My father left Wales in 1947 for the last time. I'm sure he would have loved to return to his Welsh Romany family. However it did not work out that way, and over the years he lost touch with the family in Wales.
Two years after his death, my wife and I made the long flight from New Zealand to the UK. I was to turn fifty years of age whilst in the UK.
It was hard work finding relatives, as most of them - through no fault of their own - had very little writing and reading ability. It was only through an unrelated person, who read an advert placed by me in the local Newport paper, that contact was made.
On meeting my family, my second cousin, who was then in his seventies, took my wife and I around Newport showing us the fields on the east side of the Usk - now sports fields.
Once called the 'Travellers Rest', in pre-Second World War days it had been a big camp for the Romany folk - my family included. However, due to war the 'Travellers Rest' was closed down by Newport officials, and most of the Travelling folk settled into houses - many, as with my family, for the very first time.
My grandfather had travelled throughout Wales, England and Scotland doing cutlery grinding, buying and selling horses, and any work the family could get while living the travelling life.
My grandmother and aunties would sell from door to door - mostly wooden pegs and flowers and the like.
On settling in Newport, Grandfather became a marine store dealer - a scrap yard in simple terms. The old building and grounds were on the Eastern banks of the Usk just opposite to Newport town.
According to my second cousin, Grandfather did very well in the scrap trade and the family were well cared for. As a young man, my father would help Grandfather breaking and sorting the different metals. It was hard and dirty work.
My grandfather passed away in 1945 and Father was at sea by then in the British Merchant Marine.
In 1999, all those years gone by, we were taken to the old building where my grandfather had his marine store. I can tell you it was a strange and moving experience for us. I could almost see and hear my grandfather and my father working away on the scrap metal. Just in time too, for shortly after our visit the old building was torn down.
A CD of Romani folk songs performed by Bob Lovell is available from www.valleystream.co.uk
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your comments
Lalanya Nicoles, Florida, USA I was given up for adoption in 1972 in Chicago. My grandmother's maiden name was Lovell (Patrica Lovell Married Harold Frederick) and she knew my birth parents but it was all very hush hush. I know my birth family was large. Buy the time I was born I already and 10 aunts and uncles. If this sounds familiar to anyone please let me know.
Lee Scott from London I'm descended from the Lovell Roma family from London - maybe we're distant relatives.
Pat Ammundsen, Liverpool I am trying to trace the Romany roots in my stepdaughter's family. Her grandparents were Nicholls from Mitcham and the woman was a Lovell (Alice Maud before marriage).
Huw from Swansea Hi Bob I think you are my cousin - my mother is Florence Rhona Bennett and her sisters are Ruby and Thorna and Shirley. They say that I look the same as her dad but have never seen him. I would love to hear from you as I do not know a lot about our side of the family but they say I have the gypsy blood - I have jet black hair.
Kenny from Ireland Hi Bob, great info thanks. Just trying to research my partner's family for him. We don't have much to go on and not even sure if his roots are Romany? His grandfather was a Fredrick Lovell and a "rag & bone" man from Cardiff. Born around the 20's and worked as a scrap man in Cardiff until the 60's. He has memories of an uncle riding bareback in the streets of Cardiff though unfortunately, the family don't talk much about their heritage, fairly closed book. Lots of names, Henry Lovell (died in World War One), there was a John, Kenny and lots of other cousins, uncles etc. Would love to hear from you to see if there is any link.
Mandy, North Wales Hi - thanks for the reply. I don't really have much info and don't really know how to go about finding out. My grandfather married Annie-Jane and my great-grandfather married a Jane.
Bob Lovell Hi from NZ, Mandy - there are some John's in the family tree. Do you know who your grandfathers were married to? That would tell us enough. You may also be from the North Welsh Lovells (Romani) who are cousins to our lot in South Wales. Are there any Lees, Burtons, or Boswells in your family line? If so, that's South Wales Lovells, but if you have Taylors in your line most likely North Wales (Romani) Lovells. However in the end both lots are related away back. Bokt - luck to you.
Mandy Jones (Lovell) I would love to know if your family were connected to mine who were originally Gypsies. My grandfather and greatgrandfather were both John Lovell and were local fishermen. A picture of them both exists in Caernarfon museum.
Bob Lovell, New Zealand To the South East Wales Team - Big thank you as I find another cousin I didn't know of. Without this page likely I would not have come to know my 2nd cousin - Allison. Bokt to you all.
Allison Sturge - Swansea, UK Hello Bob - I think you and I are cousins. My mother is Florence Rhona Bennett and her sisters are Ruby (who died) Thora and Shirley. I would dearly love to hear from you as this is all new to me.
Bob Lovell Hey! Juki Pral. Just saw your lil, kushti to hear from you on here, strange that you in USA & me in NZ, yet we both have strong bonds to the puro term. Ava! things have indeed changed for au lot, glad we can read & write don't you think?
Linda Barwick from Australia I have recently discovered that my great-great-grandmother was Welsh Romany. I believe her surname was Wigley. She married a non-Romany surnamed Thomas and their son my great-grandfather Thomas emigrated to Australia in the 1880s. If anyone has any information on Welsh Romany surnames I'd be very interested to find out more.
Juki (D.L. Carls) California, USA Kamulo prala, Very nice little piece there on your dadus and purodad. I have noticed whilst growing old that everything changes, but sadly, not always for the best. Sastipen, Tiro prala, Juki
Josie from Australia Hi Bob, I do not know anything about the Lovells in our family. I have no idea. Hit a brick wall I have. Regards Josie
Bob Lovell Hi Josie. I can go back to mid 18 hundreds with my family. The only Jane Lovell (Smith) married a G G G Uncle Joshia Lovell in the USA. are your people married into or are Romany. The surname Lovell was taken by our family in I think the 16th-17th centry, as they saved a Lord-Vice Count Lovell from being imprisoned, why? Many of the Old Romany families who came to England hundreds of years back took non Romany surnames. This was to gain some form of protection against racial Attack. Anyway there is the Gypsy Census of 1884-91 plus many other places to look up on. Kushti bokt (good luck) Bob Lovell NZ.
Josie Butterfield, Australia Hi - I am trying to trace a Jane Lovell. I think she would have been born about 1648 as she married in 1688 to a John Butterfield in Hertford,UK. Do you have any knowledge of this lady, perhaps in your tree. Thanks.
Bob Kamulo Lovell Hi Mick - Latcho Dives Pral, and thanks for the comment to my story. Yes!!! that sounds like my uncle Seth, He now lays in the Saint Woolos Cemertry in the same grave as my grandparents. I would like to hear from you if you don't mind.
Mick Aherne from Newport I wonder if you are related to Gypsy Seth Lovell, who I worked alongside during the building of Alway Primary School in 1950?
On meeting my family, my second cousin, who was then in his seventies, took my wife and I around Newport showing us the fields on the east side of the Usk - now sports fields.
My grandmother and aunties would sell from door to door - mostly wooden pegs and flowers and the like.
