"The combination of beautiful places to see and wonderful Welsh people to meet, makes Aberystwyth a special Mid Wales destination for any traveler.
My family headed for 45 Greenfield Street to see my grandmother's ancestral home. The surprise came when the neighbors next door invited the four of us into their home for tea.
David and Pearl Warrington became very good friends of our family. Sadly David has passed on, but he showed me around Aberystwyth to see the Crynfryn Buildings and also Little Darkgate Street which also were homes of our ancestors.
David also showed me where my great-great-grandfather Edward Edwards had a butcher shop, and the hidden steps that the mariners took to get back and forth between their ships and the Crynfryn Buildings where they lived. The story goes that there are twenty-one steps for good luck.
My great-grandfather also Edward Edwards, was a mariner as were two of his sons Evan Edwards and John 'Jack' Edwards.
Although I'm an American I still feel a great pride for Wales, because of my love for my grandmother Mary Elizabeth Edwards Lewis.
Several of us belonged to the Saint Davids Day Welsh Society in Kansas City, Missouri. I went there with my mother when we were very young. Everyone was either Welsh or Welsh American including Mrs. Russell Stovers of the famous chocolate candy company.
We sang songs and listen to wonderful stories by guest speakers who made Wales even more appealing to us. When I was sixteen I made them a Welsh flag with the help of my aunt that was enormous and they used it for several years as a backdrop to their Welsh meetings.
As of the year 2000 U.S. Census a reported 1.8 million Americans claimed Welsh ancestry. There are many small Welsh settlements that thrive in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri that originated from the need for Welsh expert knowledge in the coal mining industry.
The Welsh though had been coming to America as early as the late 1400's when it was first being discovered and explored by John Cabot and others.
So as you can see we take a great interest in Wales and will always be connected in many ways. I personally have traveled much of my life, but only Wales has a special place in my heart."
Article by Roy Lilly
Roy's photos...
Aber in pictures...
your comments
Roy Lilly (Edwards), N. Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A
My grandmother's youngest brother was named Clarence Edwards and he lived on 45 Greenfield St. and was also a conductor on the Rheidol train. I loved that little train and the trip might be long to some, but I enjoyed every minute of it as it made its way up into the hills.
Mon Feb 4 08:02:49 2008
Geraint
Funnily enough, my oldest friend and I were talking to a railway buff from South Wales yesterday. My friend has expressed an interest in pictures of the original Rheidol railway station and engine shed. What is now the car park and bus garage by the football ground. My friend remarked that he only grew up round the corner.'What do you mean Pont Rhyd y groes?' came the question.'No, Greenfield Street,' came the reply!
Mon Dec 3 10:30:16 2007
Have you traced your family's footsteps through time? Are the places your grandparents grew up important to you? Tell us what you think.
