Last week I saw a story in the Daily Post saying that the pier in Trefor in Llyn was in danger of being demolished which brought to mind a story about my grandfather. Thomas Roberts, from Llithfaen, was a joiner by trade and spent some 20 years working in Liverpool before he sensibly or fortuitously returned to Llithfaen in 1939 just before the outbreak of war. He found work with the quarry company in Trefor. In those days the pier was in frequent use with ships calling to be loaded with granite. I remember as a small boy growing up in post war bomb damaged Liverpool that the highlight of a trip into town on the overhead railway along the docks was to see that one dock always contained ships from the Penmaenmawr Granite Company. They had collected granite from the quarries at Penmaenmawr, Trefor and Nant Gwtheyrn and it made me think about my grandfather working in the quarries.

One day my grandfather was doing some repair work on the pier and fell into the sea. He couldn’t swim so his workmates threw out a lifebelt and managed to pull him out. When they pulled him out they amazingly found that he was still holding on to his hammer! In those days craftsmen were responsible for supplying their own tools and they took great care of their tools. Clearly my grandfather’s fear of loosing his hammer was greater than his fear of drowning!

Its little stories like this that makes the pictures that we have of a person interesting. On reading the story in the Daily Post I realised that I hadn’t recorded this story. It’s one of the stories that have stuck in my mind as I remember him showing me his water-stained National Identity Card which had been in his pocket at the time that he fell into the sea. But if I don’t record the story then it will be lost for ever. Needless to say that I’ve now done this but this has brought home to me the need to record important and interesting stories otherwise they will be lost and this is such an important part of passing on our family history to future generations. I very much hope that the Trefor pier will be saved.

New ITV series, “The Great British Body” – volunteers required

Following an enquiry to the Gwynedd Family History Society I made contact last week with Molly Gilbert who’s working on a new ITV series called “The Great British Body”. The objective is to do some research on the characteristics of British people and to investigate similarities. They are trying to gather together people who can trace their ancestors within one county and they made enquiries about the old Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire. If your ancestors to great grandparent stage were all born in either of these counties then you qualify to take part in the programme.

The intention is to invite you to one of a number of locations throughout Britain and they will then measure you, weigh you, take DNA samples etc. They’d also like to hear of any interesting stories that you may have about your family history. The series is to be hosted by Trina and Susannah and it could be that they will interview you if your story is considered to be sufficiently interesting.

Unfortunately, the nearest event to us is in Birmingham on Saturday 19th April but they will be organising a coach to take you there. If you’re interested and would like more information I suggest that you contact Molly Gilbert on 020 7261 3076 or email greatbritishbody@itv.com. They will ask you to send details of your family tree and some photos.

BBC Radio Wales “Look Up Your Genes” Roadshow

'Look Up Your Genes' is BBC Radio Wales' long-running family history programme (a new series of which starts in April). On March 15th, they will be holding a Family History Information day at Dolgellau Library between 9.30am and 4.00pm. Genealogist Cat Whiteaway (who you may have seen on BBC Wales TV, researching the family histories of people like Cilla Black, Susan Sarandon, and Donny Osmond) will give a 20 minute talk about how to start researching your family history (aimed at beginners) - this talk is then repeated throughout the day at half past the hour until 2.30pm. After each talk, members of the public will be allocated a computer and researcher, who will then help them with some research, depending on how far they have already got. Cat will be on hand to advise on more complicated searches, as well as members of Gwynedd Archive Services who have kindly offered to help.

I remember going to a similar event in Caernarfon a few years ago and it was very interesting. I remember being interviewed about a particular event in my family history and the interview subsequently being broadcast in one of the programmes in the radio series. If you have an interesting story, and would be prepared to be interviewed, then contact Louise Booker on 02920 322393. Otherwise, you can simply drop in to this free event at any time during the day but if you wish to use a computer you must pre-book by calling the BBC Information Line on 08703 500 700.

The Gwynedd Family History Society meetings for March are:

Bangor, 4 March (first Tuesday of each month) 7.00pm at the Quakers Meeting Hall, Dean Street: Venessa Fields, “The five Vincents of Llanfairfechan”

Caernarfon, 27 March (last Thursday of each month) 7.00pm at the The Library, Lôn Pafiliwn: Geraint Jones, “Hanes Nant Gwrtheyrn”

Dolgellau, 13 March (second Thursday of each month) 7.00pm at the Royal Ship Hotel: Hywel Roberts, “Morwyn Glasgwm Hall”

Llandudno, 11 March (second Monday of each month) 7.00pm at The Library, Mostyn Street: Margaret Dunn, “Dating old houses in Snowdonia”.

Llangefni, 20 Mawrth (third Thursday of each month) 7.15pm at Capel Smyrna, Ffordd Glanhwfa: Stephen Binks of Western Front Battlefield Tours “Wales and the Great War’

Pwllheli, 21 March (third Friday of each month) 7.00pm at Capel Seion, Lon Dywod: Dr Hywel Wyn Owen, “Llen Cynefin”

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