On Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:54:44 -0000, Ian Sage <sage_gen@tiscali.co.uk> wrote: > Maybe this is the first time I ever asked you a question, and you didn't > have the answer at your fingertips! :-)) Hi Ian, I think I may now have the answer to the 1851 whereabouts of Sarah PURNELL, daughter of George and Harriet, who was baptized on on 10th. May 1818 at St. Augustine's Church, Clutton. I couldn't resist the challenge of looking for her so I looked at the FreeBMD marriages of people called Sarah PURNELL in the Clutton/Bath/Bristol area between the start of civil registration and 1851. I used Gordon Beavington's 1851 index of heads of household in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire and looked at where the possible husbands of these Sarah PURNELLs were living at the time of the 1851 census. I was able to cross off the unlikely ones or the ones with a wife with a different first name. Then I came to Robert BRICE, 33, a shoemaker, born in Wiveliscombe, who was in Cameley in the 1851 census. This looked hopeful. Sure enough, his wife was a Sarah. She was a 32-year-old shoe binder, born in Clutton, who would be a match for Sarah PURNELL who was baptized in Clutton in 1818. I didn't look further than Robert BRICE so this Sarah might not be the one, but I think that there is a good chance that she is. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

Using the GRO reference number for a marriage found on FreeBMD this page enables you in some cases to identify the Bristol area church where the marriage took place. Its also another easy way to see which parishes are in a particular registration district. http://ukmarriages.zxq.net/marriagesxref.htm More details and access to index to some None Conformist marriages in the Bristol area http://www.bristolbmd.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ Chris Jefferies Cheltenham Glos

On 22/02/2011 10:28, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: > I don't know what happened to Sarah Purnell, Maybe this is the first time I ever asked you a question, and you didn't have the answer at your fingertips! :-)) I thought I might have a clue in the marriage of Sarah Purnell to James Windmill in Dec 1844, Clutton 11 131. This couple appear to be in Timsbury in 1851 (HO107/1939 f 59, p18), childless, but Sarah gives her place of birth as Timsbury and if it were the right lady, she is just a little optimistic about her age - reported as 30. James is a year older and, predictably, a coal miner, b Farrington Gurney. Next door is Jacob Windmill and his wife. Sadly the 1861 entry blows a hole in this idea, as they are living with mother-in-law Dianna Purnell, widow, 75, b Holcombe - as well as their 4 children so this must be a differewnt family. Many thanks for the other information you provided on Charles and Harriet's children and grandchildren. Thomas and Sylvia moved to Cwmtillery some time between 1861 and 1871, but they moved several times before that as shown by the birth places of their children - Clutton, Twerton, Clutton again, then Chew Magna. I've made a resolution to follow up on my Purnells this year, so it looks as though I'll be busy. Best wishes, Ian

Thanks Josephine your kind words are appreciated Regards SHELLEY > To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com > From: jojeremiah@dsl.pipex.com > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:12:47 +0000 > Subject: [B&S] Thinking of our list members in Christchurch, New Zealand > > I'm sure that many of us are thinking of our B & S list members in > Christchurch, New Zealand, today. > > Amanda, Les and Barbara in Christchurch spring to mind and also list > members in other parts of New Zealand such as Helen, Chris, Tony and > Sandra. I'm sorry if I've left anyone out. I'm also thinking of a former > list member in Christchurch, with whom I have had a long correspondence > about Bristol families, so I will try to get through privately to her, > though I realize that internet access may be difficult. > > -- > Josephine Jeremiah > www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I'm sure that many of us are thinking of our B & S list members in Christchurch, New Zealand, today. Amanda, Les and Barbara in Christchurch spring to mind and also list members in other parts of New Zealand such as Helen, Chris, Tony and Sandra. I'm sorry if I've left anyone out. I'm also thinking of a former list member in Christchurch, with whom I have had a long correspondence about Bristol families, so I will try to get through privately to her, though I realize that internet access may be difficult. -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

