24th February 2010
The British Prime Minister has apologised for the U.K.'s role in sending more than 130,000 to the former colonies of Canada & Australia. Britain is the only country in the world with a sustained history of child migration. Only Britain has used child migration as a significant part of its child care strategy over a period of four centuries.
The reality of this policy was to remove children, some as young as three years old, from their homes, from their mothers and fathers, from all that was familiar to them, and to ship them thousands of miles away from their home country to institutions in distant lands within the Commonwealth. Many of these children were removed without their parents' knowledge or consent.

One such young man was Ernest Gronow born in Hendon, Middlesex in 1894. Ernest set sail on the 9th Sept 1909 from Liverpool on the SS Corsican, bound for Quebec. He arrived on the 17th September 1909, his final destination Ottawa, Ontario. He travelled along with 16 other young boys between the ages of 11-15 under the Catholic Emigration Association.

According to the Census taken on the 31st March 1901 Ernest Gronow was a inmate of the Guardians of the poor, of the Hendon Union Schools. [RG13/5336 folio 127. page 4] His birthplace is recorded as unknown. At the same time a Mary Gronow, probably his sister is also in the same institution. I don't know what happened to Ernest or what his life became in Canada, or even if he stayed in Canada, if anyone knows what became of him please get in touch. According to the 1911 Canadian Census a Ernest Gronow was living in Labelle Quebec.

A trip to Chester Record Office proved very interesting in regards to a very early ancestor. While looking at the Church warden accounts for St. Mary-on-the-Hill, Chester I came across the following entry for Easter 1562-1563 were payments are made for 'kneeling places' by one Richard Gronow.
This is a very good early reference to an Elizabethan Gronow, that I have found. More research is needed to establish the origins of this gentleman.

{The Parish of St.Mary-on-the-Hill, Chester, extends beyond the city boundaries, and includes the township of Gloverstone, which is wholly within the city, and those of Upton, Moston, Claverton and Marleston-cum-Lache in Broxton Hundred, and Little Mollington in Wirral Hundred.}

Charles Grunnow, Coach driver, Bromborough. Cheshire.

Birkenhead County Magistrates Court
Thursday Spetember 13th before Messrs S.Stitt & F. Thorneley

CRUELTY TO A HORSE.- Charles Grunnow, cab driver of Bromborough, was fined 15s., with costs for working a horse with open sores on it's back. The animal was also in a very weak condition.
(Liverpool Mercury, Friday September 14th 1888; Issue 12693)

Liverpool Court of Passage.
A sitting of this court commenced on Tuesday at St. George's Hall, Mr T. W. Baylis, Q.C. presiding.

Grunnow V. Forsyth.- In this case, which was of no public interest, Charles Grunnow, car proprietor, Bromborough, Cheshire, sought for the return of a mare, or it's value and damages for the detention against John Forsyth, described as a horse jobber, Dryden Street, Liverpool. The Jury, after a long hearing, found for the plaintiff, awarding him £23 as the value of the mare, and £7 as damages for the wrongful detention.
(Liverpool Mercury, ThursdayOctober 15th 1891: Issue 13658)


Liverpool Police Court
Thursday November 12th, before Mr W.J. Stewart.

Curious Charge of Forgery:
Charles Grunnow of Bromborough, Cheshire appeared in answer to a summons taken out by William Bailey, charging him with forgery. The charge arose out of the sale of a horse by Bailey, who is a horse dealer, to the defendant on August 17th last. It appears that on that date Grunnow purchased a bay gelding from the plaintiff for £18 and the sum of 6s on the spot. A receipt was given leaving a balance of £17 14s. Some time after Grunnow came back evidently dissatisfied with his purchase, and made some arrangements about a black mare. An action was brought by Bailey in the court of Passage for the £17 14s and the jury found for the defendant. The receipt was produced there, and it appeared to have been altered so as to make it seem as though it was in respect to the black mare and not to the geilding the figures £18 and the word "bay gelding" having been scratched out, and the words "Black mare" subsituted. The defendant explained in the Court of Passage that his daughter aged eleven, had written in the words.- Mr Stewart held that there was not a case for a jury, and dismissed the summons.
(Liverpool Mercury, Friday November 13th 1891; Issue 13683)

(The Court of Passage represents the civil jurisdiction of the medieval borough court. By the eighteenth century the “Court of Liverpool”, “Borough Court”, “Mayor’s Court” or “Court of Passage” had gradually confined itself, under the last name, to civil suits. The Court of Passage was abolished in 1971 by the Courts Act 1971.)

Congratulations to
Owen J. Gronow
on his recent promotion to
Leading Junior Cadet
with
T.S. BLACKCAP
Best wishes from all the family.

Congratulations to Nathan & Allison Goronwy
On the birth of their daughter
Olivia Helen Goronwy
on the 10th of September 2009
Forster, New South Wales Australia.

Take a look at the new social networking site for genealogists "GenealogyWise" at www.genealogywise.com
A group page has been added for Gronow & it's variants. A good looking site with plenty of stories & videos of a family history nature, I find it much easier than Facebook or Twitter.

Above shows a graph, for the Census years 1841-1911 giving a guide to the numbers of male and female occupants for England & Wales. The females seem to out number the males in most of the census, nothing changed there then.

