Rock Face

       Names given at birth often have a special meaning to those in the family. Some are names well known by all, such as my own great-grandfather, on my mother's side, named George Washington Ewen. Some not so well known, such as Myrna, given to my own mother. She was always asked "how do you spell that"?

      Well, now the son of Dingad (JD-1) was given the name Rhiwallon (JE-1). The meaning given in the delightful text by Peter Sager, p. 454, called "Pallas Wales", is rock face. Who would want to name their kid after a rock? Surely there is another meaning or purpose for this name? 

       If you remember that in the last post, the field of Dingad (JD-1) is named as late as 1584, which is around 630 years from his name calling. This geographic location was near the townland of Selattyn (Porkington) and surrounded by a number of folks, and by "...the mountain there...". Hum, what was this all about? Needless to say, it took a while to find this image:

    Well, what about this, Selattyn is right smack in the middle of the image, and off to the northwest is a hill with a tower. A local tower is usually placed at the highest point of land and would suggest that the hill was "the mountain there" as described with "Eryn Dingad" (JD-1). Further research indicated that the mining of lead, tin, and copper was done here since the Roman days, and a rock query still exists. In addition to all this, the dotted circles show the path of Offa's Dyke as it winds its way through this area leaving Selattyn on the eastern (Mercian) side of this great fence. [ As stated earlier in several previous posts, my Jones family road this fence throughout their pages of history.] 

      Anyway, here his Rhiwallon (JE-1) as the fifth generation down from the top. His wife was named Lettice (JE-2).

      The copy of the image shown above is found in No Through Road, "The AA Book of Country Walks", published 1975 by Drive Publications Limited for The Automobile Association, England. Book 1, "Walking in Britain", discusses Offa's Dyke Path, An earthwork along the frontire of Anglo-Saxon England starting page 134 to page 137. The complete image appears on page 135. [For a discussion of this text see post of February 24, 2022]

       The book by Peter Sager was first published as a German edition by DuMont Buchverlag GmbH & Co., Koln, 1985.

      By the way, there must have been a rock face somewhere among the hills. 

Dingad (JD-3)

      As to the youngest son, one often overlooks the special place they may have played in the family tree. For me, Dingad (JD-3) begins the direct line to my own Y-DNA as a great...great...great-grandfather. His wife Cicley (JD-7) [spelled Sysle in some places] in Nicholas (Vol. I) p. 354 it is stated that she was the daughter of "Severus ap Cadivor ap Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys". This cannot be correct since Gwenwynwyn, of Southern Powys, did not live until around 1200 A.D. [Ashley, p. 372-373] This error is fairly dramatic, and it caused me to question other lineages recorded by Nicholas. So far, this is the only mistake noted to date, but checking various sources rings a bell. [see posts of April 14 and March 26] Please comment if other errors are noted or need to be corrected. Anyway, the following figure gives Dingad (JD-3) his own page in the history of my Jones surname.

      As noted in the last post, the field of Dingad (JD-3) was recognized as late as 1584 in the townlands around Selattyn - Porkingon. As time progressed, this geographic area remained in the family for generations, and offered a method to break through many difficult brick walls. All other methods can be found in the blog https://thebrickwallprotocol.blogspot.com which might be of help to those facing their own brick walls.

A2A

      Before moving on down the branches of my own Jones surname family tree, it might be helpful to discuss some of the most useful sources. These were often utilized to help rule in, or rule out, the folks hanging from the many branches. The resources certainly changed over the many years, but several were extremely useful. One of the most helpful belonged to the UK archives network. As early as 2005 their collection of primary documents could be searched by topic/subject or individual's name. Needless to say, it was utilized frequently for more than 10 years. The following shows the services available:

      A catalogue of the "Table of Contents", a "Catalogue in Full", and your "Research Interest" could be placed in a "Search A2A". Man, what fun was had digging around the UK archives! Many of my research notebooks have the copy of the documents found among this database. It is discussed now because each document utilized in presenting future individuals can be understood as to the source when given as A2A. Needless to say, the field of Dingad (JD-3) is located in "Muniments of Title", Shropshire, Catalogue Ref. 894 and 1144. What a deal!

