your comments
Michael Griffiths from Surbiton
My Grandmother, Nellie Griffiths, was born in Hay-on-Wye in or around 1882. I believe that she worked for a solicitor named Griffiths in the town and later moved to Cardiff. I would welcome any details about her. Long shot!
Julia Hooper, Hobart, Australia
I am interested to know if anyone has any knowledge of a Thomas Hooper whoa married an Elizabeth Milner 19th December somewhere between 1819 and 1835. They were married in Presteigne, Radnorshire, Wales. If there are any Hoopers still living in or near Presteigne, Radnorshire, Wales, I would love to hear from them to see if we have any connections.
Mary Tolcher Camborne, Cornwall
Julie Howells - I think I am a relative of yours, as well as Julia Hooper. My Great-great Grandfather was William Hooper, who married Susannah Howells Swetman, so Susannah's mother, Susannah Howells was my Great-great-great Grandmother. I am descended from Mary Jane Hooper, Susannah Swetman's daughter. Susannah Howells Swetman died here in Cornwall, in Penzance, and the house she died in is still there.
Julia Hooper, Australia
To Lilka Areton of California I have just come across your letter of Jan 31, 2008 in BBCs'Your Say'- Sorry not to have found it before this. I am quite excited to hear from you as I am doing the Hooper Family Tree for my husband, Bill.I also was able to get info from a descendant of William Hooper who married Susannah Howells Swetman in Hay, Brecon, Wales in 1835. Witnesses at the wedding were: William Enoch, Frances Howells Enoch and H C Howells. Mary, from Cornwall was able to fill in a lot of gaps for me on both the Hooper and Swetman side of the family but at the moment we are both still looking for a Thomas & Jane Hooper, parents of our William Hooper who was christened in Bestbrook, New Radnor, Wales in 15th Dec,1805. I have come to a brick wall trying to find our William Hooper so your tree may offer some new clues for me.I do hope you have not stopped looking for a response and that this method will get my message to you.
Stock from near Cambridge
Jill, Sorry that it has taken so long to get back to you. I lost the page and hubby found it and has bookmarked it for me. I can remember you, the Illingsworth are still in Hay. We must get in contact with each other. You make the suggestion of how.
Jill Preston, Hay on Wye
To Julie Stock Nee StoneMy Name was Jill Gibbons,I used to sit by you on the bus from school. i live near your old house and have thought of you so often, wondering where you are. I use to come to your cottage by the church and have tea with you. When at school i was very ill will kidney failure. Mr and Mrs Illingsworth are still here. I so hope you see this and can get in touch. I am now Jill Preston.
Heather Adams Devon
Was Hay once known as Welsh Hay ?I am researching family history and understand that my Great- Grandfather James Lloyd Thomas was born here about 1878.Any help would be much appreciated.
Jan M Taylor, Indianapolis
J. Todhunter wife Marian maiden name probably Evans, b in Hay, 1805. Does St. John's have records from 1805?
Dave Gell from kidderminster
Does anyone out there remember the male voice choir around and just after the 1939-45 war? Please email for contact.
Julie Stock Near to Cambridge
I lived in Hay for 9 years and went to Gwynfedd School from 1969 to 1977. My madien name was Stone. Does anyone remember me? I am now living near Cambridge and was looking at some old newspaper cuttings I found and found the one for the fire that happened there (date uncertain). It seems strange to think that there was only 300 children in school those days compared with nowadays. I remember some names, but only first names - Jacquline, Peter, Malcolm, Fiona and Sian. Please, if you were there then please contact me.
Carla Thompson, Rugeley, Staffordshire
My husband took me to Hay in late 60s, early 70s. I am Dutch and it was my first introduction to a lovely Englsh country town.There was a book festival then, not like the scale it is now. If I remember correctly, it was more of a second hand books centrum and the day we went there the shops were open on Sunday with many market stalls everywhere. Was this the forerunner of the present Festival that started in 1988?
Barry Billington
Contact me please.My brother in-law is a son of John Mitchellwhom married(18 Feb 1929) Myrtle Louisa Swetman(1904-1981) NZ.His father came to NZ on ship "Gipsy" 1854.John Richard Mitchell in same Regiment in Staffordshire as John Swetman. Swetman not on passenger list to NZ unfortunately.
