your comments
Ann Thomas, Arts Consultant Denbighshire
By way of an update, following a feasibility study carried out by Questionnaire in the towns of Denbigh and St Asaph the overwhelming feeling was that a commemmoration to HM Stanley would be an asset to the community. Nothwithstanding any historic political views, his achievements, especially in the context of the time in which he lived, were outstanding and every effort will now be made to secure the necessary funding to commission suitable works of commemmoration.
Tue Apr 7 11:48:52 2009
Peter Rowlands
I'm not 100% certain but I am led to believe that I am related to Sir HMS. I believe he had a brother. My side of the Rowlands family come from Birkenhead on the Wirral. Exactly how related is unsure, but seem to think he is a great great uncle. Anyone with anymore info regards Rowlands family ties to HMS on the Wirral please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Mon Feb 9 10:11:51 2009
HM Stanley
My name is Henry Morton Stanley. I was born in St Asaph hospital by accident in the winter of 1963. Seemingly there was a black woman doctor who gave birth in the same ward as my mother and her name was Dr Livingstone? This story was reported to the then local papers. Can anyone help trace the article please? I believe that the midwife at the time was a Sister Mostyn? Whilst I carry his name there is no blood connection to him as far as I know. As a child I visited the now former Stanley estate in Perbright, Surrey, at the request of his grandson Sir Richard Stanley. It was a fascinating few hours. Standing by the granite slab with his name and dates still stay with me as well as the inscription Bula Matari (mover of great mountains/rocks). Like him or loathe him he is a person with history good, bad or indifferent and I think he should be remembered in some way.
Thu Jan 22 08:10:12 2009
Stanley's in Africa
I am writing from Namibia in Africa. I have been told that I am related to HM Stanley, hence my surname Stanley. We have lost track of our ancesters as my grandfather and his two brothers have already passed on. They are all buried in Botswana. My father was born in Botswana but grew up in Namibia. I deduce that my grandfather fled from Namibia with the Ovahereros during the 2nd world war. Would love to hear from anyone who can help me construct the Stanley family tree.
Mon Nov 3 08:36:59 2008
Frances Gooding, Weston-Super-Mare
It is my belief that my grandmother was a relative of HMS' mother. Although my family name is Rowlands the connection is on Elizabth Parry's side. Can any help me connect me to HMS please?
Sun Sep 28 10:45:17 2008
Peter, Flint
HMS was not all he cracked himself up to be. He was a great self-publicist. I suggest those wanting the full story should avail themselves of a copy of Mr. Stanley I Presume by Alan Gallop, ISBN 0 7509 3093 4, Published by Sutton in 2004 to mark the centenary of Morton's death. THE DICTIONARY OF WELSH BIOGRAPHY States: Recent research has revealed the complexity of Stanley's personality and has cast doubt on many biographical details. See Emyr Wyn Jones, Sir Henry M. Stanley: the enigma (1989); Henry M. Stanley, pentewyn tân a'i gymhlethdod phaetonaidd (1992); Flintshire Hist. Soc., 33 (on the Schoolmaster, James Francis); Y Traethodydd, 1991 (on Cadwalader Rowlands); NLWJ 28 (on his presumed father); Richard Hall, Stanley: an adventurer explored (1974).
Tue Sep 23 08:08:11 2008
Joseph Williams, Helena, MT
Mrs. Hughes - Chester
Joseph Roberts, mason, b. 1801, Denbigh m. Catherine Lewis, b. 1807. Their children were Lewis, b. c.1834; Unice, b. 9 Apr 1835; Lydia, b. 1841; Elizabeth, b. 1847 and Jane, b. 1850.
Unice, m. William Williams, 1 May 1858. William was s/o Williams [1805-1890] and Alice Parry, b. 23 Feb 1805, Llewesog, Denbigh d/o John Parry & Margaret Jones of Groessford.
John Parry was a brother of Moses Parry whose son Moses, Jr. was the father of Elizabeth Parry, mother of John Rowlands.
In 1869 William Williams, a master miller, immigrated to Wisconsin. Within a year his family joined him accompanied by Unice's sister, Jane who m. William E. Hughes [1849-1913].
Permission is granted to BBC to provide my e-mail address to you should you wish to contact me.
Mon Sep 22 08:10:56 2008
Henry
This is ridiculous, this guy was a coloniser and you people are making him a hero.