P.S. My copy is dated 2/19/05 and the web site was http://www.a2a.uk/search/documentxsl

The Youngest Son

       The one that is least old in the family group often gets a little more special attention, especially from the older, sometimes much older, adults. However, all the siblings of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) must have received some extra attention since their father died when all were still children [< 14]. The grandfather of these young'uns had already collected and grouped the customary principles of his day, and on page 99 it states:             

      "When brothers share their patrimony amongst them, the younger gets the special croft and eight acres, and all the buildings; and the cauldron and the fuel-axe and the coulter (for the father cannot give them or bequeath them except to the youngest son, and though they should be gaged they never fall forfeit). Thereupon let every brother take a croft and eight acres; and the youngest son divides, and choice goes from eldest to next eldest."

      Wow, lots of special attention given here. Let's work through how each item is defined. 

                patrimony = inheritance in land, usually "fathers townland" p. 370.

                special croft = fathers house implying a plot of land carrying a house and                                       enclosed (permanently fenced) p. 386 under the word defined for toft.  

                 cauldron = a large kettle or boiler.

                 fuel-axe = axe for chopping firewood.

                 coulter= arable land p. 328.

                gaged= given as security p. 374 under word for prid

      Now remember, Dingad (JD-3) is the youngest of male descent through Tudor Trevor (JC-1) and Anghard (JC-2). She happened to be the daughter of the fellow who started collecting and quilting together all the common and useful principles. The page numbers listed above come from my copy of this record translated and edited by Dafydd Jenkins published by Gomer Press, 1990. For those who might not remember, the cover of my copy is shown again:

     It certainly provides a picture window to the past. It enables insight to all the sons, but especially for the youngest son, who is the direct line of my own male descent.

Four Branches

      Family trees grow and can branch in all kinds of directions. Putting a "big picture" together of the starting point of all the branches can often help unknot many generations down the tree. Such is the linage of Tudor Trevor (JC-1), the starting point for many family groups. The following figure shows the earliest four branches of this family kindred, with one branch becoming the connecting point to my own Jones surname family tree. Let's look.

      The eldest son Gronwy (JD-1) [pink color] leaves a daughter as the only heir. This daughter Rhingor (JE-3) marries Cyhelin (JE-6) of Hereford, and begins one of the most famous "Royal Tribes of Wales" with her son Ethelystan Glodrydd (JF-6). This connection is documented in Burke, p. lxii. His kindred settles the country between the rivers Wye and the Severn.

      The middle son Llydocka (JD-2) [orange color] leaves a male heir Llywarch (JE-4) who's grandson Rhys Sais (JG-4) becomes a proprietor [4th in descent]. His own male heirs become famous for the blood-feud of our kindred group avenging Cynrig (JF-1). This Cynrig (JF-1) is of my own branch. [Maund, p. 93, see post May 3rd, 2023]

      Finally yes, the baby boy named Dingad (JD-3) [blue color] whose grandson Cynrig (JF-1) was killed around 1075 A.D., and it was his cousins, the sons of Rhys Sais (JG-4) who took revenge. You can see there were five sons involved here!

      The single daughter Rhingor (JD-4) marries a fellow named Gwrydr (JD-8) and begins her line of descent with the kindred of her husband.

       Wow, three male lines of descent, but only the middle and youngest sons continue their male line down the many tree branches to reach my own Jones family. 

Sons

      The life and times of the children belonging to Tudor Trevor (JC-1) and Anghard (JC-2) would certainly have had its ups and downs. Gronwy (JD-1), Llydocka (JD-2), and Dingad (JC-3) were identified as proprietors when they were to come into their own. However, born between 934 A.D. and 948 A.D. they would only be children when their father died in 948 A.D. Their grandfather Hywel Dda, had already assembled and discussed the accepted social behavior of the day. Stated on page 130 of "The Law of Hywel Dda", under the title of "Sons", it describes:

      "From when the son is born until he is fourteen years old, it is right for him to be at his father's platter, with his father as lord over him. And no punishment of him is right save his father's."

      Now in our case, the father had died most likely before their 14th birthdays. The law in this situation states:

       "A boy is entitled to a guardian for him until he is fourteen years old - his father if he is alive; and if his father is not alive, it is for the lord to give him a guardian, to act on his behalf to claim compensation for him, and to make compensation on his behalf". 

      Hywel Dda was to die within two years of Tudor Trevor (JC-1), being around the year 950 A.D. It would be my guess that Ynyr Frych (JC-3), the brother of Tudor and, the Abbot of "Abad Dor", took this role. Apparently the fellows were well cared for, and the following chart continues the family tree.

