Wednesday June 24 2006 was a very special day for Bob and Terry Hughes from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, a day they will never forget, or, for that matter, a day they thought would never ever take place.
Thanks go to the Bagillt History Club website, which Bob had emailed from his home in the USA, asking for any information on John Hughes for his family history project. He was Bob's great great grandfather who had run the Paris House shop, High Street, Bagillt, in the 1800s.
Proof of the existence of the shop was supplied to myself in the form of a picture of an old paper bag with 'John Hughes, Linen and Woollen Draper, Silk Mercer' on the front.
With help from friends I confirmed the shop did exist. Information and a photograph of the shop were emailed back to the USA.
Not only were Bob and Terry overjoyed, they informed me that they were booking a coaching holiday in the UK, of which the last three days would be spent touring north Wales. The nearest they would come to Bagillt was their two hour dinner stop in Chester en route to their hotel in Portmeirion. They wondered if they could visit their great great grandfather's home village from there?
Arrangements were made to pick them up at 11am on Wednesday in Chester and then to drive to Bagillt High Street, which proved very emotional. They took lots of photographs of where they shop had stood. There was just enough time to visit my house for tea and home made Welsh cakes before being rushed back to Chester with just five minutes to spare before the coach arrived. Exhausted and happy they boarded the coach to continue with their holiday.
your comments
Vicky Perfect
Colin you and I know now important history is and how important it is to keep it alive. People should take time to look into their family history and trace the links between one generation and another - you never know what you may find. KEEP DIGGING
Thu Mar 1 08:25:22 2007
Bob Hughes from Cape Cod, Mass. USA
When I emailed Bagillt,Wales.Com I never expected such a prompt and beautifully friendly response. Colin Sheen was THE LINK that we were searching for. He and the Bagillt History Club guided me all the way. I grew up in my grandparents' home. Spent a lot of time with my grandfather in the years 1934 to the mid 1940s. He passed away in 1945 or 1946...I continued to stay on with my grandmother until 1957. Needless to say my grandparents gave me a lot, a peaceful happy home and much love. Unfortunately my grandfather did not spend time talking about himself. All I knew was that he was born in a place called Wales. I do recall that he did try to teach me his Welsh language. I failed the course...amen. At the age of 72 I and my wife of almost 50 years got to see my great grandfather's store and where my grandfather lived. THANK YOU COLIN SHEEN...and thanks to to his wonderful wife Ferol for making us feel so welcome. On the day of our visit she welcomed us to her home as if we were part of the family. Tea, buns a few hugs were waiting for us. It was a beautiful day, a meaningful moment for Terry & I. We came away with a warm feeling about Wales and the beautiful people who live there. I am so proud to be a distant part of Wales. Needless to say we will try to return and this time we will stay longer and hopefully see Ferol & Colin again. God Bless you all. Bob & Terry.
Tue Jul 18 10:10:09 2006
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