Yes, I have been thinking of the people in Christchurch, NZ and the terrible, devastating earthquake. Through my genealogy discoveries, I came in contact with a William Pember REEVES descendant, High Commissioner to New Zealand and whose parents built Risingholme (destroyed in the September 2010 earthquake) in Christchurch. One of my daughters, who happens to be on a three year contract in Asia, was on a business trip in Christchurch so I suggested that she visit my distant e-cousin as it is unlikely that I will ever get to New Zealand. She left Christchurch for Auckland on February 12. While she was there, she experienced a 4.2 tremor but did say that a 'big one' was predicted for around March 20th and she was glad that she would be out of there by then. I guess it came early and I'm thankful she escaped. I'm worried about my e-cousin as I haven't heard from her but I don't imagine that email is a high priority at this moment. Already her daughter had to move to the dining room after the last quake in September. She sent me a picture showing the notice on the front door indicating that the authorities had deemed it suitable for living in. There is a Bath connection here, Deborah HIPKINS ROBSON was the great grandmother of William Pember REEVES and she died at 1 Great Stanhope Street, Bath in 1867. Even in those days of the late 1800s, there was a lot of travel which went on between Australia, New Zealand and England. Take care, Susan -----Original Message----- From: Josephine Jeremiah Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 2:12 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] Thinking of our list members in Christchurch, New Zealand I'm sure that many of us are thinking of our B & S list members in Christchurch, New Zealand, today. Amanda, Les and Barbara in Christchurch spring to mind and also list members in other parts of New Zealand such as Helen, Chris, Tony and Sandra. I'm sorry if I've left anyone out. I'm also thinking of a former list member in Christchurch, with whom I have had a long correspondence about Bristol families, so I will try to get through privately to her, though I realize that internet access may be difficult. -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Karen, My g-g-grandmother was also a Mary Ann Gould, she was from Shepton Mallet but married in Bristol, but by 1915 she was in Canada.  Jo Saunders http://joni.tribalpages.com/

On Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:34:48 -0000, Karen Francis <ranaridibunda@hotmail.com> wrote: > However, a recent post mentioned both the name GOVER and Clutton in one > breath so I'd just like to say that, in 1915, my great great > grandmother, Mary Ann OLLIS (nee GOULD), married Maurice GOVER, a railway > fencer, born in Clutton about 1864! Hi Karen, Morris (sic) GOVER, son of Ambrose and Maria, was baptized on June 3rd. 1866 at Clutton. Abode was Clutton and father's occupation was coal miner. The birth of Maurice GOVER was registered in Clutton in the June quarter of 1866. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

My husband found this interesting set of photographs for me. It's entitled Old Photos mainly Bristol http://www.flickr.com/photos/glosters/sets/72157601801015469/ Among my favourite photographs, in this set, are the ones of the Angel in High Street, Mary-le-Port Street, Welsh Back, the Gaol Ferry and the Tramway Centre (showing the CWS building under construction). There are also photographs of school children, workers at Wills' tobacco factory and shop fronts in Bedminster. It's worth taking a look. What are your favourite pictures in this set? -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

On Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:34:48 -0000, Karen Francis <ranaridibunda@hotmail.com> wrote: > I have been on and off this list for years now and very rarely, if ever, > have my families coincided with others, nor have I ever had (as many > folk here do) any truck with Clutton. However, a recent post mentioned > both the name GOVER and Clutton in one breath so I'd just like to say > that, in 1915, my great great grandmother, Mary Ann OLLIS (nee GOULD), > married Maurice GOVER, a railway fencer, born in Clutton about 1864! > Hooray - at last I 'belong' :-) Karen, you certainly do 'belong' as we met you at the Clutton Bunfight some years ago:-) I will look into Maurice GOVER (the name rings a bell) and see if I can find out where he belongs. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

Dear List I have been on and off this list for years now and very rarely, if ever, have my families coincided with others, nor have I ever had (as many folk here do) any truck with Clutton. However, a recent post mentioned both the name GOVER and Clutton in one breath so I'd just like to say that, in 1915, my great great grandmother, Mary Ann OLLIS (nee GOULD), married Maurice GOVER, a railway fencer, born in Clutton about 1864! Hooray - at last I 'belong' :-) Karen