     Each sibling; Gronwy (JD-1) outlined in pink, Llydocka (JD-2) outlined in orange, Dingad (JD-3) outlined in blue, and Rhingor (JD-4) outlined only in pencil, all married and passed down the stories of the family. Each branch of the folks above produced a large number of descendants which will be presented in future posts using the same colors as shown above. The references for each individual diagramed is given in the numbers beside their name. For  (1)= Dwnn, (2)=Nicholas, and (3)= Burke, see post of April 9th, 2023.

As The Fourth Man

      The children of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) and Anghard (JC-2) would be the fourth generation down from the top of this family tree. Of these, there were three sons and one daughter all born between 934 AD. and 950 A.D. The Welsh laws of the day recognized the fourth male as having "Claims by Proprietary Right". On page 104 of Hywel Dda The Law" it states: 

       "Whosoever wants to claim land by kindred and descent, let him show his pedigree as the stock from which he derives; and if he is there as fourth man he is a proprietor, for it is as fourth man that a person becomes a proprietor."

      In the "GLOSSARY AND INDEX TO NOTES" page 375, a proprietor is explained "...for the holder of the fullest admissible right to land...". [for a review of this book see post of April 4th, 2022] Now, the following figure gives the family tree being discussed, and it shows the names of the children of Tudor Trevor (JC-1).

      Gronwy (JD-1) is the eldest male child. His symbol is colored pink, and from this point onward, or downward, his line of descent will be enclosed as pink.  Llydocka (JD-2) who takes his name from his grandfather on his mother's side Lludoca (JA-3) is outlined in orange. Likewise, from this point forward, his line of descent will take the color orange. Now, the baby of the family is Dingad (JD-3). He has special affinity, since I am the baby of my nuclear family, and I know what it is growing up with older brothers. His color is blue, and his line of descent will be marked blue. It is Dingad, as a fourth man, that my own Jones family is connected to this first four generations of my Welsh ancestors. 

      The daughter Rhingor (JD-4) is to be given in marriage, and becomes a member of her husband's kindred. Not forgotten, but her line of descent becomes that of her adopted family. Please note that in Dwnn, p. 307, the daughter, Rhingor, is named Arddyn who marries a fellow named Gwrydr hen.

A Field of Dreams

      Cubs, Yankies, Dodgers, and Reds in my room of the world would easily be recognized as professional baseball teams, all playing on their own field of dreams during the 1960s.  However, if you were to go back in time to the start of my family tree, you might instead be able to call it the league of tribes. Who exactly were all the players and on what teams? The 9th and 10th century were a dynamic period in time, with incessant wars, and a number of peoples who were attempting only to survive on their own field of dreams. For the genealogy nut inside me, trying to put all the players together that impacted my Jones surname family tree, was part of the exploration and understanding of my own ancestors.

      Let's see now, the name would be something like the "Life Lived League" of the 9th and 10th century. All major players of the day would become members, with each team having to pay their dues. Perhaps there would be four divisions named, "The Celtic", "The Teutonic", "The Scandinavians", and the last being named "The Invaders". Each division would have a number of teams all playing against one another with the chant shared by all, "To The Victor Goes The Spoils". There would be no rules and, each team could create their own secret plays. No holds barred and anything goes. What a game it must have been.

      Here are the lineups for each division:

                                                                The Celtic = "4-leaf Clovers" (Irish)

                                                                                     " The Bag Pipers" (Scots)

                                                                                     "The Red Dragons" (Welsh)

                                                                                     "The Players Purple" (Picts)

                                                               The Teutonic = "The White Dragons" (Saxons)

                                                                                        "The Golden Wings" (Angles)

                                                                                        "The Anglia" (Jutes)

                                                      The Scandinavians = "The Settlers" (Danes)

                                                                                         "The Cut Throats" (Vikings)

                                                                                         "The White Knights" (Swedes)

                                                         The Migrators = " The Invaders" (Visigoths/Ostrogoths)

                                                                                      "The Pirates" (Vandals)

                                                                                      "The Horde" (Huns)

      Wow! What a league it would become. Each team would be anxious to play against one another in their game of life. The umpires could be the monks from the nearest monastery, if they would show up at all. The coaches would be fired if they experienced a few losses in a row, and not very many would get an extended contract. The best players would get all the glory, but game injuries would be all too common.  No IRAs would be written here. My Tudor Trevor (JC-1) played for "The Red Dragons". On which team did your ancestors play? Certainly, each team would have their own field of dreams.

