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| Take them with a pinch of salt but fascinating nevertheless! |
| Did you know ? |
| Welsh claim on first car...? In 1805 Oliver Evans, American of Welsh descent drove his steam powered digging machine to work! - Not only the first automobile but a company car too! - The hook to hang his jacket on came a lot later :-) |
| Declaration of Independence! The largest ethnic group of signatories (16 in all) on the original draft of the American Declaration of Independence were Welsh! Thomas Jeffersons' family who came from Snowdonia spoke Welsh too! |
| Manhattan connection! Descendants of the West Wales adventurer Robert Edwards fight it out in court to prove their ownership of Wall Street, the world famous financial centre at the heart of New York where the World Trade Centre was brutally attacked on September 11th 2001. |
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| The Edwards family claim when the property; pasture land at the time, was leased to the brothers 'Kruger' the terms stated the lease would expire in about 100 years. The Kruger brothers in turn allowed the Catholic church to use the land as it saw fit. The church has controlled the land since, building on it themselves and renting to other parties too, hence the Manhattan we know today. The rent for this use is stored in a vault in Manhattan itself, now estimated at over $800,000000,00! Robert Edwards died childless, leaving his property to his sister in Wales and her decedents who are estimated now to number some 3000. If they win that means a payout of over $26m EACH! |
| America named after Welsh entrepreneur! Richard Amerik was a Welshman based in Bristol as a British customs official (there were lots of taffs in Bristol in the 15th century). Amerik invested in the explorations of John Cabot, who arrived in the 'New World' in 1497, becoming the first recorded European to do so. This predates the Amerigo Vespucci claim. The name "Amerik" would have appeared on maps and documents used by these early adventurers, those used by Vespucci too. The custom of naming a place after the discoverers surname means that if the 'New World' had really been named after Amerigo Vespucci it should now be known as 'Vespucciland' or something similar! Ole' Ma Garibaldi Apparently, the Italian leader Garibaldi was partly Welsh. It seems his grandmother was from the village of Cerrig y Drudion. Yorks' Penn friend... The Duke of York gave Penn (who was more Irish than Welsh) the parcel of land now known as Pennsylvania as payment for a debt he owed his father, the Admiral Penn. William Penn wanted to name it 'New Wales' but by the time he got his act together his secretary (another Taff) had called it 'Pennsylvania' - the local, newly established Welsh community were already calling it 'pen this and pen that'. Welsh Elvis debate continues... Many people now believe the great (greatest?) rock & roll singer to swell his lungs on the planet Earth, the one and only Elvis Presley, may be of Welsh descent. The surname Presley actually comes from the world Preseli - a chain of mountains in mid-Wales! And to make the story more believable there is an ancient Celtic church in the area called St Elvis's Church! An apple a day? We all know of the old proverb 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' - well it's thought to have originated in Pembrokeshire. Another form is 'Eat an apple before your bed and keep the doctor from his bread'. Keep the fires burning... The word 'glow' is from the Welsh 'glo' meaning coal. Ghostly canine for best seller... The Hound of the Baskervilles may be based on a Mid Wales tale of a ghostly canine. And There is a Baskerville Hall near Brecon. One reader said "Conan Doyle wrote "Hound" when he stayed there but the family didn't want loads of tourists so he set it on Dartmoor. The family crest above the door is a great hound |
| WELSH ROOTS,some may suprise you,some may not. How many of you when asked to name some famous Welsh folk can only remember Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Burton ?. Think thats all there is ?, Then try this list. |
| Samuel Adams Signer of the American Declaration of Independance and co-founder of Harvard University. Welsh descent John Quincy Adams Sixth president of the USA, son of John Adams second president Welsh Descent Aneurin Bevan Former Labour MP and Governmnt Minister - father of the NHS Born in Wales James Callaghan British Prime Minister MP for Cardiff Martha Hughes Cannon A pioneer in Women & Children's medicine, the State of Utah's Health Departmnt is named in her honour. Born in Wales family from Llanddoged near Llanrwst Hilary Clinton She was America's first lady as she is married to the previous president, Bill Clinton. of Welsh descent Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate states, defeated in the American civil war. Welsh-parentage American. Andrew J. Evans Jr. Major General, USAF. Ace fighter pilot in WWII. Highest ranking pow in Korean War. Father was Welsh. Samuel Evans Sir Was Attorney general in Lloyd George government. Born near Llanelli. David Lloyd George Former Liberal MP and Prime Minister Born in Manchester in 1863 but was briught up in the Cricieth area. He has many decendents still living in the area. Julia Gillard The new Opposition spokesperson for Immigration in the Australian federal parliament Born in Wales Al Gore Democrat Presidential candidate, controversially "defeated" by George W Bush. (And relative of writer Gore Vidal) American of Welsh descent. Michael Heseltine Senior minister in Thatchers Britain born Swansea 1933 Michael Howard Home Secretary in John Major's conservative government. From Gorseinon, Wales. William Morris Hughes Prime Minister of Australia 1915-1923 Born in Llandudno Charles Evans Hughes Legendary early US supreme court justice Welsh descendancy Edward II Edward of Caernarvon (as his contemporaries knew him) was the first heir to the England and Wales throne to be styled "Prince of Wales" Born in Caernarfon Castle Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, the son of a man from the Snowdon foothills. Samuel Milton Jones Inventor, writer and Mayor of Toledo, Ohio, USA. Born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales. John Percival Jones 30 