Josephine noted: >However, it has been brought to my notice that things were much different >back then. There was a railway from Pontypool (Trevethin) to Crumlin. To >get to Abertillery passengers would cross the Crumlin Viaduct and get off >at Crumlin High Level Station. They would go to the Lower Level Station, >which was about quarter of a mile away lower down the valley. (I hope >that's right, no doubt someone will correct me if not.) Thanks for that, Josephine. Your answer pricked my memory to look up and find the historic railway atlas at http://www.systemed.plus.com/New_Adlestrop_Railway_Atlas.pdf In fact it looks as though passengers had a choice of two stations to board the train near Pontypool (one at Clarence Street) as well as two further stations on the Cwmbran-Blaenafon/Brynmawr line. They could even alight at Six Bells instead of Abertillery, depending which end of town they wanted. It's quite eye opening (and sad) to see the sheer density of rail infrastructure our grandparents had at their call. It's equally enlightening to scroll down to the Somerset part of the map to see the line across Gordano, or to places like Clutton, Shepton Mallet or Wookey. Ian On 22/02/2011 10:57, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: > On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:38:59 -0000, Ian Sage<sage_gen@tiscali.co.uk> > wrote: > >> My Purnells - as you probably know better than I - descend from Thomas >> who was George's younger brother and married Sylvia Evans at Clutton. >> Both families ended up in Wales - at Trevithin and Abertillery >> respectively, but Charles and Harriet had (I believe) four other >> children and 18 grandchildren from George and Thomas alone. >> Trevithin and Abertillery are not far apart but the journey from one to >> the other would not, I suspect have been trivial especially given the >> limited leisure time available. > Hi Ian, > > I looked at a modern map and was inclined to agree with you about the > limitations faced by our Somerset ancestors travelling between Trevethin > and Abertillery, especially as I travelled along the road between Crumlin > and Pontypool six times last week. (The temperature noticeably dropped > each time in this high- > sided valley.) > > However, it has been brought to my notice that things were much different > back then. There was a railway from Pontypool (Trevethin) to Crumlin. To > get to Abertillery passengers would cross the Crumlin Viaduct and get off > at Crumlin High Level Station. They would go to the Lower Level Station, > which was about quarter of a mile away lower down the valley. (I hope > that's right, no doubt someone will correct me if not.) > > Looking at this has solved a puzzle about the travel arrangements of one > of my relatives, James Parfitt Veater, born Farmborough, Somerset c.1819, > whose occupation was a waterman (barge) at the time of the 1891 census. > Then, James was living as a boarder with his brother, Thomas Veater at 28 > Hope Street, Blaina, Monmouthshire. > > It's likely that his job as waterman was on the Crumlin branch of the > Monmouthshire& Brecon Canal or maybe on the latter canal, itself, and > that he would have travelled to work by train. > > Josephine >

