FROM THE BRITISH ISLES TO OREGON,U.S.A.

In the late 1890’s through 1928 several men and women immigrated from the rural district of Aberystwyth, Cards., Wales and settled in Harney Co., Oregon U.S.A.. Many of these men got their start in the United States by herding sheep or tending to sheep camps for John Richard Jenkins who owned and operated a large sheep operation in Anderson Valley and Diamond, Oregon. As his sons grew up they took over their father’s livestock operation and changed it over to cattle. For a time some of the Welsh remained in their employ building fences and tending to the cattle on horse back.

John Richard Jenkins was born 1864 at Bwlchrosser, Elerch, Cards., Wales and died 1945 in Burns, Harney Co., Oregon. He was a son of Richard Jenkins and Margaret Hughes and was living with his family at Winllan, Ceulan y Maesmawr, Wales in 1881. John R. Jenkins, a Welsh sheepherder, went to the U.S.A. about 1883 and worked as a coal miner in eastern U.S. and eventually went west and about 1890 started purchasing land in Harney Co. In 1898, in a return trip to Wales, Jenkins, married Margaret Mary Jones and took her back to Oregon with him where they became the parents of 4 children. Margaret Mary was b. 1868 Cefn Mabys, Llanrhystud, Cards., Wales and died 1948 in Burns, Oregon. She was the daughter of Jonathan Jones and Jane Rowlands of Cefn Mabys.

The records to follow have been extracted from misc. documents related to several Welshmen employed by John Richard Jenkins and or Sons and some of their relations. Trying to pin-point an exact place of birth for many can be frustrating for they may just list Aberystwyth or Talybont such as Richard Jones who listed Aberystwyth as his place of birth, but in fact was born on the Gwarcwmbach Farm in Llancynfelin. Richard’s brother, David, list Llancynfelin on the ship manifest records as place of birth, but in his application to become a U.S. citizen he simply listed Cardiganshire, Wales.

S.S. Celtic; White Star Line

Sailed from Liverpool, England on June 6, 1912

Arrived at the Port of New York on June 15, 1912

List 7; line 1

David Jones, age 37, Farm Laborer, married, Country of which a subject- United Kingdom

Last permanent address: Glandyfi, Wales

Nearest relative and residence in Wales: Hugh Jones, brother, Pensarn Talybont, Cardiganshire, Wales

Final Destination: Denver, Colorado

Whether going to relative or friend: Friend; J. Pellar; Idaho Springs; Denver, Colorado

First time to United States: Yes

Place of Birth: Llancynfelin, Wales

Travel Companions List 4, lines 19 & 20: Thomas Lloyd Davies and John Evans

Note: David Jones was a son of Thomas Jones of Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin,Cards., Wales; b. 1875 Gwarcwmbach; died 1940 in Wales.

No train tickets were purchased in advance of departure from Liverpool. I question whether the trio actually went to Denver, or purchased tickets in New York and went straight through to Oregon for immigration records show that David Jones and John Evans showed up in Harney Co., within a few short days after arriving in New York; it’s unlikely they had time to stop off in Denver.

S.S. Celtic; White Star Line

Sailed from Liverpool, England on June 6, 1912

Arrived at the Port of New York on June 15, 1912

List 4; line 19

Thomas Lloyd Davies, age 26; single, Farm Laborer, Country of which a subject- United Kingdom

Last permanent address: Talybont, Wales

Nearest relative and residence in Wales: Seymour Davies, Glanyrafon, Talybont R.S.O., Cardiganshire, Wales

Final Destination: Denver, Colorado

Whether going to friend or relative: Sister, Violet J. Pellar; Box 3741; Idaho Springs; Denver, Colorado

First time to United States: No; was there in 1908

Place of Birth: Talybont, Wales

Note: Thomas Lloyd Davies was a son of Henry Seymour and Mary Ann (Morris) Davies of Glanyrafon, Ceulan y Maesmawr, Cards., Wales.

S.S. Celtic; White Star Line

Sailed from Liverpool, England on June 6, 1912

Arrived at the Port of New York on June 15, 1912

List 4; line 20

John Evans, age 28; Coal Miner, single, Country of which a subject-United Kingdom

Last Permanent residence: Borth, Wales

Nearest relative and residence in Wales: Evan Evans (Cwmcan?), Llanfihangel near Borth, Cardiganshire

Final Destination: Denver, Colorado

Whether going to friend or ralative: Lady in Springs, Denver

First time to United States: yes

Place of Birth: Aberystwyth, Wales

Note: John Evans is believed to be a cousin to David Jones of Gwarcwmbach, how related unknown.

b. 1884 Aberystwyth, Wales; d. 1924 near Crane, Harney Co., Oregon.

