Hi All,
Another first posting to this list. I thought I would give some information
on the names I am researching in my husband's family.
One line is: William Rees, born about 1832, farmer (?), wife unknown. His
son was William Edwin Rees, born about 1856, a locoman at the Morfa works.
He married Mary Elizabeth Jones about 1877, and they had 12 children. One of
those was John Rees (always called Copper Johnny), born 20 December 1886 in
30 Vernon Street, Swansea. He was a "Kingpin Rollerman", according to my
husband, his grandson. He married Edith Margretta Smith in about 1912.
She was born on 17 October 1891, Mount Pleasant, Swansea. Her father was
Edwin Smith, born about 1860. He was variously an accountant, a commercial
traveller, and manager of a high-class grocer's shop in Brynymor Road
(possibly called Phillips). His father was George Smith, a coachman.
Edwin married, on 18 September 1883, Mary Elizabeth Dowdle, born 14 November
1859, Melincrythan, Neath. Her father was John Dowdle, a Truck Fitter, born
about 1830 in Arlington, Devon, and her mother was Elizabeth Thomas, born
about 1833 in Newcastle Emlyn, Cardigan.
Two slightly more unusual names related by marriage are Francis Maimone, who
married Copper Johnny's youngest sister, Minnie Rees, and Frederick Kerkin,
who married Florence Elizabeth Smith, older sister of Edith Margretta.
Do any of these names mean anything to anybody else? It would be marvellous
if so.
Best regards,
Rhian Rees