I was married twice. By my first marriage I had one daughter, now 40. My first husband died when she was 14. We had divorced some 11 years earlier and I had lost touch with my elderly ex aunts in-law. My father-in-law had died at 50 when my daughter was only 5 months old. We moved to France over 7 years ago and our son and daughter in law bought our house. Around 5 years ago we returned to the UK and I found a letter addressed to me at a yet previous address, asking for the whereabouts of my daughter.I was very dubious as to what it was. I telephoned and was given a very strange reply. It was on the basis of "something to her advantage" As my daughter was living abroad and fearing that somebody was about to demand money from her, I acted as a filter and passed mail on. Then it turned out that she was being sought as due to inherit from my ex-husband's cousin. He was divorced,an only child, with no children. Both parents were dead. 1 aunt remained (she will be 100 in 3 months) and also a half sister to my ex-husband. I presume she may well have children - she will now be about 50. The person doing the tracing was working for a solicitors firm and there was a time limit (3 months). I have no idea how much the agency may have earned. My daughter received just under £1000. Better than nothing, but not a lot, given that he had a house and, as to my estimate there were just 3 people to inherit (one in each generation) the aunt being nearest, my daughter the furthest Jean > From: Lcsearch3528@aol.com > Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:26:50 -0500 > To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [B&S] Heir Hunters -- new series starts this morning on BBC One at 9.15a.m. > > Hi Roy, > > Oh dear I hadn't looked at it that way, thanks for pointing that out > Roy.......I can see what you mean..........but will still watch it anyway. Who > knows they may be looking for me with some vast fortune waiting! Highly > unlikely with my bunch of ancestors being either agri labourers, dock > workers or miners!. > Lin > > > In a message dated 21/02/2011 20:15:34 GMT Standard Time, > roy.stockdill@btinternet.com writes: > > On 21 Feb 2011 at 14:30, Lcsearch3528@aol.com wrote: > > > Hi Josephine > > > > Thanks for letting us know, I love this programme and often think I > > would like to work for Fraser & Fraser, it would be fascinating. > > > I hope you will forgive me but I beg to differ! > > In my book, these people are what I would call "ambulance chasers", much > like no- > win-no-fee lawyers. They are interested only in profit and have no > interest whatsoever > in genealogy for its own sake. > > I happen to know also that the percentage of an estate they demand when > they sign > people up can be very substantial indeed - sometimes as much as 30-35 per > cent - > and they refuse to release any details whatsoever until they have got mugs > to sign on > the dotted line. > > I would not call them genealogists at all - more like commission agents, > i.e. > bookmakers, since they take advantage of people's greed and desire to get > rich quick. > > I used to see them operating at the dear old Family Records Centre when it > was open, > and they were more like spivs than genealogists and family historians. > > -- > Roy Stockdill > Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer > Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: > www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html > > "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, > and that is not being talked about." > OSCAR WILDE > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in > the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:38:59 -0000, Ian Sage <sage_gen@tiscali.co.uk> wrote: > Both families ended up in Wales - at Trevithin and Abertillery > respectively, but Charles and Harriet had (I believe) four other > children and 18 grandchildren from George and Thomas alone. So, do you > know - did any of the other children end up in Wales, and if so how > widespread was the area they moved to? I am interested in the factors > which led them to move to particular places, which I'd think might have > included proximity of other family members or straightforward > recommendation of a place - but in fact I see rather little evidence of > this as a guiding factor. Hi Ian, Some of the children of Clutton-born George and Harriet PURNELL ended up in Wales, too. Their daughter Mary, baptized at Clutton on 31st. January 1836, and her husband, William PARFITT, went to Trevethin. They were there for the 1861-1901 censuses. However, Edwin Charles PARFITT, son of William and Mary, was baptized on 17th. July 1864 at Clutton. For the latter, the abode was given as Abersychan, so the PARFITTs came home from Monmouthshire to have their son baptized in St. Augustine's Church. Matthew PURNELL, son of George and Harriet, was baptized at Clutton on 23rd. June 1839. In 1881, a Matthew PURNELL, aged 41, whose birthplace was recorded as NK, Somerset, was living with his wife and family at Lower Llanvrechva, Monmouthshire. The address was Cwmbran Slate Row 1. This Matthew PURNELL was a coal miner. Luke PURNELL, son of George and Harriet, was baptized on 1st. October 1843 at Clutton. I've tracked him in the 1871, 1881, and 1881 censuses in Trevethin, Monmouthshire. Abode was Garndiffaith in 1891. David PURNELL, son of George and Harriet was baptized at Clutton, Somerset on 1st. August 1850.In 1881, he and his family were at Black Path, Trevethin, Monmouthshire and in 1891 they were at 2, Commercial Street, Pontnewydd, Monmouthshire. Martha PURNELL, daughter of George and Harriet, was baptized on 3rd. December 1854 at Clutton. Martha PURNELL may have married Isaac T. MORGAN. In 1881, there was a Martha MORGAN, aged 28 and born in Clutton, living with her husband and family at Woodhouses Cwmbran No 2, Lower Llanvrechfa, Monmouthshire. Not all the children of George and Harriet PURNELL went to Wales. Mark PURNELL, son of George and Harriet, was baptized on 17th. September 1837 at Clutton. In 1881, a coal miner, Mark PURNELL, aged 42 and born in Clutton, who may be a match, was living with his wife and family in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. He was still in Midsomer Norton at the time of the 1891 census. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

On Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:36:57 -0000, <Lcsearch3528@aol.com> wrote: > Hi, we were visiting mother in law on Sunday, and stayed o/n at this > hotel. I wonder if anyone knows anything about the history of it - we > asked at reception but they didn't know much at all! It is a > beautiful hotel and full of character. I would love to know more > about it, and who built it etc, age etc Hi Lin, This was once The Royal Hotel, College Green. You'll find some interesting illustrated information about it plus an advertisement, from past times, on the following Bristol Information web page: http://www.bristolinformation.co.uk/srch/srchit.asp?list=list&gdoc=bs&howmany=200 Scroll down as the information is near the end of the page. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:38:59 -0000, Ian Sage <sage_gen@tiscali.co.uk> wrote: > My Purnells - as you probably know better than I - descend from Thomas > who was George's younger brother and married Sylvia Evans at Clutton. > Both families ended up in Wales - at Trevithin and Abertillery > respectively, but Charles and Harriet had (I believe) four other > children and 18 grandchildren from George and Thomas alone. > Trevithin and Abertillery are not far apart but the journey from one to > the other would not, I suspect have been trivial especially given the > limited leisure time available. Hi Ian, I looked at a modern map and was inclined to agree with you about the limitations faced by our Somerset ancestors travelling between Trevethin and Abertillery, especially as I travelled along the road between Crumlin and Pontypool six times last week. (The temperature noticeably dropped each time in this high- sided valley.) However, it has been brought to my notice that things were much different back then. There was a railway from Pontypool (Trevethin) to Crumlin. To get to Abertillery passengers would cross the Crumlin Viaduct and get off at Crumlin High Level Station. They would go to the Lower Level Station, which was about quarter of a mile away lower down the valley. (I hope that's right, no doubt someone will correct me if not.) Looking at this has solved a puzzle about the travel arrangements of one of my relatives, James Parfitt Veater, born Farmborough, Somerset c.1819, whose occupation was a waterman (barge) at the time of the 1891 census. Then, James was living as a boarder with his brother, Thomas Veater at 28 Hope Street, Blaina, Monmouthshire. It's likely that his job as waterman was on the Crumlin branch of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal or maybe on the latter canal, itself, and that he would have travelled to work by train. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:38:59 -0000, Ian Sage <sage_gen@tiscali.co.uk> wrote: > So Ian's family is descended from (I think) George Purnell, son of > Charles and Harriet, who married Harriet Gover at St Mary Redcliffe in > 1835. Hi Ian, Yes, that's right. > My Purnells - as you probably know better than I - descend from Thomas > who was George's younger brother and married Sylvia Evans at Clutton. > Both families ended up in Wales - at Trevithin and Abertillery > respectively, but Charles and Harriet had (I believe) four other > children and 18 grandchildren from George and Thomas alone. The four other children of George and Harriet Purnell were: Sarah, who was baptized on 10th. May 1818 at St. Augustine's Church, Clutton. David, who was baptized on 17th. May 1829 at St. Augustine's Church, Clutton, Somerset. David may have died as the burial of David Purnell, aged 17, took place at Clutton on 23rd. December 1846. Charles, who was baptized at St. Augustine's Church, Clutton on 25th. March 1832. Elizabeth, who was baptized on 11th. December 1825 at St. Augustine's Church, Clutton, Somerset. Elizabeth may have died as the burial of Elizabeth Purnell, aged 21, took place at Clutton on 13th. February 1845. > So, do you know - did any of the other children end up in Wales, and if > so how > widespread was the area they moved to? I don't know what happened to Sarah Purnell, but it looks like Charles Purnell stayed in England. In 1881, coal miner Charles Purnell, 49, and his wife, Jemima, 49, were living at Whitehall Road, No. 18, St. George, Bristol. Both were recorded as being born in Clutton, Somerset. The four children in their household were all born in Clutton. George, a coal miner, was 19. Ellen, a dressmaker was 17. Emma, a stay maker, as 15. Alice whose occupation was 'stays at home' was 13. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

