The Anatomy of a street name

The Anatomy of a street name

Gronow Street, Michigan USA, takes it's name from  the person who subdivided the land on what is now along the north side of Engleman St. and both sides of Gronow Street between Van Dyke and Lawrence St.  According to the subdivision plot recorded on May 12, 1913 his name was Dr. Adolph A.Gronow and his wife's name was Rose Agnes Gronow.

The earliest US Census records I could find with a listing of Adolph Gronow were in 1920 and 1930. Working backwards in time I was able to verify that Adolph's original surname was Gronkowski.

According to the 1900 and 1910 US Census Records, Adolph GRONKOWSKI was born in April 1870 in Germany and his wife Agnes was born 2nd October 1876 in Warren, Macomb, Michigan. In 1900 Adolph GRONKOWSKI was living on Bellevue Street in Hamtramck Township, which would soon be incorporated into the city of Detroit. He claimed to have immigrated from Germany in 1889 and was a naturalised  citizen whose occupation was "Librarian". The 1903 Detroit City Directory shows Adolph A. GRONKOWSKI living at 974  Bellevue and employed as a teacher at Eastern High School. In 1910 Adolph GRONKOWSK was living on Center Line Road (now Van Dyke Ave)  in Warren Township, which  would become the village of Center Line in 1926. From the other names on  the record, it is clear that he and his family were living with his  mother-in-law Margaret Engleman in the Engleman home on Van Dyke near what is now Gronow Ave. He claimed to have  immigrated from Germany in 1890 and was a naturalised citizen whose  occupation was "Teacher-High School". Since it was clear that Margaret was still married in 1910 and a widow on the 1920 census record, I wondered  where her husband was living in 1910.  I did some searching and discovered  that her husband Hieronymus passed away in 1918 and in the 1910 US Census he was shown as an "inmate" living at the Michigan Soldiers Home in Grand Rapids, Mich., which was a nursing home for US Civil War veterans.

The 1916 Detroit City Directory listed Adolph A. GRONOW as "Physician and Surgeon, Office Hours 1 to 3 PM and 6:30 to 8:00 PM (Sunday by appointment), 1910 Gratiot Ave., Tel Ridge 150, home: Center Line, Mich."  1910 Gratiot Ave.(renumbered to 8338 Gratiot in 1921) was near the  intersection with Iroquois St., about a one-half mile walk from the home he apparently owned at 1221 Townsend Ave. where some of his
adult children were living at that time. According to the 1880 US Census, Adolph's wife Agnes was born about 1877  to Hieronymus and Margaret Engleman.  According to the 1895 plat map of  this area, the Engleman home and and 13 acres of farm land match the area of land that was subdivided in 1913 by  Agnes and her husband, Adolph Gronow.

It turned out Adolph had married previously to Antonia Kremser by license in Wayne Michigan on the 20th May 1893 under his original name of Gronkowski. They had a son Joseph P.Gronkowski born the 17th March 1896 in Detroit. In 1898 Adolph married Agnes Rose Engelmann in Wayne Michigan. They had the following children; Norbert Gronkowski, Edith Gronkowski, Esther MarieGronkowski (9th Nov.1901), Frederick Gronkowski, Anthony Gronkowski,  & James Edward Gronkowski, (9th July 1906)

My thanks for permission to use the photograph above, and help with the research behind the street name goes to Mike Grobbel who is Webmaster for:
"Through the Years - a Photographic History of Center Line, Michigan"
& some more information regarding
Gronow Street in Michigan.

Congratulations to

Owen J. Gronow

for being selected to sail on the Stavros S Niarchos a British brig-rigged tall ship owned and operated by the Tall Ships Youth Trust.

He hopes to get the Royal Yachting Association Start Yachting qualification on the voyage.

