My mother suggested I look for a Welsh archivist who might be willing to help look into my roots. How hard could it be? Very hard! No matter what combination of words I put into Google, I came up empty. Empty, except for the fact that I found a website called the Powys Genealogical Society. They had a contact. I emailed the contact explaining my upcoming trip to Wales, specifically to the town of Knighton to look for my ancestors and expressed my desire to find an archivist and wondered if there was any way possible they could point me in the right direction.
I received a response from a woman named Jennifer. She was a genealogist and she would be happy to search for my family. I thanked her kindly but told her that the cost of my trip had made it prohibitive for me to hire her. She then explained that she grew up in a town very near Knighton and attended school there. My interest was piqued, and I was tempted, but I politely turned her down.
I forged forward with new found interest in the unknown world of genealogical research. I began having luck with census records, and marriage certificates, often spending 5 to 7 hours at time, hoping that I would find a baptismal record, or death certificate that would verify my grandfather Edward and his parentage.
One day, I found a link to the name of a person who had been doing some research on Edward's wife, Elizabeth. I sent off an email asking for any information they may have come across re: Edward. A few minutes later a reply came back. The reply was from a genealogist who had been hired by another man to research Edward and Elizabeth's lines. He told me he would ask for permission to share his research. A few hours passed and permission was granted! I now had access to pages and pages of research and documentation on Edward and Elizabeth and their children as well as Elizabeth's parents and siblings. I also discovered that the man who hired the genealogist and I had much in common! Edward and his son Charles Rogers Morgan were both our common grandfather's!
With new found knowledge, my research became more earnest. Like me, the genealogist was unable to find anything more on Edward. He did however, have some guesses as to Edward's parentage.
I then began looking at wills to see if I could find anything that might lead me to Edward. While researching, I thought about Jennifer and of her offer for help. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that my finding her was not a coincidence, rather, she had been placed in my lap. With the blessing of my father, I contacted her. I sent her all the documents I had received from the genealogist and told her that hopefully it would shed new light.
Two days later, I received the following reply. I have included the use of parenthesis to explain to you the reader, the significance of her information.
"Dear suzanne
Interestingly one branch of my Morgan family farmed at Farrington ( I had no idea that she had a Morgan line! A possible parentage for Edward lived in the town of Farrington). I will look it up this weekend. [not as early as yours]
Also my gggrandfather Richard Morgan was born In Llanfihangel Nant melan c1803 to Richard and Mary Morgan. ( Llanfihangel Nant Melan is the birth place of Edward's wife Elizabeth).
My sister runs a pub in Llanbister. (Lanbister, is the birthplace of Edward) Last weekend she had someone staying with her who are researching the Greenwood family. (The Greenwood line is Elizabeth's mothers line) They want me to do some research but they have not emailed me as yet.
Kind regards Jennifer"
You can imagine my surprise. I was filled with excitement and energy I found it difficult to sleep that night.
What an interesting journey I am on! I can hear Edward in my dreams. He urges me onward. Onward to the past, and forward to my future.
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