years in the US senate Born in Hay, Wales John Paul Jones the father of the American Navy welsh descent Robert E Lee Commander of the Confederate armies. Of Welsh Descent John Llewelyn Lewis Considered one of America's greatest Labor leaders in the 1930's and 40's rising from humble beginnings to become leader of the powerful UMW (United Mine Workers). He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian decoration by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 Born in Iowa, USA, to Welsh immigrant parents Abraham Lincoln President of the USA. Perhaps the greatest stateman to grace the American political theatre. Maternal grandparents were called Morris from Ysbyty Ifan, North Wales J Ramsey MacDonald British Prime Minister MP for Aberafon 1922-1929 Captain Sir Henry Morgan Governor of Jamacia, most successful 'Freebooter' of all. Born in Llanrhymney,Glamorgan. Llewellyn Thompson US Ambassador under at least 4 American Presidents; Advisor to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon Welsh Descent George Washington American president grandparents were Welsh Michael Ball Love Changes Everything - Aspects of Love. Les Miserables (Original Marius) and Phantom of the Opera are his numerous musicals - 7 solo albums to his name. Also Eurovision 1992 - One step out of Time. His Mother Ruth is Welsh Shirley Bassey Her family moved to Splott when Shirley was a mere toddler. Born in Bute Street in the Bute Town area of Cardiff Andy Bell Bassist for Oasis born in Cardiff, Wales Cilla Black Many UK TV appearances, hosts UK version of Blind Date. Major Chart success with Singer - Step inside love hit single. Welsh granparent. David Bowie Famous distinctive and influential pop-rock star. Welsh parentage (born David Jones) James Dean Bradfield from the massive welsh band Manic Street Preachers from blackwood Johnny Buckland Guitarist with top British band Coldplay. He helped form the band when he was at the University College London. From Mold, North Wales Stuart Cable Drummer with Stereophonics and now a chat show Presenter on BBC2W. from Cwmaman, South Wales Phil Campbell Guitarist in Motorhead Born and lives in South Wales Charlotte Church Top selling classical artist. 3 hit albums: Voice of an Angel, Charlotte Church, Dream a Dream Born in Wales, resides in LLandaff, Cardiff. Petula Clark Top Ten hit with Downtown and many more. Also the film " The Happiness of 3 women" written by Einon Evans from Nelson. The film premiered at the Cozy Cinema in Nelson. Born in Abercanaid, just outside Mertyr Tydfil. Had an aunt Mrs. Davies who lived in the top house of High St. Nelson Nr. Treharris Sheryl Crowe Singer, ex-girlfriend of Eric Clapton. of Welsh descent (maternal side) Spencer Davis Guitarist, singer, songwriter, Formedone of the most influential rock groups of the 60s "The Spencer Davis Group" Born in West Cross, Swansea Richey Edwards lyricist, manic street preachers born in blackwood Rolf Harris Massive pop hit in 60's with 'Two little Boys' - Regular TV apearances. Parents were from Methyr Tydfil. Father owned an Art shop (in Methyr!) Mary Hopkin Had a number 1 hit record in 1968 with "Those Were The Days", had many more afer that and has continued to record and produce great music from Ystradgynlais Olivia Newton John Greece the Film alongside John Travolta - Big hit with 'Country Roads'. Father was Welsh. Granparents Ivor John and Daisy Newton ( ie were the Newton in Newton John comes from) Lived in Cardiff's Docklands in Lowden Square. Daisy Newton's family ran a pub there. Her Father became a college professor at Oxford/Cambridge, Tom Jones Tom performed Mama Told me not to come with the stereophonics on his album reload. He appears in the hit movie MARS ATTACKS with Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Michael J fox and lots more. He was born in pontypridd Aled Jones Choirboy (charted with "walking in the air"). Musicals, radio presenter From Ynys Mon Lisa Scott Lee Part of the ex pop group Steps. Who had 15 top 5 singles and sold 12 million albums world wide. Probably most famous for "Tragedy" and "Chain Reaction". Born in wales, has Welsh parents. Andy Fairweather Low Born in Ystrad Mynach on 2nd August 1948 Bob Marley Major musical inluence of the late 1970's and 80's. Hits include: No woman no cry, I shot the sherif and redemption song. Father, army Captain Norval Marley was from Prestatyn, attached to the British West Indian regiment in Jamaica Cerys Matthews Volcaist with massive Welsh rock group Catatonia Attended Brynymor Welsh medium school in Swansea and St Michael's private school in Llanelli. Father was an orthopaedic surgeon at Morriston hospital. Dannii Minogue Singing, TV presenting, acting, modelling. Mother, Carol, comes from Maesteg Kylie Minogue String of UK Hits, appeared in Ausi soap Neighbours for years, so did sister Dannii. Mother from Maetaeg Ivor Novello Renowned composer Born in Cardiff Randy Owen Bassist in Country/rock band Alabama Welsh descent Keith Richards The Rolling Stones Welsh Father Sir Harry Secombe Many UK TV appearances, one of the original Goons. Great Singer. Swansea born Shakin Stevens great rock and roll singer born 4th march 1948 in ely cardiff Conway Twitty Country music singer/songwriter Welsh Parents Bonnie Tyler Lost in France and total eclipse of the heart hit singles from Skewen Ricky Valance No 1 hit in early 60's with 'Tell Laura I Love Her' Born in South Wales Hank Williams Famous American country music star. Welsh parentage Rupert Bear Popular bear who had many fantasy adventures. Lived in Beddgelert, Snowdonia (as did his creator Alfred Bestall). The local landscapes feature in his books. Richard Burton Featured in films such as:Cleopatra, The Robe, The Exorcist II and many many more. Renown for his relationship with Elizabeth Taylor although he was married with children when they met. Changed his name from Jenkins to Burton, his teachers name. born in Pontrhydyfen (Near Pt. Talbot) Elwyn Jones, Author of this web site,,well !!!, YOU know me !!! |
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| So, were there any suprises, bet there were. Although this list is in no way complete, at least now when asked to name someone famous from Wales, you wont have to say "TOM" !,, |
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