In Remembrance
Elizabeth [Meg] Gronow
{nee Thomas}
January 13th 2012
Wife of the late Clement John Gronow
Interment was at Bridgend Cemetery on Friday 20th January 2012.
Survived by her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Tudur ap Goronwy

Tudur ap Goronwy is the hero of one of the best known of all stories about any medieval Welshman. It relates that he assumed the honour of knighthood and that Edward III summoned him to his presence to explain 'with what confidence he durst invade his prerogative by assuming the degree of knighthood, without his authority'. Tudur replied that 'by the laws and constitution of King Arthur' he possessed the three necessary qualifications. 'First, he was a gentleman. Second, he had a sufficient estate, and thirdly, he was valiant and adventurous; adding this withal, If my valour and hardiness be doubted of, lo, here I throw down my glove, and for due proof of my courage, I am ready to fight with any man, whatever he be.' The story continues that the king, admiring his spirit, confirmed him in the rank he had assumed. The tale was first printed by William Wynne in his History of Wales, published in 1697;1 it is not found in Powel's Historie of Cambria (1584), which was the basis of Wynne's work. It was, presumably, one of the additions which Wynne claimed in his Preface to have taken 'out of the notes of that late great antiquarian Mr. Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt'. The catalogue of the Peniarth collection now in the National Library of Wales, and which includes the Hengwrt collection, offers no clue to the source of the tale, though a Mostyn manuscript compiled about 1572 seems to contain its germ. So much for the legend. The known facts of his career are few and on the whole less favourable to his memory. Iolo Goch and Gruffydd ap Maredudd ap Dafydd sang his praises and mourned his death, but the quantity of positive information they provide is small, once the conventional material is dismissed. Both confirm that his home was Trecastell; neither refers to the story of his knighthood and one cannot help feeling that it would have provided them with very acceptable material had it been true. Both speak vaguely of his military prowess and his fondness for wearing armour, but neither suggests that he had been engaged in the French wars.

Goronwy's French campaigning was probably done in the time of the Black Prince and the offices he occupied in North Wales at the time of his death in 1382 suggest that he had been rewarded for his services. He was Forester of Snowdon and he also held the stewardship of the Bishop of Bangor's Anglesey manors. On 18 March, 1382, he was appointed constable of Beaumaris castle, an office only once held by a Welshman before his time. He only lived a few days to enjoy his new honour for he died, as the escheator of Anglesey reported, on 22 March, 1382. His possessions in Penmynydd and Dinsylwy Rees, to the net value of £12 a year, were held of the king in chief 'by service of going with the lord King in his wars, within the march of Wales at his own proper costs and without the marches at the cost of the lord King and by suit of the county court of Anglesey'. These were, of course, the terms on which his father and uncle had held their lands in 1352. His son and heir, Tudur, was a minor and his Anglesey lands, were delivered to his widow, Myfanwy, pending a decision as to the king's rights in the property. The pedigrees do not name Goronwy's wife, but she was undoubtedly Myfanwy, daughter of Iorwerth ap Ednyfed Gam of Pengwern in Flintshire. Bardic evidence shows that he died by drowning in Kent. Iola Goch in his elegy says that he would not have been surprised had he been drowned in the Menai or the English Channel, the implication being that he frequently crossed both; but to drown in Kent seemed a strange end to his career. Gruffydd ap Maredudd and Llywelyn Goch confirm the cause of death, although more obscurely. Iolo and Gruffydd add that his body was brought from London and buried at the Franciscan friary of Llan-faes. It is generally accepted that the magnificent alabaster altar tomb now at Penmynydd church is that of Goronwy and Myfanwy and that it was moved from Llan-faes at the dissolution of the monasteries. Representing as it does the most costly and elaborate type of monument of the period, it suggests vividly the prestige which Goronwy enjoyed in his day. Less is known of Ednyfed, but he undoubtedly died about the same time as his brother Goronwy, possibly of the same cause. Iolo Goch's elegy is to both brothers and, although the language is obscure, it clearly implies the death of both. In his case, again, his wife is not named in the pedigrees, but the family of Mostyn in Flintshire claim that she was Gwenllian, daughter of Dafydd ap Bleddyn Fychan, descended from a branch of the same family. A daughter of this marriage was to marry Ieuan ap Adda of Pengwern, himself a nephew of Myfanwy, wife of Ednyfed's brother, Goronwy.

