0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888
0:00:14 > 0:00:16- 888
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- Over recent months, the Perthyn team - has been researching your stories.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- From Pembrokeshire - to the Lleyn Peninsula...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- ..we've seen tears - of sadness and joy.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- We've solved mysteries - and united families.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- Oh, no!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43- There's a likeness.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- There's a likeness.- - Maybe.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- My great-great-great-great-great - grandfather.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52- Well, well, well.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53- Well, well, well.- - That's exciting.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- Grace Williams.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- Typhoid fever. Very sad.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- As you see, - she was illegitimate.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- They're the interesting ones.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- I know who you are.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10- I know who you are.- - Do you?
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- I'm learning something new - about this family every day.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19- He's your great-great-great-great - great-great grandfather.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21- Hywel, here's Olive.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31- I've seen how tracing your family - tree can become an obsession.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Sian Rees's experience - is a familiar story.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- You were raised in Rhyl. - What was it like living in Rhyl?
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- I moved to Rhyl from Cricieth - when I was eight years old.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- I didn't know what to expect. - My grandfather lived there.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- Someone told my mother, - "Oh, you're going to live in Sodom!"
0:01:52 > 0:01:57- People talked about the fair and a - social lower class that lived here.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- I didn't see any of that - when I grew up.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- It was a lovely place. I'll - defend Rhyl until my dying days!
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- How did your family end up in Rhyl?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- William Jones, - my great-great grandfather...
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- ..moved from Aberdaron to Rhyl - some time after 1851.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21- He was a Welsh speaker - and all his family spoke Welsh.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- Today, I'm the only Welsh speaker - in my family.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- An interesting name appears - in your family tree.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- Yes - Love.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- It's been in the family since - William Jones moved from Aberdaron.
0:02:37 > 0:02:44- Many family members - have Love as their middle name.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- Often, an event inspires people - to research their family tree.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- Did that happen to you?
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- As a young girl, - I remember my father telling me...
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- ..that our family was related - to the King of Bardsey.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- Of course, as a child, I didn't pay - much attention to that...
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- ..but it did trigger something - deep in my imagination.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- Since I started tracing - my family tree...
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- ..it has become, at times, - an obsession.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25- Aberdaron and the surrounding area - is my spiritual home.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30- My mother's side of the family - hails from that area.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Now, I'm hoping to confirm - that my father's side does too.
0:03:39 > 0:03:45- The link with Bardsey is a mystery - I'd like to see solved...
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- ..if that's possible.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- How many of us realize that Bardsey - had its own king at one time?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- Love Pritchard - was the island's last king.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02- The kingdom - was part humorous, part serious.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- It was established - two centuries ago.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10- Sian wants to discover - if she's related to Love Pritchard.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Sian's journey doesn't begin - on the Lleyn Peninsula.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- She's in Rhyl, - the family's home for generations.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- Sian has fond memories of the town.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- William Jones, - her great-great grandfather...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- ..was the first family member - to move here.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- She thinks he came from Aberdaron...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- ..but she has little information - about him.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- Sian is on her way - to Foryd Harbour in Rhyl...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- ..to meet historian Dilwyn Williams.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- I've been told by my family...
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- ..that William Jones - came from Aberdaron.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56- He moved to Rhyl in the 1850s. - He worked as a corn merchant.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Do you have any information - about that?
0:04:59 > 0:05:05- Corn would have been harvested - in the Vale of Clwyd at that time.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- That could have been a reason - for him moving here.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- He saw an opportunity to trade.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- Rhyl was a town in its infancy - but it was rapidly growing...
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- ..as a seaside town - and a holiday destination.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- The advent of the railway in 1848 - made it more accessible.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- It made life easier.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- The ports of Rhuddlan and Foryd - had been operating for generations.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- Ships would regularly dock here - to load cargo...
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- ..back and forth, along - the coastline, mainly to Liverpool.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- That was probably his main reason - for moving to Rhyl.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- Do you know if he was successful - in his venture?
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Well, yes. He was.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- The warehouse he owned is still - here, in the town centre.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- It's no longer a warehouse, - it's a bank nowadays.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Here's his obituary - from the Rhyl Journal.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- "An Old Resident's Death.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- "He at one time...
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- "..had a warehouse on the site...
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- "..of the North and South Wales - Bank, Rhyl."
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- I'm glad to say, it's still there.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- As well as being a successful - corn trader in Rhyl...
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- ..William Jones's obituary - also confirms the family story...
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- ..that he was originally - from Aberdaron.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Throughout the Victorian age, - Rhyl flourished.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- It became a popular - holiday destination.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The railway brought the town - new opportunities.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Like every successful town, - it needed a football club.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- One of Sian's relatives - played for the club...
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- ..at the turn of the 20th century.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Sian is visiting - Belle Vue Stadium...
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- ..to meet football commentator - Glyn Griffiths.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- My grandmother's brother - used to play football for Rhyl.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- Have you found - any further details about him?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- John Love Jones, or - John Lovey Jones as he was known...