A wealthy landowner has just completed the largest folly to be built in Britain for at least a century. The 65ft-tall structure on the 7,500-acre Rushmore Estate, Dorset, has been built in the style of an Indian mogul gateway, topped by five large copper domes.

It was originally designed to conceal five mobile telephone masts. When the phone company, O2, pulled out of the project, the estate’s owner, William Gronow-Davis, decided to go ahead and build it at his own expense. By definition a folly is a structure with no practical purpose usually built to enhance a view or create a feature in the landscape.

In the case of Mr Gronow-Davis’s folly it is a focal point at the end of a mile long avenue of trees. The vista can be seen from window of his drawing room.

Mr Gronow-Davis says it finishes off his garden and adds to the spectacular vista from his mansion. Mr Gronow-Davis chose an Indian theme for the folly because he was born on the sub-continent. He is a descendent of General Augustus Pitt Rivers who inherited the estate in the 19th century, He said: “It is unusual and looks so beautiful from my house.

“From my drawing room you look out onto the gardens along an avenue of trees and fountains and about a mile away is the folly. It is wonderful and just finishes the garden off.

The folly is made of concrete that has been rendered in lime and sections of the four pillars have been washed in red ochre lime. The base is made out of Turkish limestone and has the family’s crest coated on it along with the four points of the compass.

From The Times July 9, 2009 Simon de Bruxelles

In memory of
Aubrey George Gronow
born 29th January 1911
Seymour, Victoria Australia.
son of Samuel & Catherine Jane Gronow of Oakleigh, Victoria.
Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer 418104.
Flying a Mitchell Liberator
No.45 Atlantic Transport Group
1943-1945 No.160 Squadron Bhopal, India.

Awards:
Burma Star,1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal.

Recently acquired certificates

Marriage:
John Gronow & Eliza Wright, 1869. Wesleyan Methodist Church Creswick. Victoria. Australia.

This is an important gateway ancestor for a lot of Australian Gronow's in Victoria. Thanks go to Judith Evans for her help on obtaining this information.

Reported on this Day in 1893.

District News, Cardiff.

DEATH FROM SCALDING, Mr E. B. Reece (coroner) held an inquest at the Town Hall, Cardiff on Friday evening, on the body of Annie Mary Gronow aged 3 years of 56 Letty Street, Cathays. The evidence showed that about six weeks ago the deceased was scalded by the upsetting of a bucket of boiling water, and the child died on Wednesday from injuries received. After the evidence of Dr. Shepard the jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental Death'.

(Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Saturday, June 17, 1893; Issue 7512)

All index entries for Wales from the 1911 Census have now been added to the English counties previously extracted. Approx 690 entries, including variants Gronnow & Goronwy. The vast majority of families have been grouped into their households. With the all important information from 1901-1912 I can at last sort out the remaining births for this period into their respective families. I expect this to take a month or so.

Congratulations to Brightsolid for their performance so far.
http://www.1911census.co.uk

Using the General Register Office indexes for the period 1984-2005 the graph above shows the percentage of ages of people who died in England & Wales. Click map to enlarge.

Using the General Register Office indexes for the period 1866-1920 the graph above shows the percentage of ages of people who died in England & Wales. Click map to enlarge.

Recently acquired certificates:
Births.
John Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1853 Bridgend Vol.11a page 304.
Marriages.
David Gronow Dec Qtr. 1863 Bridgend Vol.11a page 672.
Mary Gronnow Sept Qtr. 1870 Chester Vol.8a page 527.
Ann Gronnow June Qtr. 1888 Chester Vol.8a page 542.

Recently acquired certificates:
Births.
John Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1852 Bridgend Vol.11a page 301.
Marriages.
David Gronon June Qtr. 1857 Scarbro. Vol.9d page 465.
David Goronwy March Qtr. 1874 Merthyr T. Vol.11a page 692.

In rememberance:
Mathew "Aussie" Gronow.
September 21, 1929 - October 28, 2008

Aussie ""a true-blue military man"", suffered a stroke and has lost his battle
with Alzheimer's disease. He is predeceased by his daughter Gaye Tara
and is survived by his wife of 51 years Margaret ""Peggy"", daughter
Joye Andrea, granddaughter Amber Sage, twin brother John (Sue) and
many nieces and nephews. Matthew served with the Royal Australian
Regiment in the Korean War, RCAF (NATO) in Europe and with the
Canadian Armed Forces (UN Peacekeeping) in Cyprus and Egypt. Well
respected by his peers, Aussie was a member of the Royal Canadian
Legion serving as past President of Branch 37. He was proud to have
served as past President of the Canadian Korean Veteran's Association.
(First published in the Victoria Times-Colonist on 10/30/2008)

Recently acquired certificates:
Births.
Grenville James Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1902 Neath Vol.11a page 966
William Gronow March Qtr. 1905 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 734.
Marriages.
John Grennow March Qtr. 1873 Newport M. Vol.11a page 196.

