Where in Wales are you searching for your ancestors? And have you found stories about them?

Diane J Seipert

As I am digging into my Welsh family in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, Wales, I often have more questions after I find an answer. Any descendants of Coal Miners? What have you found?

Cedar Kedar

@Diane J Seipert

Hi Diane,

This link might prove helpful: -

https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tutorials/welsh-family-history/

There is a link to Welsh Coal mine archives.

Cedar Kedar

@Diane J Seipert

In 1992 there was a Garden Festival in Ebbw Vale. You can google it to read about the very last garden festival held where there used to mines. I went with my sister-in-law. I do so wish digital cameras were around back then. It was wonderful and I met the lovely gentleman who wrote the following poem. I though you might like to read it.

THE VALLEY IS GREEN ONCE AGAIN

 

The valley is green once again:

Which prompts me to pick up my pen;

And just for the record scribble some note;

While the dust from the mine is still dry in some throats;

While some eyes are still wet with the pain and regret,

As they still count the cost, count the friends they have lost;

When reigning King Coal demanded his toll,

As they tore out the heart and the bowels of Gwent

To serve the past masters and pay off the rent

They scarred our dear valley with rope ways and tips

But at last, we’re seeing their total eclipse;

And they are greening the valley again.

 

Yes, they’re greening the valley again;

So come back to your nest little wren,

Bid the blackbirds and thrushes to all come along,

Tell the warblers and finches, and also the tomtits,

We’re planting them trees where they once had the pits;

And the nightingale too, why can’t she come along?

And sing us a grand all victorious song;

We’ll join in the chorus, and add an Amen;

For they’re starting to green our dear valley again.

 

Oh! I know the last shift was not easy my friend;

When you hung up your lamp and thought, “this is the end;”

When the last of the coal was washed down the drain,

When the locker door closed, not to open again;

Well, why not try to forget it my friend;

For no matter what journey, it someday must end;

And as sure as the rainbow follows the rain

So, the darkest of nights brings daylight again.

 

The last rites have been held, the headgear is felled,

And they’re filling the hole that has yielded the coal

From the veins that are spent in the bowels of Gwent:

But they’ll still cut their coal, and they’ll still clear their falls,

When they meet for a yarn in the pensioner halls.

But the trams will be filled with good humour

For no blood will be spilled and no tear will be shed,

Secure in the thought of the sky overhead;

And their valley is green once again.

 

And so, my friends as my stanzas end,

And I lay aside my pen;

Allow me to say, in a proud sort of way:

Down in that mine MEN WERE MEN

And retreat from that era

Our fond thoughts tinged with some pain

Let us view the future with faith and with hope;

For our valley is “GREEN ONCE AGAIN.”

 

TREVOR WILDE about the transformation of Ebbw Vale written about 1992

Cedar Kedar

@Diane J Seipert

Hi this video popped up when I was doing my usual search of YouTube for anything interesting about Wales. I know it's not about Wales but the situations would have been the same. I thought you might find it interesting. At one time women and children used to work down the pits and on the pit heads. I am so very grateful for not having to do that kind of work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D581TDHFpmE&t=79s

Darris Williams

Take a look at https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wales_Social_Life_and_Customs for stories about how people lived in Wales. The book by George Ewart Evans is especially good if you had miners in the family.