Tue Sep 16 08:35:05 2008
Joseph Williams from Helena, MT, USA
The National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography includes a biography of Henry Morton Stanley AKA John Rowlands. Page 3 discusses the complexity of Stanley's personality. Anyone interested in HMS early life may read "Chapter 5. The Workhouse Rebel" of Richard Hall's book, "Stanley: An Adventurer Explored" published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1975.
Mon Jun 9 08:28:59 2008
Henry from USA
I am trying to authenticate whether a particular 64 cal., double barrelled rifle formerly belonged to Henry Morton Stanley. The gun was on display in a museum at Amherst College, Amherst, MA, USA, for many years. It was supposedly made by gunsmith Leonard T. Farnworth, a friend of Stanley's, around 1873. The gun is built on "Maynard" frame and takes the 1873 Maynard self priming cartridge. The story goes that the gun was returned to the Farnsworth family following the death of Mr Stanley. Please let me know if anyone has any information about this or how to go about verifying the gun's fascinating oral history. Thank you.
Tue Mar 11 09:37:56 2008
Olwen Rees, Abbotsford, Canada
Peggy Somers, Hertfordshire. I think we are first cousins. My father was Thomas Rowlands, grandparents David & Jane Rowlands of Treharris. From early childhood I was told H.M. Stanley was an uncle of grandfather, who was from Denbigh. N. Wales. Contact me any time.
Mon Feb 4 10:16:14 2008
Kathleen Rowland, Mattoon IL
We have been told my husband's great grandfather, Thomas Owen Rowland, born in Denbigh, was a first cousin to Stanley. He also came to the US when young and was a bit of an adventurer himself. First settled in Pennsylvania, and set out when a teen to seek gold in California. Story has it he traveled by ship, intending to round Cape Horn and travel on to California. Instead, he left the ship at the Isthmus of Panama crossed it by foot, then caught another ship north, finally reaching California, where he sought gold, but found none. He started making his way back to Pennsylvania over land, stopping for periods along the way where we are told he spent time working with the US Army as an Indian interpreter. He never made it back to Pennsylvania, but settled in Iowa in or around Johnson County and Marion County. Would certainly like to know more about him and if he truly was a cousin to Stanley, as was noted in his obituary.
Mon Jan 21 09:23:13 2008
Junko Salmon, USA
I never knew Henry Stanley was a Welshman! I always thought he was an American journalist. Thanks for the information.
Thu Jan 10 08:33:50 2008
Paul Vicary, Hereford
I have been told through my family that Sir Henry Stanley was my great, great grandfather? I am very interested in the family tree, his acheivements, his character and how inspirational he was. If anyone has any information, linking either the Vicary or Beal-Toms family name, I would be greatly interested. Can anyone help?
Wed Jan 2 10:07:50 2008
Jenny Parker, Llangollen
My grandmother was called Betty Rowlands and we believe that Henry Stanley was something like her great great great grandfather's son. I would be grateful for more information. My uncle Mr Rowlands bought a pocket watch and a desk in an auction that belonged to him.
Mon Nov 12 08:56:52 2007
Robert Rowland Crutchley, Bath
I was told by my maternal grandfather that his great uncle was John Rowland(s). My grandfather was William Rowland and believed that the either there was no S at the end of the surname or it may have been dropped at a later stage. Does anyone know if he had any brothers?
Mon Oct 22 08:20:10 2007
Jan from Oldham
Mrs Burton New Zealand, I've sent you 3 emails but not sure if they are getting to you. Jan
Mon Jul 2 08:46:22 2007
John Rendall, now from Coventry
My grandmother, Margret Martha Hook (nee Compton) was a maid to Lady Stanley. My gran left her service to get married to a local police man who had just been promoted to the village Sergent at Southgate, Nth London. His service number was no 59 and he was co-incidentally allocated house number 59 in Hood Avenue, where my mother (his youngest daughter) still lives. Reportedly Lady Stanley was upset to lose her maid, and said "As you're getting married, I suppose I had better give you a present". My gran chose a silver egg boiler, in the shape of a large egg, with a spirit burner beneath to boil the water. That's still in the family, my cousin's first daughter inherited it as she shares the same birthday as my gran had. Anyway, my question is, do you have any information about where Lord and Lady Stanley lived in London, please? I have a feeling that Thomas Lipton House was mentioned in passing at some stage. Thanks.