Recently aquired certificates:
Marriages:

Ann Gronow March Qtr.1840 Cardiff Vol.26 page 427.
Ann Gronow Sept. Qtr.1841 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.26 page 449.
Margaret Gronow Dec. Qtr.1842 Cardiff Vol.26 page 519.
Elizabeth Gronow June Qtr.1849 Cardiff Vol.26 page 670.
Elinor Gronow June Qtr.1850 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.26. page 665.
Jane Gronow June Qtr.1853 Cardiff Vol.11a page 343.
Ann Gronow Sept.Qtr. 1853 Cardiff Vol.11a page 292.
Ann Gronow Dec.Qtr. 1853 Bridgend Vol.11a page 699.
Elizabeth Gronow March Qtr.1856 Bridgend Vol.11a page 482.
Elias Goronwy Dec. Qtr. 1856 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 525.
Margaret Gronow June Qtr.1858 Cardiff Vol.11a page 345.
Mary Gronwy Dec. Qtr. 1859 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 487.
Mary Gronow June Qtr.1860 Bridgend Vol.11a page 583.
Mary Ann Gronnow Sept. Qtr. 1860 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 203.
David Goronwy Dec. Qtr. 1860 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 485.
Catherine Gronnow Dec. Qtr. 1867 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 458.
Edmund Gronow June Qtr. 1874 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 513.
Mary Gronow Dec. Qtr.1877 Bridgend Vol.11a page 699.
Daniel Goronwy Dec. Qtr. 1878 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 436.
Elizabeth Gronow March Qtr.1886 Cardiff Vol.11a page 334a.
Celia Goronwy June Qtr. 1888 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 543.
Annie Marri Gronow Sept.Qtr.1894 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 905.
Elizabeth Gronow Dec.Qtr. 1894 Bridgend Vol.11a page 1179.
James Ormond Gronow Sept. Qtr. Merthyr Tydfil 1897 Vol.11a page 891.
Mary Ann Gronow Sept. Qtr.1902 Pontardawe Vol.11a page 1332.
Henry Gronow Dec. Qtr.1903 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 1111.
Irving Henry Gronow Sept. Qtr.1905 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 786.
John Gronow March Qtr.1906 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 595.
Irving Henry Gronow Dec.Qtr. 1914 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1062.
William Gronow March Qtr.1915 Bridgend Vol.11a page 1271.
Mary Gronow March Qtr.1916 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 829.
Percy Allan Gronow Sept.Qtr.1920 Cardiff Vol.11a page 1006.
Rhianedd Goronwy Sept. Qtr. 1921 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1104.
Thomas James Gronow March Qtr.1924 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 981.

On this day we remember the fallen of two World Wars and other conflicts around the globe, both past and present. The loss of life among Gronow families has been commemorated previously on these pages. (see side link: Gronow War Dead). So as we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their Country, let us also remember those soldiers, sailors & airmen who return from battle with serious wounds or other illnesses due to the effects & their experiences of war.

In September 1916, King George V authorized the Silver War Badge (SWB) to honor all military personnel who had served at home or overseas since 4 August 1914 and who had been discharged because of wounds or illness. The badge was not simply an honor; it also served a practical purpose. At the time, men of military age who were not obviously in the service were sometimes accosted or insulted by civilians presenting them with white feathers a symbol of cowardice for shirking their patriotic duty. The badge served as an outward symbol that the wearer’s duty to country had been honorably fulfilled.