S.S. Carmaina; Cunard Line

Sailed from Liverpool, England May 4, 1912

Arrived at the Port of New York on May 12, 1912

List 3, line 6

John Mason, age 19, Cowkeeper, single, Country of which a subject- United Kingdom

Last permanent residence: Liverpool, England

Nearest relative and residence of England: John Mason, father, 17 Head Street, Liverpool

Final Destination: Utica, New York

Whether going to friend or relative: (Pat) Stewards, 26 Kimble Street.; Utica, New York; who was an uncle to Mason’s travel companion- Griffith H. Jones, age 20, single, clerk, born Liverpool and son of (J. To. ? ) Jones of 69 Armdell Street; Liverpool, England

First time to United States: yes

Place of Birth: Liverpool, England

Note: John Mason is a nephew to Jane Mason (widow Roberts) Jones of Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin, Cards., Wales. He was born 1892 Liverpool, England; died 1951 Burns, Harney Co., Oregon. Buried in unmarked grave in Burns Cemetery between the graves of the John R. Jenkins family and a distant cousin, Thomas Goronwy Jones born 1898 Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin, Cards., Wales. John Mason never married.

Ellis Island Passenger Record database by LDS:

Name: Davies, John (no. 18 on list)

Ethnicity: Welsh

Place of Residence: Aberystwyth

Date of Arrival: 28 April 1900 (Port of New York)

Age on Arrival: 20 years

Gender: Male

Marital Status: Single

Occupation: Farmer

Final destination: Baker City, Baker County, Oregon

Travel Companion: John Hughes Jones, age 28, farmer, Aberystwyth

Ship of Travel: S.S. Lucania

Port of Departure: Liverpool, England UK

Note: John William (Bill) Davies was a son of Henry Seymour and Mary Ann (Morris) Davies of Glanyrafon, Ceulan y Maesmawr, Cards., Wales; b. 1880 Aberystwyth and d. 1970 Burns, Harney Co., Oregon.

John Hughes Jones b. July 21, 1870 (Aberystwyth) d. July 8, 1914 and buried in Burns Cemetery; Burns, Harney Co., Oregon. 1910 census for Cold Springs, Harney Co., Oregon list him as employee for John R. Jenkins; age 37, single, born in Wales; parents born in Wales- no further information.

S.S. Campania; Cunard Lines

Sailed from Liverpool, England on June 3, 1899

Arrived at the Port of New York on June 10, 1899

Passenger list A.; number on list: 1; number of contract ticket: 11

Richard Evans, age 30, single, miner, nationality Welsh

Last Permanent residence: Aberystwyth

Final Destination: Huntingdon, Oregon (which is Huntington, Baker County, Oregon)

Going to friend or relative and full name and address: none listed

In United States before: no

Religion: Protestant

Returned to Wales by 1905-

S.S. Etruria of Cunard Lines

Sailed from Liverpool, England on March 18, 1905

Arrived at the Port of New York on March 26, 1905

List 1; steerage passage- number 1 on passenger list

Richard Evans, age 39, single, farmer, subject of England

Race: Welsh

Last residence: Aberystwyth

Final destination: Huntington, Oregon

Whether going to friend or relative: hard to read, could be Houser

First time in the United States: no, 1899

Travel Companion: Jacob Hughes no. 2 on passenger list

Note: Richard Evans born April 1866 Wales and died April 3, 1923 and is buried in the Burns Cemetery at Burns, Harney Co., Oregon.

1910 census for Cold Springs, Harney County, Oregon; hired hand employed by John R. Jenkins, Sheep Farm:

Richard Evans, white, male, age 48, single, born in Wales

1920 census for Anderson Valley, Harney Co., Oregon; hired hand employed by John R. Jenkins, Sheep Farm

Richard J. Evans, age 54, single, immigrated 1899, alien; born Cardigan, Wales; parents from Wales, employed as cook on the sheep farm. No further information.

Ellis Island Database- LDS

Jacob Hughes, age 24, single

Sailed from Liverpool, England March 18, 1905 aboard the S.S. Etruria

Landed at the Port of New York on March 26, 1905

Travel Companion: Richard Evans

Richard had been to the U.S. previously, but this was Jake’s first time.

Nationality: England; Race of People: Welsh

Last Residence: Aberystwith, Wales

Final destination: Huntington, Oregon

Note: Jacob ‘Jake’ Hughes b. 1881 Aberystwyth R.D.; Cards., Wales; d. 1961 Pendleton, Umatilla Co., Oregon; buried Burns Cemetery; Burns, Harney Co., Oregon

1920 census for Crane, Harney Co., Oregon:

19. Jacob Hughes, sheep farmer, age 38, immigrated 1905, naturalized 1918, born in Wales, parents both born in Wales

Wife: Annie, age 39, immigrated 1912, naturalized 1918, born in Wales; parents born in Wales. Maiden name may have been Owen(s)

b. 1879 Wales; d. 1934 near Venator, Harney Co., Oregon; buried Burns Cem.

19-20 Thomas J. Hughes, sheep farmer, age 29, immigrated 1913, naturalized 1919, born Wales; parents both born in Wales

Wife: Nellie, age 35, immigrated (1914), naturalized 1919, born in Wales,

Parents both born in Wales.

Assume Thomas to be brother to Jacob. No information found on Thomas and Nellie.