Gareth Wheatley, Gower
Although it must vary according to individual circumstances,are most people in Hay... Welsh, English or some sort of 'Border'??Are there any contentious local issues associated with 'Welshness' or 'Englishness' ?with thanksGareth Wheatley
Jill Preston Hay on Wye
I was born and brought up in Hay as were many generations of my family, one well known story of Hay is The Hay Poisoner (in which Major Herbert Rouse Armstrong solicitor of Hay supposedley poisoned his wife), but what about Donald Hume? My mother, Doreen Gibbons told me he had a factory in Hay and she worked for him and would not believe he could cut someone up as she cut her hand one day and he passed out when he saw the blood. She also always said he was a gentleman and his great passion was his dog Tony who was always with him. Any more info on this please.Jill Preston
Lilka Areton, California
Hello Julie Howells and Julia Hooper, I must be your relative. I have the complete family history of the Howells family which must include both of you. I even visited Hay on Wye with my husband some years ago. I picked up a history of the town that included much information on Thomas Howells whose sons came to America one by one. One is a famous American writer, William Dean Howells the first American realist, best friends with Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain. I even connected with one last decendent of the family who gave me the whole family tree, including info on the Susannah Howells Swetman and William Hooper. My direct relative was William Hooper Howells and I have always wondered where he got the name Hooper, a very strange one, while his cousin got the name William Cooper Howells. He was the father of William Dean Howells, the famous author. I would love to know more about the Hoopers. What a lovely town Hay-on-Wye is. And Thomas used it to start his woolen mill. His family were clock makers. I hope I have helped a bit. I'd like to add you to the family tree I keep in the Family Tree Maker on my computer. Do write me. Lilka Areton
Tony Evans from Wivenhoe, Essex
We usually manage an annual pilgrimage to Hay whilst staying in the area and always enjoy it. My Aunt, Katie Havard, lived for many years at 8 Bear Street until her death in the late 1980's. The building virtually fell into ruin over the years since which made me sad and angry, although I was pleased to see it being renovated last summer. I was sad to see that the wood turner had gone from his shop at the edge of the car park. His work was by far the best I have seen. Of course Hay has changed over time, but then show me somewhere that hasn't. It must change and develop but it still has plenty of its old charm for everyone. Finally, if there was an award for the most picturesque car park in Britain I always think that Hay's car park would win hands-down!
David Schweizer from Wiltshire
I have noticed the messages from Julie Howells and Julia Hooper, who both appear to have a common ancestor John Swetman. I have a lot of information about John Swetman and his family and would gladly share it if either of them would like to contact me. He was from Somerset but served his aprenticeship in Wiltshire and moved to Hay in 1802.
Julia Hooper
I noticed a message by a Julie Howells asking about the Howells of Hay-on-Wye family history. I don't know if the following helps - I hope so. My husbands' great grandfather, William Hooper married a Susannah Howells Swetman from Brecon, Hay in 1835. They were married in Brecon, Hay, Wales. Susannah Swetman's mother was a Susannah Howells (b. 1776 - d.1852) - presumably from Brecon, Hay who married a John Swetman (b. 1778) in1802. Witnesses at the Hooper/Swetman wedding in 1835 were: William Enoch, Frances Howells Enoch and H. C. Howells. If the above is useful, please let me know as it may lead to further information for us both.
Jackie Gardner
I plan on moving to Hay from the USA to be with my husband Richie. I love the town almost as much as I love him. It is expensive, but very doable if you have the will and inclination. I have met many wonderful people there and hope to meet many more. I just hope I can learn to drive those narrow streets..so watch out Hay people when you see me creeping around a building.
Paddy, Ireland
Passed thru Hay on Wye one Sunday, ended staying for a week on hols. Such a beautiful little town, full of character. Would love to move there full time. Probably is very expensive now.
Mary, Llanelli
Mr Smith, I'm curious about your posting. Surely the town still has soul? It's not as if all the longstanding residents have moved away. And what exactly do you mean when you say "at least that won't last for ever" - do you think that the impersonalisation caused by tourists will fade? I'd be intereested to know what you think.
Marion Evans from Vencimont
I live in the Belgian Ardennes and every summer my husband,David Evans, and I go back to Wales and we always like to buy a few books. But over the years the town has changed and has lost a bit of authenticity, it is too neat, too expensive now,in my point of view, but I still like it there.
Jan Mepham
Request contact details for Marie Todhunter from bellingham. Have possible family information for her and contacts to further her research.
Marie Todhunter from Bellingham, Washington and Ja
Marion Evans b Hay c1805 married John Alfred Todhunter, Royal Naval Officer (as it appeared on their daughter's birth). I am confused though, that Marion gave her place of birth (on the census) as Wales Glamorgan, Hay, isn't Hay it in Breconshire? They had a daur Emma Kate b 1825 in London, then in 1828, a son Alfred John b Marylebone. There's where we lose their father. We chk'd the 1851 for Kate's birthplace, Wales or Eng., could not find her. Marion Evans and John Alfred Todhunters marriage would be a great find. Does anyone know where we should look? No record in extracted Parish mg's. Son, Alfred's first child was named Sarah Wenman Todhunter, then came John Murray, Alexander Murray, Wm. Graham, Eliz. Murray, Evans Murray, and pretty sure these names give us a direction in Marion's family.
Julie Howells
I am interested in any history about the Howells family in Hay. My surname is Howells and am from Hay but do not have much info about the history.
Colin Smith, Hay
Sad that the town has become what it now is
a bland tourist town with no soul,
(at least that wont last forever)
no-one from Hay can actually afford to live there anymore
Talk of the town - add your queries or comments about Hay-on-Wye here:
Do you have a query or comment about life in Hay-on-Wye? Do you have a quibble about car parking or a bee in your bonnet about books? Whatever the topic, use this page to talk about the town of Hay. 