Thu Jun 21 08:31:04 2007
Jan from Oldham
Mrs Burton New Zealand. Thank you for your information. I will have to plan a visit to Wrexham Library. I'd like to keep in touch. You have given me info that I have not read about and would like to discuss this some more. My email address is info@thekitchenfitter.com
Fri Jun 15 13:51:33 2007
Mrs Burton New Zealand
Dear Jan, Oldham. If you can get to or contact Wrexham Library they have copies of newspaper articles written about John Evans and the disaster. A full account of the flooding of Pentre-fron written by Thomas Evans, Awdy, appeared in Goleuad Gwynnedd November 1918. There was also a poem written about the disaster. The library also has articles written in the Leader 1981 about John Evans. I know very little about Mary Jane Rowlands (nee Evans) except that she was known in the district as Mrs Rowlands, the nurse. She may have been a midwife. John Evans never went down the pits again. As far as we know the miners collected money together and bought him a horse and trap which he and his wife used to take people to Wrexham Market.
Wed Jun 13 12:03:10 2007
Jan, Oldham
Mrs Burton I am researching Mary Jane Rowlands and John Evans. Please can you tell me do you have any further information.
Fri Jun 8 09:37:25 2007
William Richard Morton Stanley
As I have said before, I am the great grandson of sir Henry Morton Stanley. I am very interested to hear from anyone who has any information on him. I am hoping to follow in his footsteps across Africa and any information will be much appreciated.
Mon May 21 11:05:45 2007
Lavinda Tralalinda, Kinshasa
Can anybody write me a few sentences describing HM Stanley's personality or CHARACTER? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thu Apr 19 08:11:25 2007
Mrs. P Burton New Zealand
Mary Jane Evans the daughter of John Evans married Thomas Rowlands a Bell ringer. Thomas Rowland's mother looked after Henry Morton Stanley.
Wed Apr 4 09:44:33 2007
Joseph Williams, Helena, MT, USA
To Elen Jones: I don't know the name of the people with whom John Rowlands lived after his great grandfather, Moses Parry, Sr.[1769-1846] died. According to Hall, the arrangement lasted only a few months until Feb 1847 when HMS entered St. Asaph Union Working House. Moses Parry, Jr. {1799- ?] married Elizabeth Roberts who d. shortly after her last child, Elizabeth Parry was b. 30 Dec 1820. Mary Parry, of Tremerirdhion, sister of Moses, Jr. m. David Owen. She was the mother of Moses Owen, cousin of John Rowlands, who operated a National School and briefly employed John Rowlands. Mary or David Owen may be the ancestor of Simon Evans from Malvern whose message of 5 Feb 2007 also appears on this forum.
Thu Mar 29 08:19:29 2007
Elen Jones
Question for Joseph Williams, Helena, MT USA: Do you know where and with whom John Rowlands boarded between the summer of 1846 & 1847 when he was left at St Asaph's Union Work House? My late father spoke of Stanley lodging with his family in the Denbigh area for a short period of time.
Wed Mar 28 08:35:30 2007
Daffodil and Rose
I am not related to Stanley, but one of my relatives was engaged to him. Katherine Gough Roberts, born 1850 daughter of a barrister on Vale Street received letters from him when he was in Africa, then letters stopped coming, whether intercepted, who knows? The letters were auctioned at Christies about 20 years ago for about £12000. Katie's father was my great great grandfather, I think. Who sold the letters? Do any of you from Denbigh know any more about this?
Tue Mar 20 13:54:41 2007
Alan, Newcastle upon Tyne
I have recently bought a Victorian photo album. It has a photo of Henry Morton Stanley among the family photos in it. I wonder if he or his wife had relations in the North East of England?
Mon Mar 19 08:34:57 2007
William Richard Morton Stanley
Henry Morton Stanley is my Great Grandfather. I have recently climbed Mt Stanley in Uganda, where I proposed to my wife.
Mon Mar 12 09:59:26 2007
Evelyn Vaughan from Manchester
Having heard the Book of the Week on Stanley, I was intrigued to know he was grandson of Moses Parry of Denbigh. In 1851 my great grandfather Edward Roberts, who became a master butcher, was a servant of the Moses Parry, butcher, aged 34, who lived on Castle Hill. According to the information on this page he was obviously not the father of Elizabeth, but was he an elder brother? I am told that that one of Edward's grandsons bought the business from the descendents of this Moses Parry.