S.S. Celtic; White Star Line

Sailed from Liverpool, England March 14, 1912

Arrived at the Port of New York March 24, 1912

John Griffiths, age 32 yrs. And 10 months; single, Farmer, subject of United Kingdom

Last Permanent residence; Penrhyncoch, Llanbadarn Fawr, Cards., Wales

Name of nearest relative: Mrs. Owen (Aunt) of Troedyrhiw, Penrhyncoch, Wales

Final destination: Harney Co., Oregon

Whether going to friend or relative: Mr. David Owen, cousin, Harney Co., Oregon

First time to United States: yes

Place of Birth: listed, but can’t make it out.

Note: May have been related to Annie, wife of Jacob Hughes.

1920 census for Anderson Valley, Harney Co., Oregon, hired hand employed by John R. Jenkins, Sheep Farm

John Griffiths, age 40, single, immig. 1912, born in Wales, parents from Wales, employed on the sheep farm as a Shepard.

John Griffiths had a brother, William Griffiths living at Tantycelyn/Pantycelyn, Elerch, Cards., Wales in 1896. His sister-in-law,and widow of William Griffiths, Jane (formerly) Hughes Griffiths was living at Bwlchydderwen, Talybont, Cards., Wales in 1928.

S.S. Cedric

Sailed from Liverpool, England March 24, 1928

Arrived at the Port of New York April 2, 1928

William Griffiths, age 31, single, farmer

Final destination: Diamond, Oregon to Uncle John Griffiths

Place of birth: Talybont, Wales

Nearest relative in Wales: Mother, Mrs. Jane Griffiths of Bwlchydderwen, Talybont, Cards., Wales

Note: William ‘Bill’ Griffiths b. 1896 Tantycelyn/Pantycelyn, Elerch, Cards., Wales to William Griffiths and Jane Hughes.; d. 1979 Burns, Harney Co., Oregon

Married twice, first wife Elizabeth Jenkins died 1922 at Talybont. 2^nd wife married in Oregon.

Had a brother Lewis Griffiths b. 1898 in Wales; d. 1938 and buried in the Burns cemetery.

From Immigration and Naturalization Papers:

S.S. Ivernia; Cunard Lines

Richard Jones, age 37, single

Sailed from Liverpool, England

Arrived at Port of Boston, Massachusetts March 19, 1908

Date of Birth: February 26, 1877 Aberystwyth, Cards., Wales

Final Destination: Smith, Harney Co., Oregon

Date of Naturalization: September 30, 1914 Burns., Oregon

Note: Richard Jones was a son of Thomas Jones of Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin, Cards., Wales.

From Visa Papers which included certificate of birth::

S.S. Scythia

Sailed from Liverpool, England

Arrived at the Port of New York May 10, 1927

Tom Jenkins, age 21, single, born 1905 Winllan Farm, Talybont, Cards., Wales

Final destination: Aunt and Uncle John R. Jenkins; Diamond, Oregon

Note: Tom Jenkins son of Enoch and Elizabeth (formerly) Evans Jenkins, born 1905 at Winllan, Talybont, Cards., Wales and died 1976 Princeton, Harney Co., Oregon; buried Burns Cemetery. Enoch Jenkins, of Winllan, signed as a witness to the writing of the will of Thomas Jones of Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin, Cards., Wales.

Ellis Island: Passenger Record database by LDS-

Name: Davies, Violet

Ethnicity: England, Welsh

Place of Residence: Glanrafon, Wales

Birthplace: Glanrafon, Wales

Date of Arrival: 22 Oct 1909

Age on Arrival: 21 years

Gender: Female

Marital Status: Single

Ship of Travel: S.S. Lusitania

Port of Departure: Liverpool, England, UK

Final Destination: Brother, Mr. Davies, 1890 (Flag) Avenue; Denver, Colorado

Note: Violet Davies is a daughter to Henry Seymour and Mary Ann (Morris) Davies; born 1888 Glanyrafon, Ceulan y Maesmawr, Cards., Wales; died 1984 Denver, Colorado.

S.S. Carmania; Cunard Line

Port of Departure: Liverpool, England 27^th March 1920

Arrived at the Port of New York 1st April 1920

Brothers: Thomas Goronwy Jones, age 21, single, farm laborer; birth place Taliesin, Wales. William Idris Jones, age 16, single, (captain made a mistake and marked him as female on the ship manifest), child, birth place Moelcerni, Wales

Last Permanent residence: Dolgoch, Wales

Nearest relative in Wales: Mother, J. Jones; Tyncwm, Glandyfe, Wales

Final Destination: Ontario, Oregon

Going to Friend or Relative: Father, David Jones; Juntura, Oregon

Note: Thomas Goronwy Jones b. 1898 Gwarcwmbach, Llancynfelin, Cards., Wales; d. 1961 Burns, Oregon; never married

William Idris Jones b. 1903 Moelcerni, Cards., Wales; d. 1987 Burns, Oregon

-Martha Landers-