the stone fell suddenly and not gradually. The fireman was at the spot where the fall subsequently occurred at about 11.30 a.m. and the fall occurred at about 4.15 p.m. Witness did not hear the roof “working” before it fell. If it had done so he would have heard it as he was only about six yards away. Witness had never seen a fall like it in the colliery before. Answering Mr Roach, witness said that there was no scarcity of timber in the colliery. The fireman was just about to visit the scene of the fall when it occurred. By Mr Johns: Deceased said nothing that morning about the state of the roof. The slant could not be seen then. Thomas Rogers, fireman, said that he visited the place at about 11.30 a.m. but he did not test the place beyond looking at it. There was no indication then of the fall. Witness thought that the fall was due to a very smooth “slant”. In reply to Mr Robinson, witness said that he did not think additional props would have held such a stone as the one which fell. Questioned by Mr Roach, witness said that if he had had the least idea that the accident was going to happen he would have ordered the stone to be withdrawn. The men had never been restricted to the maximum distance as to timbering. Replying to Mr John, witness said that when he visited the place that morning the deceased did not complain about any scarcity of timber. Witness had had to stop the hauliers from bringing it in as there was no room to store it. Timothy Thomas, son of the deceased, said that his father told him that the fall came down like a thunderbolt. Dr F. J. Brown said that he was called to the deceased at about 5 p.m. Deceased’s right side was injured and he was suffering from shock. Death was due to shock following upon injury. The Coroner having briefly summed up, the jury returned a verdict to that effect.

The same issue of the South Wales Gazette briefly reported on his funeral:

On Saturday 1st April 1911, Timothy Thomas and Rachel Jones were married at Capel Als, Marblehall Road in Llanelly, Carmarthenshire. Timothy was a 34 year-old Coal Miner of 105 Oak Street in Abertillery (the address of his sister Mary Ann Gould), while Rachel was 32 years-old, her address being given as 2 Stanley Street, Llanelly. The witnesses to their marriage were Benjamin Jones and David Davies, and their fathers were named as George Thomas (a Deceased Coal Miner), and Daniel Jones (a Farm Bailiff). The Census date for the 1911 Census was the 2nd April, and Timothy and Rachel are found living at 8 Portland Street in Abertillery (Ref: RG14 Piece 31837 Schedule 78). Timothy is a 34 year-old Coal Hewer, and his wife is 33 years-old and said to have been born at Llanwrtyd Wells in Brecon.

When the next Census was taken on the night of Sunday 19th June 1921, Onesimus Edwards (a 48 year-old underground Colliery Examiner at the Ebbw Vale Steel Coal and Iron Company’s Tillery Colliery), his wife Ellen née Thomas, and four of their children are found living at 36 Grosvenor Road in Abertillery (RG15 Piece 26099 Schedule 296). Timothy Thomas and Rachel née Jones, both said to be 44 years-old, are found at Cerdyn Villa in Llanwrtyd Wells with her widowed mother Anna Jones, where Timothy worked as an Electrical Engineer for J. S. Evans Esq, at the Abernant Lake Hotel (Ref: RG15 Piece 27483 Schedule 45). Mary Ann Gould née Thomas and her husband Edward John (a Miner with John Lancaster and Company at Abertillery) are still living at 105 Oak Street (Ref: RG15 Piece 26092 Schedule 209). Also with them are their four children Edward (aged 8), Deborah (aged 6), Gwyneth (aged 4), and their youngest child is 1 year-old Jack. My great grandparents, William Thomas and Elizabeth née Tiley are still at 185 Alma Street in Abertillery with their two daughters, my 17 year-old grandmother Eleanor Mary, and 3 year-old Elizabeth Megan (Ref: RG15 Piece 26097 Schedule 188). Llinos James née Thomas, her husband Joseph (an out of work Underground Haulier with the Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Company), and their five children are found living very close to the famous Clynmawr Shop (no. 74), their address being given as 75 Back of 73 Ty Bryn Road in Abertillery (Ref: RG15 Piece 26096 Schedule 132). George Morgan Thomas and Elizabeth Abigail née Dykes are found at 59 Duke Street in Abertillery, his occupation being given as an out of work Miner Coal Hewer with the Cwmtillery Steam Coal Colliery Company (Ref: RG15 Piece 26106 Schedule 106).

Very sadly, the 1931 Census was destroyed during World War II, but where historical Electoral Registers are available online, they can still give us a little glimpse of where our families were living around that time. For example, Gwent Electoral Registers on the Ancestry UK website shows that Onesimus and Ellen Edwards moved from 33 Grosvenor Road about a year or so before the 1931 Census was taken; Edward John and Mary Ann Gould were now living at 107 Oak Street; William and Elizabeth Thomas and their son-in-law and daughter Stanley and Eleanor Mary Jones were living at 185 Alma Street; Llinos James and her son Raymond were living at 1a Crown Street; and George Morgan and Elizabeth Abigail Thomas were living at 49 Duke Street.

When the 1939 Register was taken on 29th September, Eleanor Edwards née Thomas and her husband Onesimus are living at 23 Ashgrove in Ystrad Mynach, Glamorgan, her husband is said to be an unemployed Colliery Hewer (Ref: RG101 Piece 7331F Schedule 71); Timothy and Rachel Thomas née Jones are living at “Cerdyn,” in the Llanwrtyd area of Breconshire, where Timothy is a retired Electrician (Ref: RG101 Piece 7177G Schedule 36); Mary Ann Gould née Thomas is found with her husband Edward John(a retired Colliery Hewer) and family at 107 Oak Street in Abertillery (Ref: RG101 Piece 7431I Schedule 277; my great grandparents William Thomas (a Colliery Hewer) and Elizabeth née Tiley are still living at 185 Alma Street (Ref: RG101 Piece 7432B Schedule 314); the now widowed Llinos James née Thomas is living with her family at 101 Gladstone Street in Abertillery (Ref: RG101 Piece 7432H Schedule 276); and George Morgan Thomas and Elizabeth Abigail née Dykes are living at 49 Duke Street in Abertillery, his occupation being recorded as a Colliery Examiner Below (Ref: RG101 Piece 7433F Schedule 198).

Credits

The photo of the cottages in the main street of Cil-y-Cwm in Carmarthenshire was taken in 1998, and appears by kind permission of John Ball.

The view of Senni Valley from Defynnog in Breconshire was taken in 1998, and appears by kind permission of John Ball.