Another big thanks to Barrie Jones, John Ball, Sue Ball, and Chris 22 for very helpful
replies to my POWELL and NEWMAN questions. You folks are great! Rather than reply
individually, I'll respond here for the benefit of other present and future
researchers.
Barrie --
-- First, I heartily applaud your and your colleagues' work to preserve Brynmawr
& vicinity's rich history. Many of us around the globe owe you all a debt of
thanks. It's been dismaying to me to read on the Brynmawr Scene website about the
fate of Rehoboth Chapel, etc. etc. We were last in Brynmawr in 1981, and I'm both
excited and dread-filled to see how much has changed since then -- I'm sure it will be
a real mixed bag.
-- The Brynmawr Municipal Cemetery listings are invaluable, just exactly what I need.
Of the Newmans you listed, at least some and possibly all are 'mine' -- I'd
definitely like to get as much information as possible about all of them if it's not
too much trouble. Grave locations would be super, and also any information on how to look
for the monumental inscriptions themselves (presuming, of course, that there actually were
tombstones -- which I realize was not always the case.) And yes indeed, would I ever love
to get the Powell information for the same cemetery, as I think it's likely where my
ancestors who didn't emigrate to the U.S. lie.
-- Thanks, too, for the tip re: the Blackrock and St. Elli's cemeteries, which
I'll check out when we're there next month.
-- Re: Calvary Chapel, I'm glad to have the ID confirmed but disappointed about the
records. Might any be preserved in Powys or Aberystwyth? (I still haven't figured
out how to determine that short of writing each archive, and unfortunately every e-mail
inquiry I've addressed to the Powys archives and Powys FHS, using the addresses I find
online, gets bounced back as undeliverable. Any tips or alternative sources of info on
their holdings?)
-- Thanks also for the Clydach Bridge and ironworks info. I doubt that my Powells
appear on the 1841 census index you're preparing, as several were still in
Monnington-on-Wye, HEF on the 1841. However, my g-g-grandfather William moved to Clydach
Bridge/Brynmawr very shortly afterward. What would be really helpful to me is to see any
Brynmawr vic. William Powells on the 1841 index, so I could distinguish them from MY
William Powell in subsequent records. Also any John or James Powells in the Brynmawr
vicinity 1841 in case Wm's brothers preceded him to the area. Might you send me that
info when you get a chance?
-- Forgive my ignorance, but who is 'Professor' Burchell? Sounds
intriguing....
-- I'm also glad to get your endorsement of the Rock and Fountain, as online it
looks like just our kind of place. Perhaps this tip, as well as your pub and pub grub
info, will help other foreign researchers planning visits to Blaenau Gwent!
Sue --
-- The Calvary Chapel info is all extremely helpful -- thanks so much.
-- How would I go about contacting the Brynmawr cemetery sexton? Would he/she have MI
info for the cemetery?
-- Your invitation re: the museum visit is irresistible. (As a former history professor
and local historian myself, I'm a total patsy for ALL local history museums, but ones
which shed light on my own ancestors are most enticing of all!) You're very kind to
offer. We arrive in Wales May 18 and spend our first two nights in Llantrisant, Mon. The
19th is mostly eaten up by visits to St. Fagan's and the Ntl. Museum in Cardiff,
though there might still be some time free later in the afternoon. On May 20 we'll
spend at least part of the morning at the Cwmbran record office, depending on how much we
find there that I can't get here in the U.S., then drive on to Brynmawr. We expect to
spend the afternoon and evening of the 20th and most of the 21st seeing a number of things
in and around Brynmawr, Nantyglo and Clydach, though we need to be at Llowes near Hay on
Wye by late afternoon the 21st. Would the early afternoon of the 20th, say around 1:00,
work for you? If not, woul!
d some other time on the 20th or the 21st work? (We hope to sit in on the Blaenavon male
voice choir rehearsal the evening of the 20th, but could change that if absolutely
necessary.)
-- I've actually been lurking around the Brynmawr Scene website for the past 2-3
months with great interest but haven't had time to post there yet. However, yours and
Chris 22's recommendations are noodging me on to do so ASAP -- thanks. And kudos for
good work on the website.
John --
How's this for irony: I recently received the Gwent FHS MI fiche for Calvary Chapel,
but I haven't had time to get to a library to read it yet. Has anyone figured out a
way to do so at home? I'm now inspired to scan it at high magnification and see if
it's legible at all, but my scanner isn't set up at the moment. I don't
suppose the MI's are already online anywhere?
I thought maybe St. Peter's Blaina was the Aberystruth parish church, but I find all
the alternate names and parish hierarchies confusing, despite looking through Genuki,
various Anglican webpages, etc. Thanks for clearing that up. And yes, I bookmarked Simon
Furber's website a couple years ago -- very helpful. Yours, by the way
(
http://home.clara.net/wfha/), has long been a veritable gold mine. Bless you for it! I
used to maintain a family history website I designed for my students, but it generated so
many queries from all over the world that I'm embarrassed to admit I just couldn't
keep up with them. I finally had to pull it offline. I think it's remarkable you
make the time to do all that.
Again, this is awfully long -- my apologies.
Best regards to all,
Judith Sylte
Whidbey Island, WA
USA