RootsChat.Com

Thanks ec. I will contact them.

Thanks folks. A picture of my mother's life before she came to Canada is beginning to come together. Its obvious I need to explore the Llewelyn/Wales connections more thoroughly and discover the real reasons why she was raised at Caswell Cottage. At present, my guess is that the Llewelyns were charitable and at one point they probably used Caswell Cottage to take in, educate and raise children who were inmates at workhouses nearby. When Joseph and/or Grace died (probably in the workhouse) my mother was taken by Gwendolyn Llewelyn to Caswell Cottage as my grand parents saw a better life for her there. Again, why the other children didn't get taken by Gwendolyn  is a mystery because it would be logical to not break up the family. Maybe Gwendolyn became my mother's god parent beside it might have been a requirement by law in those days. Anyways ...

Groovy stuff,
It;s comining together

Thanks
Roy
 

Throughout my life I had always expressed an interest in geneology but never did anything about researching it until I was well into my 60's. My family (I have six children) are interested but got no time (too busy being corporate slaves) so I am trying to put it all together.

My wife's father on the other hand wrote a book about their immigration adventures to Canada and pioneers settling on a farm  The book was only distributed amongst the family and close friends at the time of his death. We treasure it, and are inspired by it.

 

ec - Interestingly enough, my mother (Ivy) was taken in by her god parents (Llewelyns) and the others - according to my mother - , were sent to an orphanage.

When the others became 16 years old they were apparently released from the orphanage to fend for themselves. Joseph Herbert Johnson immigrated to Toronto Canada and later sent for my mother when she became sixteen. I have the Canadian and US history down pat (Joe immigrated to Los Angeles and worked for Warner Brothers Movie Co. as a cook etc.) My mother married my dad (he was a professional musician who played in Toronto and New York City, joined the army during 1st world war 1916-1919 etc. etc. ) So the story goes.

We are definitely an interesting bunch. If I can I will write a small biography about our lives and history if I can make some sense out of the research.

Thanks,
Roy

Wow you people are making such a great effort to help me in my quest. I am so grateful for this. I would never have been able to find the info you have. I have bookmarked the recommended sites and noted everything said here so that I may ponder over it at leisure.

I dont really have much more to offer by way of information except that I do have more photo's of people and places in and around Wales. Nothing from London. Its all a nagging mystery to me.

My fathers background is even worse. However, I will keep persisting and perhaps something will come to light as I ponder through the info and continue with my quest (the info about the workhouse seems likely and I will try to concentrate on that for awhile).

The majority of my family's historical  records are based in Canada, in and around Toronto where my parents are interned. I live in Calgary Alberta which is two thousand miles away. So these things are not easy to research.

Thanks again, if there is any help I can give to all of you in Canada I will be glad to oblige.

Regards,
Roy