The LLOYD and DANDO Families of Monmouthshire

Description

Photographs and details provided by Chris Lloyd of New Zealand

Chris Lloyd's paternal grandparents were Frederick Charles LLOYD and Janet DANDO both of Monmouthshire. Fred was born in 1885 in Varteg, son of John LLOYD and Betsy SMITH. Janet was born in 1890 in Abersychan, daughter of Elizabeth DANDO. The picture (below) of the DANDO family was taken circa 1900.

Image 1:

The Dando family, circa 1900.

Back row left to right: Elizabeth "Bessie" DANDO (b. 1887, Abersychan); Beatrice Maud DANDO (b. 1885, Rhondda, Glamorgan); Harry GOUGH, Beatrice's (prospective?) husband; Janet DANDO (Chris's grandmother); Emily DANDO (b. 1893, Pontypool, and married Harry LEWIS)
Front row: Mary née STEPHENS (b. 1863, Abersychan), wife of George DANDO; Henry "Harry" DANDO; Caroline DANDO (b. 3 Dec 1894), married Albert EVANS; Godfrey Samuel DANDO (b. 1898, Pontypool) married Eva HARRIS; George DANDO (b. 1861, Abersychan) married Mary in 1882 at Llanfihangel Pontymoel.
Centre front: Elsie DANDO.

Image 2:

John Lloyd and family.
John LLOYD, Chris's great grandfather, with his wife, Betsy (née SMITH) and their daughters: Elizabeth Hannah (b. 1871); Clara Alice (b. 1873); Alma Jane (b. 1879, Cwmavon); Agnes M. (b. 1883, Blaenavon); Eva Betsy (b. 1890, Varteg).

Image 3:

Above: Janet, Fred, and Godfrey Lloyd.
Frederick Charles LLOYD (b. 1885, Varteg) and his wife Janet née DANDO (b. 1890, Abersychan) with their son, Chris's father, Godfrey John LLOYD (b. 1914, Pontypool).

Chris says: One of the daughters is missing from the left-hand photo but I don't know which one. Perhaps it is John's wife Betsy who is missing, if the photo was taken after her death on 24 Jan 1912? John Lloyd was well known in the eastern and western valleys, as a local preacher of the Primitive Methodist Church. The family arrived in 1877 from the Broseley area of Shropshire, England.

Image 4:

Garndiffaith Cricket Club team photograph, 1907.

Chris says: I tried some time ago to get help identifying the people in this photo. My grandfather, Fred LLOYD is 2nd from the left, front row. I know that his older brother, Thomas W. LLOYD, was actively involved and was the oldest cricketer according to his obituary. He died 17 May 1911 so was probably in the photo but I don't know which one he is!

Obituary

Chris Lloyd's great uncle, Thomas W. LLOYD, was interred at the Varteg Burial Grounds. On 26 May 1911, his obituary was published in the Monmouthshire Free Press:

Thomas W. Lloyd who died 17.5.1911, was Garndiffaith's oldest cricketer, and a pioneer in the development of the game in the district. A useful playing member, he was also the soul of geniality and good fellowship, an inspiration to the fellow members on his side, and at the same time well liked by his opponents.

The funeral was one of the largest seen in the district for some years. The service was at the house and the graveside. The members of the Rational Friendly Society and the Bristol & West of England Friendly Society, of which clubs the deceased was a member, turned out in large numbers, as did friends of the departed. The Coursage left Birch Hill Cottage shortly after 5 o'clock, and among the huge procession were Councillor D. Powell, Mr J. Jeffries, Mr Pugh (Schoolmaster, Abersychan), Rev. Joshua Lewis, Rev R. Lewis, Messrs G. Rogers, G. Jones, Dr Jersey, E. Wilcox and Councillor W. C. Watkins. The Coffin read THOMAS W. LLOYD, DIED 17.5.1911 AGED 43 YEARS. Wreaths from the family and friends adorned the coffin.
The following members of the family were present:
Mrs T. Lloyd (widow); Lily, Lottie, William G. and Thomas A. Lloyd (sons and daughters); Mr & Mrs John Lloyd (parents); Mr J. Purnell (father-in-law); Mr J. Hillier and Mr Theophilus Pearce; Mr & Mrs A. D. Williams; Mr & Mrs J. Lloyd; Mr & Mrs A. Grist; Mr & Mrs T. Deacon (sister and brother-in-law); Mr & Mrs T. Pearce, Albert, W. J. and Llewellyn Williams (nephews); Mr I. Purnell (brother-in-law); Mr E. Morgan, Mr & Mrs J. Hughes, Mr & Mrs Horler (nephew & niece); Masters A. and R. Purnell (nephews); Mrs J. Smith (aunt); Mr & Mrs E. Smith (cousins); Mr Felton (cousin); Mrs Purnell (sister-in-law).
Messrs Henry Jeffries, Joseph Phelps, Edward Stone and Fredrick Tucker, were bearers, from Weslyan Church.

1881 Census entries In 1881, the Lloyds, headed by John, were living at Llanover, Monmouthshire:

NAME and Surname of each Person	RELATION to Head of Family	CON- DITION as to Marriage	AGE last Birthday	Rank, Profession, or OCCUPATION	WHERE BORN
John LLOYD	Head	M	33	Coal miner	Madeley, Shropshire
Betsy LLOYD	Wife	M	34		Worcester
Thomas W. LLOYD	Son	U	12	Coal miner	Broseley, Shropshire
Elizabeth LLOYD	Daughter	U	10	Scholar	Madeley, Shropshire
Clara LLOYD	Daughter	U	7	Scholar
John LLOYD	Son	U	4
Alma LLOYD	Daughter	U	1		Cwmavon

....and the Dandos, headed by the widowed Elizabeth, were living at 3 Lady's Row, Trevethin, Monmouthshire:

NAME and Surname of each Person	RELATION to Head of Family	CON- DITION as to Marriage	AGE last Birthday	Rank, Profession, or OCCUPATION	WHERE BORN
Elizabeth DANDO	Head	W	49	General Servant	Abersychan
Samuel DANDO	Son	U	22	Collier	Abersychan
George DANDO	Son	U	20	Collier	Abersychan
Tom DANDO	Son	U	15	Shoe finisher	Abersychan
Annie DANDO	Daughter	U	12	Scholar	Abersychan
Wm. LEWIS	Boarder	U	24	Collier	Abersychan

Acknowledgement

Many thanks to Chris Lloyd for allowing me to use his family photographs and genealogical background. If you are interested in the LLOYD or DANDO families, or think you can identify any of the people in the photos, write to Chris Lloyd.

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