Welsh emigrants' letters

Scope and Content

Eleven letters dating from 1837 to 1877 from Welsh emigrants in the United States to individuals in Wales. William Edwards and family are the correspondents, writing to Owen Roberts, shop keeper of Pen-y-groes, Caernarfonshire. The letters contain family news, information on the Welsh in New York, living conditions and the effect of the Civil War on the country.

Administrative / Biographical History

Robert Owen, 1885 - 1962, better known as Bob Owen, Croesor was an antiquary and book-collector from Llanfrothen, Merionethshire.

His interests lay in local history and Welsh genealogy. He collected manuscripts as well as books, and transcribed parish records. Although an advocate of the study of local history, his own topics of research were far reaching. He was an authority on the history of the Welsh in America in particular.

Little is known about the correspondents of these letters, other than that they emigrated in1837 to the United States, probably from the Pen-y-groes area in Caernarfonshire. In the United States they moved from New York to Wisconsin and then to Detroit in search of better living and working conditions.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Access Information

Open to all users.

Acquisition Information

Received from Bob Owen, Croesor

Note

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, March 2002.

Other Finding Aids

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 15732-15742

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Related Material

For further material received from the Library of Bob Owen, Croesor, consult Archives HubBob Owen, Croesor Papers and Additional Bob Owen Transcripts

Personal Names