Gronow recipients of the Silver War Badge:

David Gronow 1890- 1928 / Private / 45018 / South Wales Borderers.
Ernest Gronow 1887- 1954 / Private / 15690 / 3rd Bn. South Wales Borderers.
Ivor Gronow 1896-1941 / Sapper / 1225 / Royal Engineers.
John Ivor Gronow 1884-1933 / Private / 82087 / Royal Defence Corps.
Levi Harries Gronow 1896-1980 / Private / 2600 / The Welsh Regiment.
Percy Alan Gronow 1893-1961 / Gunner / 348649 / Royal Garrison Artillery.
Thomas Gronow 1864- / Pioneer / 337665 / Inland Water Transport Royal Engineers.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."

Edmund George Gronow
1881-1934
Born in Tonyrefail the son of Evan Gronow & Eliza Rose. Edmund a Striker by trade 5' 9" tall with blue eyes and light brown hair.
He joined the Grenadier Guards on the 14th September 1900. He saw action in South Africa, earning the South African Medal with Clasps Cape colony & 1902.
He transferred to 1st class Army Reserve on the 10th September 1903, and was finally discharged from the army on the 9th September 1912.
He married Rebecca Gladys Wood on the 12th February 1905 in Cardiff.

In Remembrance:

Margaret Donne Gronow

(nee Evans)

died 7th October 2011

Peniel Nursing Home, Carmarthenshire.

THE ANGEL WITH THE CENSER.

Within a dimly-lighted Church,
All decked with festal flowers,
An Angel stood — on Christmas Eve —
'Twas in the silent hours,
When vesper-prayers were over
And the worshippers gone home,
To wait until the midnight bell
To Mass should bid them come.

The Angel stood with folded wings,
And in his fair, white hand
He held a golden censer bright
Obeying God's command
Not to return to Heaven,
But to wait in patience there
Till he could bring the incense
Of one faithful humble prayer.

THE ANGEL WITH THE CENSER, AND OTHER POEMS.
by B. M. G R O N O W.

London, REMINGTON AND CO., New Bond Street, W. 1883.

A quick look around the web gave no clues as to the authors name, except the initials B. M. Always one to try & put a name to these things I thought I'd find out who wrote this little book of poems.
It turned out to be Bessie Marion Gronow (1851-1929) who on the 16th February 1889 at St Peter's, Brighton, by the Rev. Heathcote SMITH, Louis Marie BASINET, youngest son of Mons. Claude BASINET, of St Alan, Chambery, France, to Bessie Marion, younger daughter of Wm. Lettsom GRONOW, Esq., of Ash Hall, Glamorganshire.

In Remembrance:

Marion Gronow 

(nee Davies)

 

died 23rd August 2011

Swansea, Glamorganshire.

Recently aquired certificates:
Marriages:
William Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1938 Cardiff Vol.11a page 613
William Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1953 Cardiff Vol.8b page 465

Facebook has just updated the Gronow's across the world groups page, so feel free to come along and join this group
to access the group click on the Facebook logo in the column on the right. Hope to see you there.

From the publication: Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 12 Part 2: June-December 1537 comes an interesting conversation between Thomas Cranmer & Thomas Cromwell on the 28th August 1537.

'Has twice written in favour of "this poor man," Wm. Gronnow, the bearer, to the lord Deputy of Calais to restore him to his room, but he can get no answer. Begs him to get a bill signed by the King to the treasurers and comptrollers of Calais for payment to Gronnowe of his accustomed wages, and to none other.' Forde, Signed.

It would appear that at this time the lord Deputy of Calais was Arthur Plantagenet, 1st Viscount Lisle, KG (died 3 March 1542 Tower of London). History is less clear what happened to his 'bearer William Gronnow[e]. However During his time at Calais, Arthur and his wife had to manage much of their affairs outside Calais by correspondence. Copies of 3,000 of these letters were seized as evidence after Arthur was arrested. They survive to the present day in the Public Record Office, and have become a valuable historical resource for a critical period in English history. Does there lurk among the dusty letters any further insight to the "Bearer" of the Lord Deputy of Calais. I wonder?