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- ..went on to become - a professional player.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- He played for Rhyl from 1903-1905.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- In 1905, he played for Rhyl - against Birkenhead.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- The secretary of Stoke City - was a spectator at that game.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- A secretary was a club's manager - in those days.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52- He was so pleased with - John Love Jones's performance...
0:07:52 > 0:07:58- ..he signed him for Stoke City - before he returned home that night.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- After playing for Stoke City, he - went on to play for Middlesbrough.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- He also played twice for Wales.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- He won his first cap in 1906...
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- ..an away match against Scotland - in Edinburgh.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Wales won 2-0 and John Love Jones - scored one of the goals.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- He was at his best - playing on the wing...
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- ..where he had more room to play.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Most of the players - would crowd the penalty area.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- But tragedy soon struck.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- At the age of 28, - John Love Jones died of TB.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Lovey Jones's glittering career - was over.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- He would have played - far more games for Wales.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57- As it is, he was one of the first - Rhyl players to play for Wales.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- He was a pioneer of his sport - in Rhyl at the turn of the century.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- Thank you.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- Here's something else, Sian, - to remind you of John Love Jones...
0:09:13 > 0:09:18- ..and his association with Rhyl FC, - where his career started...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..here's a Rhyl FC hat - as a souvenir...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- ..and a Rhyl FC scarf.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- CPD - Clwb Pel-droed Y Rhyl.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31- They'll keep you warm!
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Great! Thank you very much.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Thank you.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- Like John Love Jones, - the footballer...
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- ..corn merchant William Jones - was one of Rhyl's famous sons.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Despite passing the building - many times over the years...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..the site of his business - was a mystery to Sian.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- The obituary in the Rhyl Journal - has filled in many gaps...
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- ..and brought his character to life - for her.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- I didn't realize - that he'd been so successful.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- He ran this huge warehouse - in the centre of Rhyl.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24- The obituary mentioned a lot - of positive facts about him.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30- It says that he was an active member - of Bethel Chapel, Rhyl.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- It's the chapel I attended - when I was growing up...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ..and the chapel - where I got married.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- He was a deacon at the chapel.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Oh, dear me.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47- This is where he came when he moved - from the Lleyn Peninsula.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- He arrived as a young man...
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- ..and he lived until he was 83.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- I've been searching - for something like this for years.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- So it's great.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- I can't wait to return - to Aberdaron...
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- ..to confirm, if possible...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- ..that he was related, - as family history suggests...
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- ..to Love Pritchard, - Bardsey's last king.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24- .
0:11:26 > 0:11:26- 888
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- 888- - 888
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Perthyn has confirmed - a family story...
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- ..that Sian Rees's great-great - grandfather, William Jones...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- ..came from Aberdaron.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Sian's father claims the family - is related to Bardsey's last king.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- But who were Williams Jones's - parents? Where did they live?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Were they related - to the last king of Bardsey?
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Sian has travelled to Aberdaron - to unravel the mystery.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- My father told me - when I was a young girl...
0:12:04 > 0:12:09- ..that there was a link between - our family and the King of Bardsey.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- The last King of Bardsey - was Love Pritchard.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Love features frequently in my - father's family names to this day.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- I want to know if there is a link - or was it just a family story?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Love Pritchard - became King of Bardsey in 1911...
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- ..the last of three kings - appointed by the islanders.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- It wasn't a majestic - or an official monarchy.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- It was a practical monarchy to - control everyday life on the island.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- After searching for links - between her family and the King...
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- ..it became apparent - that it wouldn't be easy.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- Researching a family tree - in this area is difficult.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- Families' surnames change - from one record to the next...
0:12:55 > 0:13:00- ..but Sian is determined to - find out more about Love Pritchard.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- This is the grave - of Love Pritchard, King of Bardsey.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- He's caused me so much trouble - over the years...
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- ..as I've tried to research - the family's history.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- He's been buried with his - two sisters, Catherine and Susan.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- Despite being buried within earshot - of the sea in Aberdaron...
0:13:22 > 0:13:28- ..it's a shame that he wasn't buried - on the island where he lived.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- One of the clues linking - Sian's family to the King...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- ..is the name Love - which is featured in both families.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Can Dilwyn Williams reveal more - about the origin of the name?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- What do you know - about the name Love?
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- It's hard to know - how Love Pritchard got his name...
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- ..but I know it was a prominent name - in one local family...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- ..the Madryn family.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- The name Love in that family...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- ..dates back to the Puritan Era - of the 17th century.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- The original name was Lovegod.
0:14:09 > 0:14:15- I've seen references to a boy - called Lovegod Parry in a will.
0:14:15 > 0:14:21- The Puritans tended to place - Christian virtues on their children.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- This boy was named Lovegod...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- ..and during his lifetime, - his name was shortened to Love.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- The Madryn family - was well respected locally.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31- As a mark of respect...
0:14:32 > 0:14:37- ..Love Pritchard may well have been - named after the Madryn family.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- When the first census - was taken in 1841...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- ..and the state started - registering births in 1837...
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- ..family names in Wales - were formalized for the first time.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Before that, surnames were merely - personal traits.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- It's difficult to research a family - tree in a rural area such as this.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- It's easier for people...