I'm always on the look out for story's that involve our surname, growing up I was always being asked if I were German or Polish, because for some reason people always associated it with this variant rather than it's Welsh one. While searching the 1911 Census I came across a daughter whom I was previously not able to fit into a definite tree, looking forward I noticed that she appeared to marry twice. Upon investigation I came across this information which shows what extremes can happen especially in times of heightened security.
The names have been changed to protect the families from any embarrassment, and even the book does not name the Gronow concerned.
The following is taken from the book "In the Highest Degree Odious" by A.W.Brian Simpson.
"One case of error which is documentable received considerable publicity: it involved ********* who was British by birth and the Borough Surveyor of Guildford. He was detained on the 28th May as 'of hostile associations'; he was held in Brixton until 28th October spending up to twenty-three hours a day in solitary. The background was that 'his colleagues have informed against him and the local populace are demanding his internment.
"His wife is said to be of German extraction, and his intimate relations with a German girl have aroused the suspicions of the police" MI5 found that his wife was Welsh not German & that his association with aliens and visits to Germany were entirely innocent. Sadly his wife did indeed divorce him. In March 1941 he joined the RAF and became a Squadron Leader.

I remember a similar thing my father told me regarding his parents during WW1. The day after anti-German riots broke out in Birkenhead police tried to protect the first victim who had a butcher's shop at Watson Street but it was wrecked after police were overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Riots lasted for a couple of days and pubs were closed. Some luckless victims were not German related. Fried fish dealer Thomas Lincoln, of Price Street, had his shop smashed up by a mob made up mostly of women and young boys. They looted everything after someone said he had sold a fish to a German!

Monumental Inscriptions added for the following parishes. All entries fitted neatly into existing trees.

Bettws, St.David
Bridgend, Newcastle Hill Unitarian
Bridgend, Ruhamah Welsh Baptist
Bridgend, Tabernacle Congregational
Caerphilly, St. Martin
Church Village, Salem Welsh Baptist
Coity, St. Mary
Coychurch, St. Crallo
Gower (Old Walls) Ebenezer Calvinistic Methodist Chapel
Laleston, St. David
Llandeilo Talybont, St. Teilo on the Marsh
Llangynwyd, St.Cynwyd
Llanharan, Bethlehem Congregational
Nolton, Bridgend St. Mary
Pennard, St.Mary
Rhymney, St. David
St. Brides Minor, St. Bride
St.George-super-Ely, St. George
Treoes, Saran Chapel
Wenvoe, St. Mary.

All entries added for the current available counties from the 1911 Census. Looking forward to the release of the Welsh districts which should clear up a few families for the period 1901-1912. Most of the transcriptions have been correct, the only thing I have found so far (with what little is available) is the much more use of second names used to describe children in the family.

On this day in 1878

At Bridgend Petty Sessions on Saturday (before the Rev. C.R. Knight and Col. Turbervill), Enoch Gronow, farmer, Drehir Farm was charged by another farmer named William Butler, Caegarw, near Brynmenin, with stealing five turnips from his field. Mr Thomas Stockwood Jnr. appeared for the defendant, who was dismissed, the bench considering the evidence against him rather contradictory. (Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales.) Monday November 18th 1878 Issue 2974)

Enoch Gronow was the son of Thomas & Mary Gronow of Drehir Farm, Llangeinor. According to the 1871 Census Enoch is living with his parents on the farm,(described as a Blacksmith) living next door is a Thomas Buttler of Caegarw a Bailiff. (RG10/5414 Folio 117 page 8.)

"Lest we Forget"

Let us remember not only the fallen on this, the ninetieth anniversary of the Armistice, which brought the First World War to an end, but all those that entered into that conflict.
The list below is a combination of names taken from the Medal Roll, Service & Pension Records of men who served in the Army during 1914-1918.
If you can add information to those on the list, please leave a comment in the space provided.

Capt. Stephen Gronow 1872-1944

1 of 4 children, Stephen was born at Llandeloy near Solva, Pembrokeshire, the son of John & Frances (nee Nicholas) Gronow. When both his parents died young the orphaned boy was cared for by Capt. Thomas Evans of the Black Horse, Dinas Cross. Thomas was Master of the Mispah. Stephen’s brother John died whilst on his 1st voyage as 2nd mate aboard the Mispah. Stephen became Master of the following vessels: Ascania, Volodia, Saxonia, Valacia, Vardulia, he was also an officer on the Aquitania.
During WW1 he was mentioned in despatches for good services whilst employed on transport duties in the Dardanelles(Times 1st June 1916 & London Gazette 31st May 1916) He was awarded a Silver vase by Cunard Co. and Lloyd’s silver medal in connection with the loss of the “Vinovia” of which he was the Master. (Anglo-Bolivian was purchased by Cunard in 1916 and renamed Vinovia, she was sunk when on passage from New York to London on the 19th December 1917 8 miles south of Wolf Rock by U-105. Torpedoed at 3:30pm without warning and sunk by submarine, with 9 lives lost) Stephen was awarded Lloyd’s Medal for meritorious service on the 13th Feb 1918 for his extraordinary exertions with his encounter with U-105.
He also invented & patented (No.20,753) Improvements in and connected with the Storage and Lowering of Ships Boats.
Stephen married his wife Jennie Sharpe in West Derby Registry Office in 1903. And both now lie together in St.Michael’s church, Nannerch Flintshire. Wales.