Hi, we were visiting mother in law on Sunday, and stayed o/n at this hotel. I wonder if anyone knows anything about the history of it - we asked at reception but they didn't know much at all! It is a beautiful hotel and full of character. I would love to know more about it, and who built it etc, age etc Thanks, Lin

Hi Roy, Oh dear I hadn't looked at it that way, thanks for pointing that out Roy.......I can see what you mean..........but will still watch it anyway. Who knows they may be looking for me with some vast fortune waiting! Highly unlikely with my bunch of ancestors being either agri labourers, dock workers or miners!. Lin In a message dated 21/02/2011 20:15:34 GMT Standard Time, roy.stockdill@btinternet.com writes: On 21 Feb 2011 at 14:30, Lcsearch3528@aol.com wrote: > Hi Josephine > > Thanks for letting us know, I love this programme and often think I > would like to work for Fraser & Fraser, it would be fascinating. > I hope you will forgive me but I beg to differ! In my book, these people are what I would call "ambulance chasers", much like no- win-no-fee lawyers. They are interested only in profit and have no interest whatsoever in genealogy for its own sake. I happen to know also that the percentage of an estate they demand when they sign people up can be very substantial indeed - sometimes as much as 30-35 per cent - and they refuse to release any details whatsoever until they have got mugs to sign on the dotted line. I would not call them genealogists at all - more like commission agents, i.e. bookmakers, since they take advantage of people's greed and desire to get rich quick. I used to see them operating at the dear old Family Records Centre when it was open, and they were more like spivs than genealogists and family historians. -- Roy Stockdill Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Josephine, and Tony, So Ian's family is descended from (I think) George Purnell, son of Charles and Harriet, who married Harriet Gover at St Mary Redcliffe in 1835. My Purnells - as you probably know better than I - descend from Thomas who was George's younger brother and married Sylvia Evans at Clutton. Both families ended up in Wales - at Trevithin and Abertillery respectively, but Charles and Harriet had (I believe) four other children and 18 grandchildren from George and Thomas alone. So, do you know - did any of the other children end up in Wales, and if so how widespread was the area they moved to? I am interested in the factors which led them to move to particular places, which I'd think might have included proximity of other family members or straightforward recommendation of a place - but in fact I see rather little evidence of this as a guiding factor. Trevithin and Abertillery are not far apart but the journey from one to the other would not, I suspect have been trivial especially given the limited leisure time available. Incidentally, relevant to the latter point, through the kindness of another researcher I have recently found out a good deal of information about Dan Sage (who married Julia Purnell) in Cwmtillery. According to newspaper reports of his funeral he worked as a miner underground for a working life of 70 years from age 10 until he retired at 80. Even allowing for some modest exaggeration I am a little aghast at that. In his spare time he helped found the local Bible Christian chapel and the local Co-op. Best wishes, Ian On 18/02/2011 20:29, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: > > Hi Tony, > > Yes, I would not have known about the parish of Trevithin, which included > Abersychan, Pontnewydd and Pontypool, if I hadn't become interested in > researching my husband's and my family history. > > When we were younger, we often passed by Pontypool, on our way to the > Monmouthshire& Brecon Canal, little realizing that members of our > Somerset and South Gloucestershire families once lived in the area. > > Ian's PURNELL family moved to Trevethin from Clutton in Somerset. > > At the time of the 1881 census, coal miner, George PURNELL, 64, and his > wife, Harriet, 67, were living at 42 High Street in the parish of > Trevethin, Monmouthshire. Both were recorded as being born in Clutton. > > Josephine >