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- ..who have one family surname - that has remained for generations.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- It changes from generation - to generation in Wales.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- It's not surprising that Sian - hit a brick wall with her research.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- Can she find more information - on Bardsey Island?
0:15:24 > 0:15:25- OK?
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- I'm really looking forward - to visiting Bardsey.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- The island has a magical place - for the Welsh nation.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50- There's the history of 20,000 saints - buried there...
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- ..and in addition, - there's my personal connection.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- OK? Cheerio, Sian. So long.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- Around 100 people lived here - during Love Pritchard's time.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Researching genealogy here - should be easy...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- ..but Pritchard's family - is a perfect example...
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- ..of the complications - that can arise.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- Love Pritchard - was born and raised in Ty Pella.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- His parents - had many different surnames.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- On official records...
0:16:39 > 0:16:44- ..they appear as Pritchard, - Richards and Williams.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- According to legend, they changed - names to avoid paying taxes.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- What of Sian's connection - to the King?
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- After rummaging through the - archives, she has some information.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- Perthyn has found William Jones's - marriage certificate.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- It reveals his father's name - as John Prichard.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Is there any more information - about him?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Well, - this is confirmation, finally...
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- ..that William Jones - lived in Bodffordd...
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- ..in the parish of Aberdaron.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- According to this, - his father was John Prichard.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- An even more interesting fact...
0:17:30 > 0:17:37- ..is that John Prichard...
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- ..had a son called Love Prichard.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- There was a Love in the family...
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- ..before the King of Bardsey - who was born in 1843.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- I didn't know that previously.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- That's a huge piece of the jigsaw.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- As has been the case - for family tree researchers...
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- ..on Bardsey and in Aberdaron...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- ..surname complexities - have posed problems...
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- ..for the Perthyn team too.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- For Sian, the search continues.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- Even though - we couldn't prove conclusively...
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- ..that both families were related...
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- ..with Love and Prichard common - during the same time and area...
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- ..it is very likely - that her family legend is true.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Sian certainly believes - that it is true.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- She visits the King's home - before leaving the island.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Over the past 20 years...
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- ..I've tried to confirm - the family story...
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- ..that Love Pritchard - is a member of my family...
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- ..on my father's side.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07- I'm beginning to think...
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- ..that I may not be able to confirm - it with one piece of paper.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- That cornerstone will prove - that the link is real.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- I'll have to accept - that the enchanted isle...
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- ..will hold on to its secrets.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- In 1925, - with the islanders ageing...
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- ..and a shortage of young men - to row...
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- ..Love Pritchard led everyone - from Bardsey Island...
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- ..to herald the end - of the island's community.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- Five months later, he died.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46- He was buried - overlooking the sea in Aberdaron.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- A large crowd gathered - to pay their respects.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- Love Pritchard, - the last King of Bardsey...
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- ..became part of local folklore.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- After years of research...
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- ..Sian has discovered that William - Jones's father was John Prichard.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- The surname complexities has been - very apparent in her family tree.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- It's prevented Sian - from further research.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- But Perthyn has found William - Jones's address in Bodffordd.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30- Sian is visiting her old family home - for the first time.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Good morning, how are you? I'm Sian.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35- I'm Mary.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- I'm Mary.- - It's nice to meet you.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- I've been doing some research - into my family tree.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- My great-great grandfather, - William Jones...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- Well, he was known - as William Jones.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- He could have been known - as William Prichard.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- He was born and brought up in - this house before moving to Rhyl...
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- ..in the mid-19th century.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- My family, on my mother's side, - has lived here for generations.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- We might be related - somewhere along the line.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- That's very interesting.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- One family story that's bothered me - for over 20 years...
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- ..is the possible connection - between my family...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- ..and Love Pritchard, - the King of Bardsey.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Love is a prominent name - in my family.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- There's a Love - on my grandmother's side.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37- She had a brother called Love - who died at an early age.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- She had a cousin - called John Love Williams.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43- He lived in Holyhead.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- Well, I'm lost for words now!
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- My grandmother would always say...
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- ..that we were related - to the King of Bardsey.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55- I don't know...
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- ...why she said it - or why she thought we were related.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- We had nothing on paper to prove it. - I don't know how the story existed.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- It must have been passed down - through the generations.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- There must be a connection - because of this unusual name.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- I'm really lost for words!
0:22:16 > 0:22:17- Thank you.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- You're welcome. I'm glad you've - been able to return to your roots.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24- So am I.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- I believe the oral tradition...
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- ..and stories that are passed down - through the generations...
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- ..are as valid as any document, - written record or registration.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- Somewhere, somehow, I believe that - Love Pritchard is part of my family.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Genealogy and tracing family history - can become an obsession.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- I never thought - I'd be one of these people...
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- ..who can't stop - once they'd started.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- It can be frustrating, - it can be a pleasure...
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- ..it can be perplexing and exciting.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- I've enjoyed every part of it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- I don't think I'll ever give up.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- There's no such thing...
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- ..as a final conclusion - to solving family mysteries.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56- .