On this day in 1898

At Pontypridd Police Court on Wednesday Nicholas Gronow a commercial traveller, Llanbradach Street Cardiff was charged with forging a cheque for £20 and embezzling the sums of £20 & £2 18s moneys belonging to his employers messrs Corfield Son & Co Cardiff. Evidence was given which alleged that the defendant obtained a cheque for £20 from John Williams Builder of Aberdare. Gronow was committed to the assizes on these charges bail being allowed himself in £100 and two sureties of £50.

Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Wednesday, November 2, 1898; Issue 9187

Nicholas it would seem stayed in the shadows, no Birth, Death or Census entry can be found for him (unless you know different?)

Goronwy
Births, Marriages & Deaths added for the period 1837-2006 for the surname variant GORONWY & the variant added to the GOONS listing

Congratulations & Best wishes

To Russell & Sarah Gronow
on the birth of their son
George Gronow
The newest addition to the family weighing in at 10lb 13oz (4.91 Kg) and born at 1:24 pm on the 15th September 2008
http://gronow.co.uk/Photo/recent.php

Recently acquired certificates:

MARRIAGES

James Gronow June Qtr. 1875 Liverpool Vol.8b page 135.
Mary Lydia Grono Sept. Qtr. 1881 Poplar Vol.1c page 1055.
Martha Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1888 Liverpool Vol.8b page 227.
Emmeline Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1891 Liverpool Vol.8b page 26.
Margaret Gronow March Qtr.1900 Liverpool Vol.8b page 11.
Edwin George Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1903 Liverpool Vol.8b page 27.
Robert Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1911 Liverpool Vol.8b page 46.
Edith Winifred Mary Gronow June Qtr. Wrexham Vol.8a page 877.

An interesting new research project has got underway “The Soldier in later Medieval England” which can be found at

http://medievalsoldier.org/index.php

It records Gronow ap Yeuan an archer under the command of Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge, dated France 1375 (Ref. TNA-E101-34-3)

On this day in 1876:

'A WELSH MILITIAMAN SHOT'

At the County Magistrates' Court, Wrexham on Saturday, Charles Gronnow, gamekeeper, was remanded, charged with shooting Robert Jones, militiaman, in Cefn Park on Friday night. The wounded man was taken to the infirmary. Gronnow alleges that the affair was the result of an accident, a scuffle having arisen in consequence of Jones trespassing.

Liverpool Mercury (Liverpool, England), Monday, May 22, 1876; Issue 8844

Recently acquired certificates:

MARRIAGES
Jenkin Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1839 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.XXVI page 459.

Databases added for Gronow's appearing in:

British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920
This database contains the surviving service records of non-commissioned officers and other ranks who served in WWI and did not re-enlist in the Army prior to World War II. The type of information contained in these records includes: name of solider, age, birthplace, occupation, marital status, and regiment number.
(Contains 9 entries)

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

The Medal Index Cards collection is the most complete listing of individuals who fought in the British Army in WWI, containing approximately 90% of soldiers’ names. The Index Cards were created in order to keep in one place details about a soldier’s medal entitlement.
(Contains 50 entries)

On this day in 1891

Pontypridd (Before Mr J. Williams, Stipendiary, and Mr L.G. Lenox) Licensing Offence.
Gwilym Gronow, Landlord of the Queen's Hotel, Penycoedcae, was summoned for having his house open for the sale of beer, on Sunday the 29th March. Two men from Pontypridd were found on the premises, having been supplied with beer. The landlord in reply to questions of the police officer, stated that he did not know the men in question came from Pontypridd. This being his first offence, he was fined £1, and a similar fine was imposed on each of the two men found on the premises.

(Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Thursday, April 9, 1891; Issue 6829)

On this day in 1890......
"A sad case of suicide was discovered at Grangetown on Wednesday morning, Mrs Gwen Gronow, the wife of a seaman, living at 32, Knole Street was shortly after 9.am., found, by another inmate of the house, named Isabel Pearson, hanging from one of the rafters in the ceiling of the washhouse. Mrs Pearson called in Eli Trim, of No. 18, in the same street, and when he had cut the rope he saw that the woman had been dead for some hours. This has been corroborated by medical testimony. The sister of the deceased, Mrs Norman, who lives a few doors off, stated to Sergt. Murley at the police station that she could attribute the committing of so rash an act only to the fact that Mrs Gronow had been for the past eight or nine years suffering from a chronic affection in her leg, and that latterly it had caused such acute pain as to have affected her mind"
(The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post (Bristol, England), Saturday, April 5, 1890; Issue 13072.)

Death registered June Qtr. 1890 Gwen Gronow aged 37 Cardiff Vol.11a page 159.
Gwen (nee Lloyd) was the wife of Evan Gronow.

Recent Acquisitions:

A series of postcards dated between 1917-1925, sent from various members of the family of Enock Gronow and his wife Alice Ann Bowen of 109 Clive Road Cardiff.

Recent acquisitions.

National Library of Wales ex 1616
A small group of papers, 1840-64, relating to the army career of Daniel Gronow of the parish of Llangan, Co. Glamorgan.

Troop Sergeant Major Thomas Gronow 1819 - 1885 (2nd Dragoon Guards.)

Embarked for the East Indies 25th July 1857, Landed 27th November 1857.

He was at the Siege and Capture of Lucknow March 1858.

