Many of our members turned out to visit Yr Ysgwrn. It was a great privilege to hear the story by the hearth by Gerald and it gave us an insight into the true impact of the First World War on one rural farm, and therefore we could better understand the impact on many, many more families. Officers from Snowdonia National Park also explained the exciting developments that are planned for Yr Ysgwrn.
This meeting was used to summarise progress so far and to plant the programme for autumn and 2016. The possibility of arranging another day school at Tanybwlch was discussed to share discoveries and attract new members to the group.
We intend to continue to scan. Rhian will return the scanner to Hazel at the National Library and it is planned to supply new equipment in its places as part of the History Hub.
Update on our new website and the recording equipment
Contact needed with Cymru Dros Heddwch to arrange placing the Society of Friends tapestry on their website (CJ)
9 members met at the Dolgellau Record Office for a workshop 10.30-12.30
Some could not come due to the start of the tourism season.
Dai gave some ideas for group work for those who did not have relatives who went to the First World War. It was felt that we need a theme for people to research from home. The following were suggested: the history of the hospital for officers at Nannau, Belgian Refugees who came to the area (especially to Barmouth). The Society has sponsored the placing of copies of the Barmouth Advertiser on the web and these can be used as sources.
We made an early start by scanning the cover of the programme for the unveiling of the Dolgellau war memorial. Studying this on a large screen enabled us to discuss the implications involved of placing similar items onto our website. It also helped us to start formulating a protocol for our work and gave everyone the opportunity to contribute ideas and comments. We feel we have grown in self-confidence and vision. Catherine James spoke to us about her father, Jenkin W. James, using several documents and certificates to illustrate his painful experiences as a Conscientious Objector. Mr James subsequently became a widely respected head teacher of Bala Grammar School for Boys.
We will continue to develop our work, supporting the archives and encouraging people to deposit original documents in our collection there.
The same members supported the second workshop. We discussed our specific objectives thoroughly before listening to Geraint Vaughan Jones who spoke about the experiences of his two grandfathers. Geraint described some of their moving experiences and we studied a number of related photographs and documents. In doing so, we discovered some of the useful sources of information and official records which are available to us during our researches.
There followed a fascinating discussion which led us to consider our next steps and what we hope to achieve.
We intend to collect and scan family histories and materials connected to the Great War and to place them on our pages in The People’s Collection. Twelve members and three visitors came together to the Meirionnydd Record Office for a day of training by Hazel Thomas and Rhian Davies, from The People’s Collection. Among our guests was Craig Owen, newly appointed director of the national project, ‘Wales for Peace, based at the Temple of Peace, Cardiff. We hope to link part of our work on their website, in conjunction with The People’s Collection website. Our work leans towards remembrance and lessons learned as we continue to research into some of the effects of the war on Merioneth.
We experienced a busy and intensive day of training as we learned about copyright laws and how to scan materials to specific standards. We are very grateful for this effective training and for the encouragement to continue in a professional manner.