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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Topic started by: Shropshire Lass on Sunday 23 August 09 23:11 BST (UK)
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These are occupations from the 1911 census - could someone translate for me, please?
"GWEITHIWR AR YR HEOL" and "MERWYN FFERM"
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GWEITHIWR means worker HEOL is road so think AR YR is on the,
FFERM is farm maybe Merwyn is the name of it?
hopefully someone with a LOT more knowledge of Welsh will tell you better lol
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Thanks - I was thinking along the lines of Roadman. It's a job that seems to run in the family.
I wondered if Merwyn could be Servant or Maid?
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I have lived in Wales for over 20 years and have a degree in Welsh History.
I believe the occupation translates as Road Worker and Merwyn Fferm is either the address (Merwyn Farm) of the household or the area where the household live.
In 1911 it would not be uncommon for some members of a farming family to be following other trades, instead of, or as well as farming.
The heavy industries and ancilliary work provided a more reliable income than farming.
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Are you sure it's merwyn and not morwyn? If the latter it would be "farm maid."
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bevbev - I've only got the transcription of this one so I can't see the writing but as it's in the occupation column, I'm guessing you're right. Many thanks to all.
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I'd go for "Morwyn Fferm" = Farm Maid, and "Gweithiwr ar y Heol" as Road Worker.
If Merwyn was the name of the farm, it would be Fferm Merwyn (and not be in the occupation column...)