At the Action of Nawabganj 13th June 1858

At the Action of Bhinga Jungle 27th April 1859

At the Action of Jerwah Pass 23rd May 1859.

Holocaust Memorial Day
27th January 2008
This marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

GRONOW, Viktor
page 894/Fa. 18 Jul 1925 born Kiew Funduklewska 68 No.35584 Sch.R. ( literally, protected prisoner, but really simply prisoner. Sch is often followed by one or two letters, e.g. Sch. P. (Polish prisoner) or Sch. P.J. (Polish Jewish prisoner).
arrived. 02 Sep 1942 to. 25 Apr 1944 Natzw. zck. 11 Aug 1944 Natyw. liberated (at end of war). Dachau.
(Taken from Dachau Concentration Camp Records)

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all you researchers out there.

Another busy year ahead, hopefully going to tie up some major branches this year. At the end of last year the GRUNNOW family was finally slotted into place, after 10 years of research. To all of those that have been in contact over the past year good luck in your researches. To those people who contacted me just before Christmas, I did send replies, so please do get in contact again. Hopefully this year you might like to make more comments on the blog, just click the link. If you would like to advertise your research or post your interests do please get in touch, I'd be only to willing to put it on the Blog pages. If you can think of something you would like to see, let me know that as well.

Best wishes, and a peaceful New year to you all.

Parish records added to Database:

Aberdare Ebenezer, Nebo, Salem Llangyfelach, SS .David & Cyfelach
& Hen-dy-Cwrdd Llangyfelach, Mynyddbach Cong.
& Tabernacle - with members Llangynwyd, St. Cynwyd
Aberdare, St. Elvan Llanharan, SS. Julius & Aaron
Aberdare, St. Fagans Llanmadoc, St. Madoc
Aberdare Chapels Llanrhidian, SS.Rhidian & Illtyd
Aberkenfig, (Tondu), St. John Llantrisant, SS.Illtyd,Gwynno,Dyfodwg
Barry, St. Nicholas Llantwit Fardre, St. Illtyd
Barry. Porthkerry Road, Wesleyan Llantwit Major, St. Illtud
& Cadoxton Wesleyan Methodist Church Loughor, St .Michael
Bettws, St. David Newton Nottage, St. John
Bishopston, St.Teilo Nicholaston, St. Nicholas
Bridgend Tabernacle Independent & Penmaen, St. John Baptist
& Ruhamah Particular Baptist Nolton - Chapel of Ease to Coity
Cadoxton-j-Neath, St. Catwg Oxwich, St. Illtyd
Cardiff, All Saints Oystermouth, All Saints
Cardiff, St Andrews Pennard, St. Mary
Cheriton, St. Cadoc Penrice, St. Andrew
Coity, St. Mary Pentyrch, St .Catwg
Colwinston, St .Michael Peterston-super-Montem, St. Peter
Coychurch, St .Crallo / & Bethlehem Welsh Congl.
Glyncorrwg, St. John Pontypridd St Catherine
Glyntaff, St. Mary Porteynon, St. Cattwg
Ilston, St Illtyd Porthkerry, St .Curig
Llandyfodwg, St. Tyfodwg Rhossili St Mary the Virgin
Llangan, St. Canna Reynoldston, St. George
Llangennith, St. Cennydd St. Brides Major, St. Bridget
Llangeinor, St. Cein St. Brides Minor, St. Bride
Llangiwg, St. Ciwg St. Brides-super-Ely, St.Bride
& Pontardawe Chapel of Ease St. Lythans, St. Bleiddian
Llangyfelach, SS .David & Cyfelach
Llangyfelach, Mynyddbach Cong.
Llangynwyd, St. Cynwyd
Llanharan, SS. Julius & Aaron
Llanmadoc, St. Madoc
Llanrhidian, SS.Rhidian & Illtyd
Llantrisant, SS.Illtyd,Gwynno,Dyfodwg
Llantwit Fardre, St. Illtyd
Llantwit Major, St. Illtud
Loughor, St .Michael
Newton Nottage, St. John
Nicholaston, St. Nicholas
& Penmaen, St. John Baptist
Nolton - Chapel of Ease to Coity
Oxwich, St. Illtyd
Oystermouth, All Saints
Pennard, St. Mary
Penrice, St. Andrew
Pentyrch, St .Catwg
Peterston-super-Montem, St. Peter
& Bethlehem Welsh Congl.
Pontypridd St Catherine
Porteynon, St. Cattwg
Porthkerry, St .Curig
Rhossili St Mary the Virgin
Reynoldston, St. George
St. Brides Major, St. Bridget
St. Brides Minor, St. Bride
St. Brides-super-Ely, St.Bride
St. Lythans, St. Bleiddian
St. Mary Hill, St. Mary
Wenvoe, St. Mary
Ystradyfodwg, St. John Baptist

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

that is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed.Rupert Brooke (1887 - 1915)

Arthur Gronow
1894 -10th July, 1916Private.(17053) 11th Battalion Cheshire Regiment.Loving son of William Gronow & Martha Davies & beloved Husband of Hettie Howells.
Remembrance at Thiepval Memorial, FRANCE.

Charles Gronow
1896 - 12th November, 1916Private.(14164) 5th Battalion South Wales Borderers.
Loving son of William Gronow & Ellen Draddy.
Remembrance at Pozieres British Cemetery. FRANCE.

