Owen was born in Aberffraw, Anglesey, in 1835 and died in 1913 at Barrett, Kansas.
Bryan Jones of Old Colwyn, pictured above is a descendant of the family and has passed on the diary Jacob kept of the trip. It paints a vivid picture of the times. The diary shows how he admired the attractions of Wales, despite encounters with fleas, the Welsh language, toothless barmaids and interminable rain.
Thanks to the descendants of Owen R in Barratt, Kansas, for allowing us to publish Jacob's diary.
Just click on one of the links below to find out about Jacob's experiences on his journey from Kansas to North Wales.
Kansas to the Big Apple
Aboard the Mauritania
First impressions of Wales
Travels around Anglesey
Cycling around 'the loop'
On the train to Blaenau Ffestiniog
A grand tour of London
Over the Strait to Beaumaris
Rambles and the rain
Snowdon at daybreak
Homeward bound
your comments
Bryan Jones
A family member in Lawrence Kansas has a postcard addressed to Archie Jones Frankfort, sent by Will J Jones after a voyage back to Bangor North Wales dated about 1912. They had a good journey and weren't seasick.
Wed Feb 11 11:15:59 2009
rodney jones from south dakota
I may be wrong but my grandfather -William J Jones came over on the shipBaltic in 1910 and was going to the Owen Jones farm in Barrett, Kansas. Iwas hoping to make a connection.
Tue Feb 3 09:21:09 2009
G Barrett
I've heard of a Kansas town named "Barrett", but not one called "Barratt".
Wed Aug 20 09:28:49 2008
Jane Vickers, Australia
I was absolutely stunned to come across this site and mention of my maternal grandfather, Emyr Humphreys (note not Humphries). He ran the tea shop in Upper Bangor and was a brilliant pianist and organist who played in Bangor Cathedral (where I was christened) and also on the old naval training ship "The Conway" moored in the Menai Straits until it burnt down. He used to tell stories of how he was hoisted aboard the Conway like a sack of potatoes if the sea was rough!!
Thu Mar 29 09:26:10 2007
Robin Roberts
So very interesting, the internet has created a very small world! I believe I am a distant descendent of Jacob. To follow the family tree further down, working up from me, i can climb the tree as follows: my father (Wayne Roberts, Westmoreland, ks), son of Harold and Bertha (Jones) Roberts (Westmoreland, ks). I don't know the details beyond this but i would love to be able to fill in the blanks. My mom and dad (Wayne and Judy) will accompany my aunt and uncle (Dixie and Leon) to visit Bryan this spring. I hope to learn more upon their return.
Thu Mar 8 09:32:06 2007
Bryan Jones
Heather. -
Glad you enjoyed Jacob's diary. Jacob was born in 1884 at Barratt, Kansas. He graduated BS at Kansas University and an MS at Cornell's University. Married 1914. Defence work during WWI at a place called Nitro, West Virginia. Professor and acting Dean of Engineering, Kansas University,Lawrence. He retired in 1955.
Mon Jan 8 09:50:20 2007
Heather Rouse (nee Jones), Vancouver
What a pleasure to read Jacob's diary. Am curious to know what age was Jacob in 1909? My father was born in Tregarth in 1910. The diary really helped me to picture day to day life in the area at that time. Thank you BBC - best website in the world!
Wed Jan 3 10:13:24 2007
Becky, Melin
I'm quite young but I found Jacob's diary quite interesting and being Welsh myself, I'm proud to hear that he enjoyed his trip.
Mon Feb 28 18:26:12 2005
In the Summer of 1909 Jacob O Jones travelled from America to Britain on the Mauritania with his father, Owen R Jones, to visit their family in Wales.