                                                                             

                                                                                        

    

All That Stuff

       Occasionally individuals have e-mailed and asked questions. One frequently asked is do you have documentation for all the family tree that is presented, and what evidence do you have to support the claim to male descent from Tudor Trevor (JC-1)? As you might guess, climbing trees back five generations may be difficult enough but, come on, climbing down the branches to 850 A.D. is not possible. Many times I would agree that it seems impossible but, climbing trees for more than 62 years has provided many opportunities to investigate the possibility. The last several posts have shown my copies of original sources that have helped along the way. There are many, many, many more collected along the various branches of my Jones surname family tree. For example, here are the titles of the materials collected that just address Tudor Trevor (JC-1). These sources/references/documents/research etc. are stored in notebooks which were collected during many of my time travels. Appropriately called "Research Notebooks", these are numbered now from RN#1 to RN#275. [RN abbreviation for research notebook]

                                                RN#153 - House of Tudor Trevor

                                                RN#154- The Children of Tudor Trevor

                                                RN#157- Trevor/Working Sheets

                                                RN#187- House of Trevor Geography

                                                RN#158- Associated Family Names (also a RN#158A)

                                                RN#169- Early Welsh/Anglo-Saxon Leadership

                                                RN#262- Political Connections

                                                RN#219- Family Tree through The Sons

                                                RN#215- Family Genealogy By Welsh Counties

      Each notebook contains 50 - 150 pages pertaining to the topic/subject listed. Here is another picture of the notebooks and how they are stored. Each can be retrieved and updated as needed. See post of April 14th, 2023 for additional details

      Just look at all that stuff.

Tribe of the Marches

      Questions frequently arise about the individuals you are trying to decide how they might relate, or not, into your family tree. One such question that arose regarding Tudor Trevor (JC-1) was how did he get titled "founder of the tribe of the Marches" living around 900 A.D. when the Marches did not come into existence until some 200+ years later?  Hum...did not seem to fit chronology if this was actually the case. Digging more around these facts seemed appropriate.

      An article by K.L. Maund titled Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century, The Boydell Press, 1991, provided many helpful facts. The second chapter "The Eleventh-century Rulers of Wales: Their Political and Genealogical Relationships" provided all sorts of historical information when the Marches were being formed. On the page titled "ABBREVIATIONS" he shows the known genealogical texts of the time. A great number indeed are shown, and in my working copy of this page are given the various sources:

      

      Wow, just look at them. On page 93 of his text, he notes that the family of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) is "...a noble, not royal, family...". On page 237, Maund, in his index, listed "Tudur Trefor ab Ymyr" which is a somewhat different spelling. In addition, Meic Stephens [see post October 29th, 2022] describes on page 260 that the Welsh genealogical texts were started to be written around 1100 A.D. 

     Now, putting all this together, suggests that Tudor Trevor (JC-1) must have been labeled "Founder of the tribe of the Marches" by those looking back in time through the windows of 1100 A.D., and not by folks living 900 A.D. These factors help fit things a little better into my Welsh family tree and my Jones surname tree climbing.

      These research notes are stored in RN#3 titled "Welsh Genealogy and Pedigrees- K.L. Maund.

Other Surnames

      The name Tudor Trevor (JC-1) is claimed by many other families as their beginning root. The surname of many are distinctly different and, at first glance caused a great deal of bewilderment. When starting my Jones surname tree climbing at age nine, my understanding was that one individual, with the same surname as yours, would be at the top of the family tree.  How could many different surnames come from the same root? Much was needed to be learned, especially when getting to those Welsh branches. Anyhow, the following two pages are taken from my RN# 236. The number of "other" surnames are recorded with the reference source of the surname given. There are 22 such families listed here, all recorded before 1884. What a deal!

            Note: the (3) stands for Burke [1884] and Dwnn mostly Vol.II, [1846].

     Here is my Jones surname connection, "Jones of Llwynon" which is marked in blue. Yes indeed, all these families share their roots to Tudor Trevor (JC-1).   It took a number of years to figure all this tree climbing stuff out!