Aberavon, West Glamorgan

Family History

Can anyone help me with information for my family tree? My ancestors are William John Jones born 1851 in Cwmavon, Wales, he married Mary Bowen born 1853 in Wales. They left for Australia around 1874. William's parents were William Jones and Alice Jenkins (I think) born about 1820.

What a picturesque Valley.

Well, about 34 years ago, I used to work in Forge Road, Port Talbot; part of my work in the newspaper industry sent me checking on all newsagents in the Valley, through Cwmavon up passing Pontrhydyfen, Duffryn Rhondda, Cymmer and up to Abergwynfi; and then all the way back down. The forestry would seem to change a differnt shade of colour... [more]

Jersey Marine as I knew it,

I was born and bred at No 8 St Margaret's Avenue, in the box room. I, Alan Huxtable, had a wonderful time as a child, as Rebbeca, has said, who is my niece (my sister's girl). We got up to a lot of mistchief. I loved to go fishing a lot. With Raymond Bird, my good mate, we went and did... [more]

born and bred a jersey marine girl

There's alot to be said about Jersey Marine,it will always be home to me. I come from a well known family "Huxtable" and most of them are still there today. I've very fond memories of growing up there, climbing the many mountains, getting dirty from swimming in the canal, getting into trouble from my mother for going up to Stan Gorvett's... [more]

National Oil Refinery

I started work at the laboratory in the Llandarcy Oil Refinery in 1942 for the great weekly wage of one pound, one shilling and ninepence, when I was 16.
Mostly women worked in the lab but once the war was over the company only employed men. They did keep the women already employed there.

The village of Llandarcy was just... [more]

Neath - William Phillips family

I live in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. My relative, William Phillips was born in Neath and lived at 14 Company Street, Llantwit Fardre. He was a collier. He married 6/1875 Rachel Thomas (b.18/7/1852 Pontypridd Llaneth Verdre).In 1886 he and his family emigrated to Australia and settled in Stockton, NSW, a suburb of Newcastle. They had 9 children. He was a co-founder... [more]

Coffee and doughnuts

A friend from work, and I took courses at the Neath Technical Institute. I left Swansea about 7:30am, and had to run down Mount Pleasant to the bus station in order to get to the Institute. For lunch we walked up town to a little Italian cafe and had  a doughnut and coffee for lunch. After afternoon classes we went back... [more]