Greetings!
Roy, my contact in Dolgellau, just sent some examples of Welsh documents
and handwriting. I would like to forward copies to those interested, but I
insist that those who are going to Wales this summer, have a copy. We
shall meet the word "Challenge" head on!
I'm used to reading 1600's American documents as well as some Italian
records in Italian. (Can't do as well with the Latin versions of Italian,
but some of that). HOWEVER, THIS will be a task!! We need to start
practicing now. Seriously! Not knowing the words, the spelling and the
uniqueness of some letters makes this difficult to say the least. AND
names are usually abbreviated in many different ways. Take all that and
the knowledge that there could be several people with the same names, we
will be fortunate to be certain about what we find. Touching the ground
they trod will provide solace!
After verifying some abbreviations with Roy, he sent not only the answers
(many of which I suspected, but wanted verification), but also some other
details of interest for the touring troupe!
His reference to Mrs. Lees is a B & B & working farm just outside Dolgellau
and a short walk from where Ellis Pugh lived.
Other statements are answers to questions that I think you can deduce.
(Obviously, he is our cousin....if enough blood still exists in our bodies
with such an old connection.) I've asked how to get a copy of the
Bartrum's once published.
Enjoy!
Emily
His message (edited as this list is archived):
Dear Emily,
I'm glad the stuff arrived so quickly, and happy to hear your enthusiastic
voice. I'll go over your queries -
terr - xxs xvid = land - 20 shillings 16 pence
bon - vl vs = goods - 5 livres 5 shillings (ie 5 guineas)
These are the sums paid in tax either on lands or goods. The figures are
hard to read and don't seem to always make good sense. eg. Why say "20
shillings" when that was 1 pound?
Re the names, yes gruff is Gruffudd - in any spelling - usually contracted
just as "gr".
These parts of names are new to me:
eign = Eignion/Engion/Egion/Einion. Various forms of same name, sometimes
contracted "eng"
grifs = another Gruffudd (also sometimes "grifri")
medd = Maredudd/Meredyth, etc.
lln = Llywelyn
va'n (short of Ievan at the end of another word? ex: tud va'n is Tudor =
Vaughan/Vychan -( many possibilities)
Ievan?" = one of many spellings of Evan/Ieuan (Jeven, Ien, Ie - and just a
cap I are all contractions)
holl = Hywel/Howell
arm = armigerous (sometimes "armig")
A single R is always Rhys (so far!) Robert = Robt/Robtus. Rhydderch has many
possibilities including the contractions for Roderick, though most common is
Rudder. (Easily confused with Cadder = Cadwalader)
Guttyn was an old form of Gruffudd, quite popular until 17th Century,
correctly "Gutun" (The original of surname Gittings). But not (I find) used
to mean Gruffudd, except at very early dates.
I was very pleased to complete the line to Trahaearn goch - the whole story
is truly quite amazing. I found the pedigree in a page of family notes made
in 1591 by my ancestor's younger brother. He gave his mother's mother's name
as Elen f. Robert ap Maredudd ap Metyn of Ysbyty. I now find that this
(unique name) Metyn of Ysbyty was son of Ednyfed ap Madog goch - bother of
the Deikis Ddu in the Robert Lewis pedigree. I've already arranged to have
the line added to the next (and last) Additions and Corrections of Bartrum's
Welsh Genealogies, and a longer version included in the Series 3 (1500 -
1600) which is in preparation (the Evans pedigree will also be in that).
I'll be sending you another email with Mrs Lees' charges for B&B. It's a
working farm in a lovely spot just outside Dolgellau, and a short walk from
Tyddyn-y-garreg. That's why I thought you might like it.
Distances - about 30 min from Bala to Dolgellau, and 75 min Dolgellau to
Aberystwyth.
Best wishes,
Roy