An Ancestor's Heritage

       A nation's cultural and historical heritage can be developed by a variety of sources. Many reruns of a 1989 film titled, "Field of Dreams", has been classified as one such source for my American heritage. Its premise was, "If you build it, they will come". 

      For my Welsh ancestor's heritage, one premise might have been, "If you come, they will build it." Such was one of the cultural developments generated during the monistic movement among my Welsh kindred.  One only has to view any present day map or, to examine any gazetteer of Welsh place-names, to understand this premise. This was explained in the post dated November 28, 2022 titled, "Llan". The meaning and wide distribution of this word was examined.  It was noted that the term "Llan" was often attached to the name of the individual who had recognized the value of the monk and his teaching. This elder of the clan would provide an enclosed space and a home base for the monk. Thus, a church was established upon the family's land and, it became known as a church (Llan) upon the donor's name say (Carfan) as "Llancarfan". A classic Welsh text titled An Historical Atlas of Wales From Early To Modern Times by William Rees states on page 22: "The monastery with its revenue became the hereditary property of the family of the founder, one or other member usually exercised the priestly office". 

      The recounting of this information is given to help explain the significance that this cultural heritage had on the ability to complete my own Jones surname genealogy. Many times a brick wall was faced, and understanding this premise helped connect many ancestors to the family tree. Even beginning as far back as Ynyr frych (JC-3), the brother of Tudor Trevor (JC-1), and their mother Rhiengar (JB-2), the labels and descriptors attached to each individual are better understood. For example the word "frych" can be translated "younger" thus, Ynyr frych (JC-3) is most likely the little brother of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) and the son of Ynry (JB-1). He is described as "Abbot of Dore Abbey, in the Golden Valley, Herefordshire" in Dwnn, Vol. II, p. 307, and footnote 3. This helps connect his mother (JB-2) who is described as "Heir" to Hereford. The family connection is better understood recognizing the premise of hereditary property. Many times the question of how did Ynyr frych (JC-3) end up as Abbot in Hereford was asked? This Abbey is some distance south from the Vale of Dee, and how was this connected to the top of my family tree? Anyway, this premise worked for me.

      Now allow me to rerun the top of my Jones surname family tree through the window of my ancestor's heritage.

   P.S. In today's Welsh, Abbey Dore is written Abaty Deur and in the day of Dwnn (1846) it was written Abad Dor. You can now understand the cultural heritage of Ynyr frych (JC-3) is through his mother, Rhiengar (JB-2), and why he ended up at Hereford.