This one was a hard one for me, but eventually I turned the prompt on its ear. Instead of something I want to show off, I decided to go with something I wanted to see myself. And that is one of the places I've most wanted to see: Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
I've actually been there once before, when I was still young. My family went to England and Germany when I was just starting fifth grade in school. I do have fond memories of the trip, but they are faint, and I really don't recall everything we did. So when mom found her journal and I was reminded that we visited the town her grandfather Daniel was born in, I was sad I really remembered almost nothing. All I can think is just how much time I'd want to spend there, see where my great-grandfather grew up, finding records about him and his parents. Maybe even meet relatives I've not met before. I believe some of his siblings' descendants still live there or in the area today.
My great-grandfather Daniel was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1882. His parents ran the local post office, from what I have been told. I know he had several siblings, though I know almost nothing about any of them aside from a few stories here and there. I know that he lost one to pneumonia when he was still a young man, and that he had two younger sisters, including one who had a son about the same age as Daniel's own son who was born in the early 1920s.
Daniel also went out of his way to name one of his children for his hometown. When my great-grandmother sent him to go to register my grandmother's birth, they'd decided on a name, but when he returned, she learned that he had named her Merle Tydfil for his home.
So you can see why I feel so attached and curious about this place my family has an origin in. I'd love to see the post office (or where it used to be). I'd love to look into the local stories, see where my great grandfather lived before he came to Canada.
So there you go, of all the places I'd like to Check Out, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales is definitely at the top of the list.
2 comments :
Oh! I thought it was Auntie Edwina whose middle name was Tydfil. Great information Mika - thank you.
Nope, it was my grandma. :) I checked to be sure. I have Edwina's middle name as Hannah, which was Daniel's mother's name. So maybe that's why?
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