Tue Mar 6 08:30:59 2007
Simon Evans from Malvern
My mother has a painting of John Rowlands, who was, I think, HM Stanley's grandfather...family legend has it that we are related to the Rowlands family in some way. The surname of my ancestors who lived in the Denbigh area was Owen or Owens, though I cannot find an actual link. If anyone can shed any light on this I would be most interested.
Mon Feb 5 12:22:40 2007
Delyth Clark, Abergavenny
Re the description of Stanley's meeting with Livingstone, surely the word 'infamous' is incorrect, meaning as it does 'having a very bad reputation, publicly declared guilty, notoriously vile, disgraceful'! (I'm a recent patient at HM Stanley hospital, formerly the workhouse).
Mon Jan 29 10:05:39 2007
Glynis Hughes, Denbigh
Sally Hughes - I believe I am also related to HM Stanley on my Taid's side of the family. My Taid (great grandfather)is William Hughes. I have just begun this search in a "family history" session in Denbigh College. Please contact me (student) through Denbigh Community College, Denbigh, Wales.
Tue Oct 17 08:13:46 2006
Joseph Williams, Helena, MT USA
John Rowlands [1841-1904] b. Denbigh, was christened at St. Hilary's Church, Denbigh, the son of Elizabeth Parry & enigamatic father. Although John Rowlands accepted paternity the Vaughan Horne legend survives. Elizabeth Parry, b. 30 Dec 1820 as recorded in Swan Lane Chapel, Denbigh, was daughter of Moses Parry and Elizabeth Roberts. Moses, b. 1799 s/o Moses Parry & Ann Parry (cousins) who were living at Plas Pigot. Elizabeth (Roberts) Parry d. young and her daughtere was reared in the family household. Financial reverses caused the Parry family to leave Plas Pigot. Moses, Jr. operated a slaughterhouse business near Denbigh Castle and lived in a white cottage on the castle green with his father and other members of his family. Moses, Sr. lived on the second floor with his grandson, John Rowlands, until he d. in the summer of 1846. Soon after John Rowlands was boarded nearby & 1847 John was left at St. Asaphs Union Work House. The rest is history.
Moses Pary, Sr. was a brother of John Parry of Groesfford, my g3 grandfather whose daughter Alice Parry m. William Williams [1805-1890]. Questions welcomed.
Wed Sep 27 07:50:34 2006
Zanzibarian, NY
I have ties to Stanley through my mother. My grandfather was also in Tanzania, a Stanley as well, died in the early 70s and buried in Tanzania. I'd like to find more information on this family tree. If anybody has a detailed family tree of the Stanley family and can help me locate all descendants, please post it here or e-mail me. Thank you.
Wed Aug 16 09:07:07 2006
Mrs Hughes - Chester
I believe that my family are related to Stanley on his mothers side, my family name is Parry and they originate from the Denbigh area. We understand from the tales that have gone from generation to generation that his mother was not married when she had John Rowlands. I am in the process of tracing my family tree at present and any information would be of help.
Sun Mar 19 17:17:45 2006
georgia alexandra stanley fendley, London
my grandfather, Walter Stanley Badger was born in 1907 in Cardiff and is related to Stanley (was his uncle or great uncle?) both of my grandparents are alive and living in Cardiff and the family bible details our ancestors from 1800's. My grandfathers family were originally from Wiltshire. I'm the third generation with Stanley as a middle name!
Mon Jan 16 21:41:04 2006
Graham Gibbs, nr Chester
Stanley is a relative of my wife whose maiden name is Rowlands. A cousin of her's owns his desk and pocket watch.
Thu Aug 11 14:20:21 2005
John Gardner, Wiltshire
John Rowlands as far as I am aware is my gr gr gr uncle. As I continue to research this information I would be grateful if anyone could assist in filling in the many blanks there seem to be in the family tree.
Fri Aug 5 20:32:09 2005
Sally Hughes
I believe I am related to Stanley on my Mother's side. I am researching my family tree, and live near Denbigh, where John Rowlands was born. If you have any more information regarding his relatives, I would be most grateful.
Wed Feb 9 15:39:03 2005
How should the region's infamous son be remembered?
Little had been heard of Scotsman Livingstone since he left for Africa in 1866 to try to find the source of the Nile. Having set out to find him with a force of nearly 2000 men, Stanley found the ailing Livingstone on November 10th 1871, in Ujiji near Lake Tanganyika, greeting him with the now infamous words "Doctor Livingstone, I presume?" 