Arthur Gronow
1886 - 8th February, 1916Gunner.(25795) 63rd Trench Mortar Battery. Royal Field Artillery.Loving son of Evan Gronow & Eliza Rose.
Remembrance at Bethune Town Cemetery. FRANCE.

William Edmund Gronow
1888 - 11th August, 1917
Rifleman. (5027) 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. (Formerly, 11073 Lancers).Loving son of William Gronow & Rhoda Williams.
Remembrance at Ypres Memorial. BELGIUM.

Arthur Gronnow
1896 - 20th February, 1917Private. (48575) 12th Battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment.Loving son of Robert Gronnow & Sarah Jane Thompson.
Remembrance at Thiepval Memorial, FRANCE.

Sydney Reginald Gronow
1887 - 26th January, 1917Private.(STK/2207) 12th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).Loving son of Enoch Gronow & Alice Ann Bowen.
Remembrance at Loos Memorial. FRANCE.

Charles David Gronow
1893 - 18th April, 1918Temp.2nd Lieut. 55th Company Machine Gun Corps.
Loving son of Enoch Gronow & Alice Ann Bowen.
Remembrance at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. FRANCE.

Bertram Evan Gronow
1896 - 28th May, 1917
Gunner.(810472) D. Battery. 110th Brigade. Royal Field Artillery.Loving son of Evan Gronow & Eliza Rose.
Remembrance at Westhof Farm Cemetery. BELGIUM.

Richard Stanley Gronow
1893 - 4th July, 1918
Lance Sergeant.(290054) 1st/7th Battalion Welsh Regiment.Loving son of William Gronow & Ellen Draddy & beloved Husband of Winifred Austin.
Remembrance at Bridgend Cemetery. South WALES.

Bert Gronow
1940, 28th May
Lance Corporal.(4072707) 8th Battalion King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster).Son of George William Greenow & Margaret Jones, Husband of Violet Harris
Remembrance at Adinkerke Military Cemetery, BELGIUM.

Kenneth Gronow
1916 - 28th November, 1943Sergeant. (S/159171) Royal Army Service Corps.Loving son of Benjamin Gronow & Ellen Thornton.
Remembrance at Heliopolis War Cemetery. EGYPT.

Kenneth Edward Gronow
1925 - 25th July, 1944
Sergeant. (1890169) (Air Gunner.) 622 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit.Loving son of William Gronow & Beatrice Pavey.
Remembrance at Essey, Les-Nancy Churchyard. FRANCE.

Below is information about a few unsung heroes, if you have any family members you wish to add please contact me.

Robert Gronow
1921 - 1993
RAF Servicing Commando
Loving son of Harold Russell Gronow & Rose Williams & Beloved husband of Edith Broadhurst.

The RAF Servicing Commandos have received scant recognition from those who write about the Second World War RAF history, and yet they made a vital contribution to keeping the front- line aircraft flying at key times and in several theatres of war. On the 22nd January 1942 Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma, when he was Commodore Combined operations, recommended that a number of Servicing Commandos be created within the R.A.F. In due course 12 units were formed in the United Kingdom, together with a further 3 units in the Middle East Command. They comprised a total of some 2400 Officers, N.C.Os and other ranks, mostly volunteers, and all of them skilled tradesmen capable of working on all types of aircraft to keep them flying under all kinds of conditions. (Medals awarded: The 1939-1945 Star, The France & Germany Star, The Africa Star, The Italy Star, The Defence Medal & The War Medal.)

Edwin Gronow
1881-1940
Private. (6268) 2nd Battalion Welch Regiment
Loving son of William Gronow & Ellen Draddy & Beloved husband of Katie Bronwen Lloyd.

Edwin Gronow joined the Welch Regiment in 1900 in Bridgend. He was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal, with the following 3 State Clasps: Cape Colony: Awarded to troops serving in Cape Colony between 11 October 1899 and 31 May 1902. Orange Free State: Awarded to troops serving in Orange River Colony any time from 28 February 1900 to 21 May 1902. Transvaal: Awarded to those troops serving the Transvaal at any time between 24 May 1900 and 31 May 1902, who received no other clasp for action in the Transvaal. He was awarded the Kings South Africa Medal, with 2 bars; South Africa 1901: Awarded for service during 1901 towards the required service of 18 months; South Africa 1902: Awarded to those who served during 1902.
Edwin was part of the BEF, and he obtained the 1914 Star campaign medal - also commonly referred to as the Mons Star - was awarded by British authorities to those who served with either the British or Indian Expeditionary Force in France or Belgium between the outbreak of war in August 1914 and 22/23 November 1914. Most recipients of the 1914 Star - 378,000 were issued in total - comprised the so-called 'Old Contemptibles', i.e. members of the pre-war British Army;

Thomas David Gronow MC
1890 – 1977
2nd Lieutenant C. Company 2nd Battalion Border Regiment.
Loving son of Cornelius Gronow & Mary Jane Hughes Beloved husband of Violet Maud Reynolds

Thomas Gronow was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – “For conspicuous gallantry on the 16th May 1915 at Festubert when he assisted to carry back several wounded men into safety under heavy fire and later when all the regular bomb throwers had been killed, he with great coolness and courage, used bombs to his best ability” London Gazette, 5th August 1915.
He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry for his actions on the 20 January 1917 – “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out a dangerous daylight reconnaissance of the enemy’s position under heavy fire, and brought back most valuable information” – London Gazette 3rd March 1917. He was awarded a Bar to his MC on the 27th February 1917 –“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading an attack against a village. Although his clothing was twice pierced by machine gun bullets, he himself drove back an enemy machine gun team which was holding up the advance”-London gazette 17th April 1917.

