Genealogy Chat

Hello Kathryn - I was born and raise in the Valleys - place called Abercarn. Most of relatives were miners - in fact my sister's first husband was killed in a mining accident in the early 1960's. There is an excellent web site called "The Price of Coal" and just about every pit in the area is mentioned - some with photographs. The guy who writes about the aea I came from actually worked in the same pit as my father, brother, grandfather, uncles (and not forgetting my Mum who worked in the Pit canteen). When I went to school we had to walk underneath a coal transporter that dripped black water all over us and the view from our school class room overlooked the slag heaps - all different now of course, rolling green hills where the slag heaps were. Still the same community spirit though - I live in Nottingham now, and this is a mining county also - but not the same as the "green green grass of home" as Tom would say! Jacqui

got me determined now!!! knuts 67 at hot mail full stop company ??? does this work???

obviously doesnt work on here knuts 67 at hot mail dot communications ???

Message to Sian I find by typing out a website and using the word dot instead of the fullstop it usually works lets see if this works my email addy is knuts67 at hotmail dot com tends to work on friends reunited any way!!!

Hi Kathryn I have connections to Pontypridd and Merythr Tydfil. My Nan's family moved there from Devon for the mines, and one of the family members moved to Merythr when he married. I belive his family stayed there, and certainly some stayed in Pontypridd, although I have yet to trace them. The family name is Trivett. regards Maxine

hi kathryn i also live just outside caerphilly where do you live

Hi Husband's Grandfather Frank Ingram, although born in North Petherton somerset, married a Kate Masters from Ynysddu and was a coalminer. I think he was in Pontypridd. Husbands Great Grandfather, Isaac Masters, born in Gloucester but lived when married in Ynysddu (Kate's Father) was also a coal miner. Ann Glos

I give up!!

oops it disappeared. try again www.<geocities.com>/<rhonddaweb>/<rhonddabracchi>.html Sian

All but a few of mine were miners (Pontypridd, Aberdare areas). I think some of the 'Old (whatever town) in photographs' books published by Tempus include bits on the Welsh/Italian connection. This site has details of cafe's in Rhondda. Remove brackets. http://www.<geocities.com>/<rhonddaweb>/<rhonddabracchi>.html Sian

Hi Ladies, I have no family link to Ynysybwl, but I was reminded of a time in the 1970s. I was working for Williams Furniture and was sent to Swansea and Newport for a few weeks to sort out some problems at the shops. One of the Managers (The name Dennis? Coggins springs to mind) invited me to spend a few days at his home in Ynysybwl. It was great to wake up in the morning and see the hillside starting outside my window. A lovely memory. Thanks for reminding me. Jim

My husband's grandfather and uncle worked at Elliot's Colliery in Turphil, New Tradegar. They have/had the grand Welsh name of Davies!

Yes, we have lots of Italian cafes in the valleys, not as many as years ago, we had Bernis and Servinis to name a few. Ynysybwl is not that far from me Lesley. I live just outside Caerphilly

I don't any miners in my family but I was looking for a rellie for a friend and discovered her rellie was married to Giacomo Bracchi. From what I've read, he was the first of several Italians who came out to the Rhondda Valley in the 1890s to open up a string of cafes. Seems that all Italian Cafes were known as Bracchis after him. Does anyone remember these? Crista

Hi All It's my first time to post to this board after spending a lot of time reading the messages. I would be interested to find out how many of you have family connections to the Welsh coal mining valleys. All my male ancestors were Coal Miners (yet to find a male with a different occupation!!!) Look forward to hearing from anybody with connections to these areas. Bye for now