The ROBERTS and JONES Families of Caernarfonshire, North Wales

Description

Photographs and family details provided by Heather Jones (née Pritchard) of Chester, England

Heather's great great grandmother was Ann Williams, born 1826 in Llanfairisgaer, Caernarfonshire. Ann's husband was David Jones, born 1829, the son of Morgan Jones and Ann Pierce originally from Eglwysfach, Cardiganshire. David and Ann had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Ann's brother-in-law Samuel Jones (born 1826) became a very wealthy man and owned the Glandinorwic Writing Slate works. When Samuel died in 1921 he left £15,775. His sister Elizabeth Jones (born 1832) married Thomas Ingham of Denbighshire and between them they founded the Wesleyan movement in Llanberis.

Image 1:

Heather's great great grandmother Ann Jones (née Williams) with her daughter Mary Jones (left).

Image 2:

Another picture of Ann (centre) this time with her children Eliza Jane (left) born 1859, and Humphrey (right) born 1853. Heather says, "This is quite interesting because Humphrey is wearing strange trousers, they look like bandages wrapped around his legs, plus he has a bonnet and quite long hair."

Update - 15 April 2002

Heather has written to tell me she has recently made some discoveries about the characters in the photographs. She says, "One of the photos (above right) was of Humphrey — the one with bandages, who emigrated to Patagonia. At first I believed he only had one daughter, Sara, who married David 'Ship' Roberts, they were cousins. I now know that Sara had six brothers and sisters."  

Image 3:

Ann Jones (née Williams), with her daughter Esther (left) born 1862, died 1925.

Image 4:**

Heather says, "I have been told that this is Ann's daughter (my great grandmother) Esther Roberts (née Jones) and her son David - but I am not sure. If anyone can date the picture or identify the uniform I would be very grateful."

Update - 15 April 2002

Heather tells me she has made a discovery about the uniform (above right). She says, "Today at long last I have found out that David 'Ship' Roberts was a member of a band!"

Image 5:

A picture of Heather's great grandparents and their farm hands - complete with gun! Her great grandparents, Esther Jones and Thomas Roberts are sitting on the front row, Esther (left) was born in 1862 at Llandeiniolen, Caernarfonshire, daughter of David Jones and Ann Williams. Tom, sitting next to her, was born in 1860 at Llannerch-y-medd, Anglesey. They lived on Cae Dicwm Farm, Penisarwaun in the parish of Llandeinolen. The farm was owned by the Vynol Estates.

Acknowledgement and Request for Help

Many thanks to Heather for allowing me to use her family photographs. If you think you can help Heather find out more about her ancestors, or help her date the photographs, send her an e-mail.

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/oldwales/roberts.htm (link opens in new window)