In Memoriam

Gaye Tara Gronow

30th September 1957
Trier, Bitburg. West Germany.
24th August 2007

Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

I corresponded many times over the last 7 years with Gaye, who had a passionate interest in her family history and although at the time she was going through a battle with Cancer, she was always very positive and uplifting in her spirit. Although the family originally came from Wales, then settled in Australia and then ultimately to Canada, Gaye was interested in all aspects of her family connections. She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. Gaye is survived by her daughter Amber.

New database added for Gronow's appearing in:

British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920
This database contains service records of non-commissioned officers and other ranks who were discharged from the Army and claimed disability pensions for service in WWI. These were also men who did not re-enlist in the Army prior to World War II.

These records contain a variety of forms, including:
Attestation forms - the form completed by the individual on enlistment
Medical history forms
Casualty forms
Disability statements
Regimental conduct sheets
Awards
Information available in these records includes:
Name of soldier
Age
Birthplace
Occupation
Marital status
Regimental number
Date of attestation
Physical description.

Information Sought:

Regarding the children of Irving Henry Gronow & his first wife Margaret Staples, between the years 1905-1912, any information treated in the strictest confidence as always.

Recently acquired certificates:

DEATHS
Christiana Gronow June Qtr. 1850 Ellesmere Vol.18 page 59.
John Grunner Dec. Qtr. 1884 Wrexham Vol.11b page 218.
Ann Gronor March Qtr. 1869 Wrexham Vol.11b page 255.
BIRTHS
Adam John Gronow June Qtr. 1894 Cardiff Vol.11a page 328.
Arthur Rees Gronow 1886. Williamstown, Victoria. Australia.
MARRIAGES
Thomas Grunner June Qtr. 1847 Ellesmere Vol.18 page 117.

WANTED

Information about a James Percy Gronow born about the 19th May 1904, Birth registered in the June Qtr. of 1904 Cardiff Vol.11a page 374. His wife is described as a Widow in 1952. What happened to James ? No death registration can be found! Any information treated in the strictest confidence.

from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA , by Futhey and Cope (1881);

Lewis Gronow was one of the early and stanch collaborators of those Chester County patriots who assisted to put the ball in motion which resulted in the independence of these United States. He was one of the county committee which assumed the local government in December, 1774, under the auspices of the Continental Congress; and on March 20, 1775, that committee met at the house of Richard Cheyney, in East Caln. In 1774, Mr Gronow was elected a member of the General assembly for Chester County. He was also a sub-lieutenant of the county - one of the officers having charge of the military organization of the same. On June 17, 1777, an order was drawn in favor of Lewis Gronow, Esq, sub-lieutenant of Chester County, for $4,000, for the purpose of procuring substitutes, blankets, etc. And again, March 30, 1780, Col Robert Smith was appointed lieutenant and Co. Thomas Cheyney, Lewis Gronow, Andrew Boyd, Thomas Levis and Robert Wilson were appointed sub-lieutenants of the county. Lewis Gronow, it is believed, died soon after this, and his personal history , like that of many other good patriots of those days, seems to be nearly lost; but his memory remains in our archives as that of a faithful servant in his country's cause.

2007 commemorates the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. This Act outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire and made it illegal for British ships to be involved in the trade, marking the beginning of the end for the transatlantic traffic in human beings. In his will Lewis Gronow makes mention of a slave:

The Will of:
GRONOW, LEWIS. Tredyffrin.
November 3, 1782. December 2, 1782.To stepmother Isabella Gronow £70. To my relation William Gronow £60, and to his son Lewis £60, and to his son John "a lame man" £60. To my relation Isaac Davis £60. To Mary Cochran £60. To Jeremiah McVeigh £30. To Phillis, a mulatto wench now living with me, £30. Provides for sister Sarah during life, also all the right, etc. given me by my father's will to a certain tract of land on Cocalamus Creek, Cumberland Co., until her son John Gronow Bull is 21. To said nephew John G. Bull my plantation whereon I live in Tredyffrin, devised to me by my father containing 165 acres when he is 21. To my nieces Mary and Isabella Bull plantation purchased of James Davis in Tredyffrin including 32 acres of located land when 18. To William, son of Joshua Evans of Willistown, the lott in Philadelphia and liberty land belonging. Also Mr. Reeds map of city of Philadelphia and book belonging thereunto. To William Magor £30. Executors: John Beaton, David Davis of Tredyffrin. Wit: Jonathan Evans, William Potts, Samuel Smith.

