Category: Llanelly Wales

  • Epiphany Part II

    Epiphany Part II

    About that Industrial Revolution . . .

    A few months ago, I began researching and preparing to re-open Stories from The Past with a fully fleshed out version of The Second Wife’s Story written written as a series of posts to be prepared for publication by 2027. As I neared the end of 2025, and the holidays approached, I found it necessary to focus on home and family for a few weeks. . I had come to the end of my research topics and was already organizing the very large set of files into chapters and putting details into the timeline. I wasn’t worried, though, by November I only had to tie up a few loose ends and thought I could take my time doing it.

    I planned my new year beginning with my Epiphany post and clarification. The Rebirth of Stories From the Past was set to begin on the Christian Holy Day of Epiphany because the connection between finding something important and the significance of the day were filed in my memory waiting to be fleshed out some January when I would explain the connection. Thanks to the 2025 “Super-flu” which extended into the new year, that post was only partially completed and not in the least well-explained when it automatically posted without my knowledge, a day late.

    Oops.

    To be fair, I was on my third week of battling the aforementioned flu and I still didn’t know I had it. I just thought I had overdone it, bringing on a vestibular migraine that that reused to go away and was steadily getting worse. On top of that, I thought I had caught a bad cold. In fact, on the very day my Epiphany post published, I was in the emergency room with a mindboggling set of symptoms. When you’re that sick, you don’t know to think of course I have the flu!

    So the holidays came and went with their usual fanfare thanks to the fact that I’d prepared well, but The Second Wife’s Story and blogging were left untouched. By the time I knew I had the flu it was too late for all of that. I just figured I’d get caught up when I finally started feeling better and thinking straight.

    That was yesterday; the day I found the accidental Epiphany post.

    You might be wondering what Epiphany has to do with Mary Davis. I’ll have to say a whole lot and not much at all, depending on how you look at it.

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    As far as Mary’s story is concerned, my epiphany was just those two words: Industrial Revolution. It was the sudden realization that Mary’s life was inextricably and intimately linked to the beginning and end of the first of several industrial revolutions. My research following that first epiphany led me down the proverbial rabbit hole, but the continuing epiphanies coming out of that one revelation, led me to understand Mary better, and even more importantly, the human conditions leading the Skeen Family, and later the Davis family, down the Mormon Trail. Six months later I had my story from beginning to end.

    The day of Epiphany showed up as the perfect day to revive Stories From the Past along with a lost tradition, so I focused on that day. Unfortunately my body had other ideas and the day came and went. But I’m back now and only a couple of weeks behind.

    I guess I’ll have to flesh out a new Epiphany post next holiday season. I’m not even sure if it will post to this particular blog. (I have others.) I’ll be sure to link it to Stories From the Past for those who want to follow along.

    As far as the Industrial Revolution and it’s accompanying epiphanies go, I’ll have that list along with my plans for Stories From the Past ready for preview next week.

    Thanks for sticking with me. It’s good to be back!

  • Let’s get this Story Started

    Let’s get this Story Started

    Can I ask for your help?

    I’ve been researching and gathering information about the life of Mary Davis Skeen off and on for several years. Thanks to great record-keeping by Davis and Skeen family genealogists and local historians, I have plenty of information to tell a complete story from beginning to end.

    But Mary Davis Skeen is not my family, and I want to honor her memory as best I can. I have been told by one of her great-grandchildren that Mary could not read or write, so she could not have written her own memoirs. Therefore, your knowledgeable input is the most valuable resource I have, especially if you are related to any of the players in Mary’s story.

    What you will see of Mary’s life is my rough draft of her complete biography. There will be gaps and inaccuracies that you can help me fix. I would love to hear from you especially if you belong to any one of the following categories:

    Descendant/s of

    • Thomas Davies (1816-1899  or Thomas Davis/Davies/David 1790-1865)
    • Mary Davis Skeen (The second wife)
    • Caroline Smart Smith Skeen (The first wife)
    • Abraham O Smoot

    Have family from

    • Carmarthen, Wales
    • Llanelly, Wales
    • Burry Port, Wales
    • Plain City, Utah

    Have family stories (especially written memoirs) of descendants regarding

    • Eisteddfod and the early Mormon Tabernacle Choir
    • Welsh customs, traditions, and recipes
    • LDS church history in Southern Wales
    • Welsh maritime history before 1860
    • 1855 Voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans on HMS Clara Wheeler
    • Mormon Grove, Kansas
    • Abraham O Smoot  missionary experiences in Wales 1850-1855
    • Abraham O Smoot 1856 pioneer company
    • Dry Creek, Deseret Territory (Lehi Utah)
    • Dry Creek water disputes
    • Plain City, Utah founders
    • Measles
    • Small Pox
    • Midwifery in Deseret Territory

    Please remember that I have access to libraries and online resources. What I don’t have is insider knowledge–something that may have come through your ancestors to you. I am especially looking for primary sources but secondary sources can be very helpful too.

    Finally, I want your corrections, suggestions, perspective, praise, and constructive criticism. You can comment below,  send me a private message, or join our Facebook group for extended conversation on the subject.

    Right now, I am putting together Mary’s family and early childhood in Wales for the first chapter to come in February 2020.  Next week I am posting an ancestor landing page for Thomas Davies (b. 1816 Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales – d .1899 Plain City, Utah.)

    Thanks in advance for your interest and input! I hope we can make this a successful community effort.