Hi Adina,
All of my maternal family is in Wales. I had one cousin, a dairy farmer on the Isle, who
also did research with me, but unfortunately, Arfon passed unexpectedly last year.
Let me see if I can ask his daughter if she knows of anyone that is continuing the family
research now. She may be willing to help you out.
List who you are looking for and I'll see what I can help you research.
Arfon took me to a friend's house last I was in Wales. He was active in family
research and he might be willing to help you. I know he helped us a great deal. He used
to transcribe records .
Let me pick my brain for his name and also contact Bethan.
I have a cousin who emigrated Wales and is now living in Pasadena. I spoke with Eric
today. I forgot he is now in California.
List your area of research.
Arlene
Adina Roberts <adinad(a)earthlink.net> wrote:
Hi Arlene,
I saw your posting and had to respond. I also live in CA, Pasadena to be
exact. Since you still have family in Anglesey do you know of anyone that
is willing to do research for me? I am willing to compensate them from
their time.
My husband's family left Angelesy in 1831. We have an interview with my
husband's 2nd great grandfather (Robert W. Roberts) that states as a child
of 6 he could see the Menai bridge from his window. I can't seem to make
the leap back to Wales since it was before the census and be willing to pay
someone to do research there. I do have names and ages.
Do you have any ideas on how I could find a reliable person to do research
there?
Have a great New Years and 2008!
Adina Roberts
[Original Message]
From: Arlene Berta
To:
Date: 12/30/2007 2:25:37 PM
Subject: Re: [AGY] Menai Bridge keeper, circa 1890
Thank you for being so generous. My family originated on Anglesey and
are buried
in slate tombs at St. Mair's. I still have family living in the
area and love to visit.
John Forsyth, of which we had several generations with that name, were
very
involved in the area. One was a Chemist/Surgeon, another was one of
the seven men who brought Methodism to Anglesey.
Thank you for sharing.
Arlene Berta
Folsom, CA, USA
Syd Hughes wrote: Hi. I am a member of a long time
Anglesey family with
connections to the
Suspension Bridge (Toll Bridge)and the Pier. Members of my family
collected the tolls on the bridge and my great-grandfather, great uncle
and
cousin all acted as Pier Master and the family lived at Princess Pier
House
for years. My grandfather's uncle at one time collected the
Tolls on the
Suspension bridge and at least two of his grandson's still live in Menai
Bridge.
My family has an extensive collection of old photographs and postcards of
the village and it's environs that I am willing to share with people.
The two links below are great information sights Menai Bridge and many
more
are available if you just google "menai bridge"
http://vintageangleseyprints.co.uk/Default.asp
http://www.prosiectmenai.co.uk/
Syd Hughes
-----Original Message-----
From: wls-anglesey-bounces(a)rootsweb.com
[mailto:wls-anglesey-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Betts, Paul
Sent: December 29, 2007 8:33 AM
To: WLS-ANGLESEY-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [AGY] Menai Bridge keeper, circa 1890
Happy New Year from Connecticut, USA!
My g-grandfather Charles Betts was a "British Home Child". Sent by his
mother to a Barnardo's Home in East London in 1871, he was "placed to
situation" in May 1881, but with whom was not divulged in the Barnardo's
records. According to later census documents he came to Canada in 1881.
In
1895 he made two trips to Menai Bridge. Turns out his mother,
Hester, was
remarried in 1885 to William Knight who was the keeper of the Menai
Suspension Bridge. She is listed in 1891 as living in the Bridge House
with
William.
Hester Knight has an interesting, if ultimately tragic, story. Married
three
times, she finally seemed settled into a decent life in Wales after
getting
out of East London. William Knight died late in 1897. A mere three
months
later, on February 16, Hester died as well. The death certificate said
the
she died "in the Menai Strait off the parish church of
Landysilio" of
drowning while in a "state of temporary insanity". It said that an
inquest
was held on February 21st. After contacts with the Caernarfon and
Anglesey
Records offices I was unable to obtain the coroner's report from
the
inquest. D. Whiteside Thomas, of Caernarfon Record Office, DID find a
newspaper account in the North Wales Chronicle dated Feb. 26, 1898 which
reads as follows:
"Some female apparel was found in the Menai Bridge Churchyard by the
sexton.
A search was made and the clothes were subsequently identified as
the
property of Mrs. Knight, widow of the late Mr. Knight, superintendent of
the
Menai Suspension Bridge, who died about three months ago.
Subsequently, the body of Mrs. Knight was found on the sea-shore under the
Cambria Inn, Menai Bridge. An inquest was held on Monday by R. Jones
Roberts, the coroner for Anglesey, when the jury found that the deceased
committed suicide whilst temporary insane."
The night that this happened was Feb 16, 1898.... the eve of what would
have
been the thirteenth anniversary of her marriage to William Knight.
So my questions to to the members of this group are:
Do these coroner's records exist ANYWHERE?
Where would Hester have been buried?
Would there have been any probate records, and where might those be?
I assume the Bridge House was owned by the town or county, or perhaps
"Bridge Authority", yes?
I expect thebridge extant at that time has been replaced by now, yes?
Any other ideas of what information I might be able to find about Hester
and
her life in Menai Bridge?
Thanks!
And "Happy New Year" too!
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