The following slaves are on page 4 of the 1780 register:

Slaveholder Name: Gronow, Lewis
City or Township: Tredyffrin Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman

Slave Name: York
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged thirty two years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Slave Status: "A slave for life."
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Registered as "A negro man named York aged thirty two years a slave for life."
Date of Record: (Registration) 1780;
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780

Slave Name: Moses
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged twelve years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Slave Status: "A slave for life."
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Moses aged twelve years a slave for life."
Date of Record: (Registration) 1780;
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780

Slave Name: Aaron
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged fourteen years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Slave Status: "A slave for life."
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Aaron aged fourteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: (Registration) 1780;
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780

Slave Name: Simon
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged ten years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Slave Status: "A slave for life."
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Simon aged ten years a slave for life."
Date of Record: (Registration) 1780;
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780

Slave Name: Amos
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged three years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Slave Status: "A slave for life."
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Amos aged three years a slave for life."
Date of Record: (Registration) 1780; Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780 .

The following is an extract of a correspondence I had late last year with the well know Author Prof. Jukka Gronow, regarding the surname Gronow, which can be found in Eastern Europe. He very kindly allowed me to publish it here, for which I am most grateful.

“Even though I live in Sweden, I and my family come from Finland. In Finland there are several – about half a dozen families – Gronow’s which, however are all related to each other. I do not know of anyone else in Sweden or Norway.
Our family – from my father’s side – comes from Russia where they, in the 19th century, moved from Finland which was part of Russia then. All the remaining Gronow’s in Russia are our relatives. As far I know there are not that many left any more, the cousin of my father’s died a couple of weeks ago in Moscow at the age of 92 without leaving any children behind, but there might be some relatives left in the far east, Vladivostok region, I’ve heard. We have however, had no contacts with them, after their father, my father’s uncle, died in the 1960’s. As so many Russian families, ours drifted apart after the Revolution.
As far as I know the name of my family was originally Gronovius and can be dated back to a student at the University at Turku Academy (or Aabo Academy in the Swedish) in the early 17th century who took this name when entering the academic life. Most Finns did not have any real surnames at that time at all, and this was a very common practice, that is to take an “invented” Latin name. The name was “Swedified” in the 18th century to Gronow (In the 18th century many Latin names were Swedified in Sweden-Finland was part of Sweden at that time and Swedish was the language of the upper classes and administration.) When my relatives went to Russia to serve in the Tsar’s army this name fitted well because it sounds like an ordinary Russian name – they often end in ow (as transliterated into German) or off (as it is written in the French form). But it is extremely rare in Russia (not to be confused with Gromow which is very common and very “Russian”, comes from the word “thunder”) Gronow does not mean anything in Russian. But many Russians still take me for a Russian because of the form of my name.
I have heard that there are more Gronow’s in Wales and the Netherlands (Gronoviuses too in the Netherlands) – and presumably in other places of the world too – I remember being very well treated – with some curiosity – when booking in some little hotels in Wales, for instance.” Jukka Gronow 17th Nov 2006.

Benjamin GRONOW 1887 – 1967.

Ben Gronow was one of the best rugby league forwards in the world during the mid 1920’s, and was the only player from an English club to move to Australia in the first 50 years of the game Down Under. In December 1909, at Newport, Ben Gronow played in his first international trial match and so impressed the Selection Committee that he was “capped” for the Wales v. France match, played at Swansea on the 1st January 1910. In this match he scored a try. Next he played against England at Twickenham, the match which celebrated the opening of the Twickenham ground. As he also played against Ireland and Scotland, Ben represented his country in all her international matches that season.
In 1915 Ben joined the War effort and was transferred to the Army Service Corps M2/103369 and was raised to the rank of Serjeant, in charge of a motor depot at Ypres. In 1920 Gronow was one of five Huddersfield players selected for the Australian Tours. When he retired he settled in Yorkshire and in the 1930s became the coach at Morley Rugby Union Club. Ben was survived by three sons (his other son like him a Serjeant in the Royal Army Service Corps died in Egypt in 1943 and is buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery.)

If your are reading this page you have probably come to it by way of my Guild Profile page. Recently I am getting lots of enquires from that site starting with something like “seen your profile page my name is (George) trying to trace my family history what can you tell me.” Not much I’m afraid from that information, I try to tell them how many (George)’s are alive today and that I need a little bit more to go on – at the very least their date of birth.
However 9 times out of 10 I do not hear from the enquirer again. Am I asking too much? Generally speaking if you give me a date of birth of someone alive 90% of the time I can trace their parentage back to 1912, 70% of those I can trace back to 1800. But I do advise people that there is what I call the Dark ages in Family History & that is the period 1902-1912 when other than BMD Registration it is a lot harder to trace people. This is a stumbling block for many people and if you have a birth in this period & do not know who the parents where, then the only other option is to see the actual certificate. As you will see from earlier posts I do regularly purchase certificates to get beyond this point. So if you are thinking of contacting me try to give me as much info about your Grandparents (Great Grandparents) as you know, and I will be only too happy to help you and your history.

Henry Lettsom Gronow
1831-1876
He died of a gunshot wound, believed to be self inflicted. At the time he was working as a warden at Young Gaol( New South Wales, Australia).

Latest certificates:
Birth:
Gronow Griffith, 22nd February 1847
Frederick Gronow, 21st November 1907

Marriages:
Griffith Gronow, 29th May 1869
Edward Gronow 16th March 1907

Deaths:
Ann Jane Gronow 2nd November 1900.