Citation 'Henry VIII: August 1537, 21-31', Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 12 Part 2: June-December 1537 (1891), pp. 209-228.

I am pleased to say I have just become member of
"The Association of Graveyard Rabbits"

The Association was named for Frank Lebby Stanton's poem, The Graveyard Rabbit. Although the poem is about superstitions associated with graveyard rabbits, Stanton also establishes that such rabbits have a charmingly intimate knowledge of graveyards and a loving association with the dead. These traits are the motivation of the human beings interested in this group.

My association is mainly for my work on St. Mary's Church Monumental Inscriptions which you can view by clicking on the "Blog Links" tab opposite. But researching a one-name sudy involves visiting so many graveyards & public cemeteries, it could just as much apply to this study.
You can find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/graveyardrabbit

Amusing Bastardy Case at Swansea - The county magistrates (Measrs. J.G. Hall, S.B. Power, and E.M. Richards) sitting in petty sessions at Swansea on Wednesday, were occupied for several hours in hearing a case in which Cecilia Gronow charged William Jones of Morriston, with being the father of her illegitimate child. Mr Woodward appeared for the complainant, and Mr C.H. Glascodine for the defendant. The complainant stated she met the defendant for times in August last year, and one night he had improper connection with her, which resulted in the birth of a child. Mary Jenkins and Catherine Williams stated that they saw the defendant and the complainant together in August last, but Mary Jenkins admitted, in cross-examination, that when she went to tell the defendant that he was the father of the child, she was not sure that he was the man, and when his brother went out, she told him that Cecilia Gronow had a boy for him.
Several witnesses were called to prove that the complainant stated that the father of the child was taller than David Jones, and David was taller than William Jones. The mother also said that the father had a moustache, and all the witnesses for the defence swore that the defendant, who is not 18 years of age, never had a moustache. The bench believed that it was a case of mistaken identity, and dismissed the case with costs.

Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Thursday, June 26, 1879; Issue 3161.

The boy in question was William Gronow born the 12th May 1879 in Morriston, Swansea. Glamorganshire. His mother Cecilia went on to marry a William Jones in 1900, 21 years after the birth of her son.

Recently aquired certificates:
Marriages:
Thomas Grunner Sept. Qtr. 1861 Ellesmere Vol.6a page 1114

In Remembrance

Capt. Alan Edmund Harold Gronow
1935-2011

Brian Gronow
1939-2011

Recently aquired certificates:
Births:
Margaret Gronow Sept.Qtr. 1850 Liverpool Vol.XX page 326
Richard Gronow March Qtr. Pontypridd Vol.11a page 453
Marriages:
David L. Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1966 Bridgend Vol.8b page 130
Deaths:
John Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1846 Liverpool Vol.XX page 534

Recently aquired certificates:
Births:
Rachel Gronow Dec Qtr. 1844 Llandilofawr Vol.26 page 520
Oenia Gronow June Qtr. 1855 Pontypool Vol.11a page 130
Marriages:
John Grunnow Dec Qtr. 1860 Abergavenny Vol.11a page 128

In the course of my research I visit many record offices & libraries here in the UK and I correspond by email and snail mail to repositories around the world. But one thing that never fails to amaze me is the sheer helpfulness of our American cousins compared to their English counterparts. Ask a library or record office in England for a very straightforward bit of research and I’m usually met with a request for money and that is when they can be bothered to actually reply to your request. Compare this with America.
I got in touch with the Livonia Public Library in Michigan to ask about a orbit check with only a year of death available, two days later email arrives with a copy of the newspaper article in full, a day after that an orbit arrives for the persons wife. Both orbits full of information that tie the whole family together and confirm their link to the Gronow family in Cardiff. So I’d like to say a big public thank you to Merrill Wassell the adult services librarian at the Livonia Civic Center Library for all their help.

Congratulations & Best Wishes
to Russell & Sarah Gronow
on the birth of their 3rd son
William Christopher Gronow
2nd March 2011
born 2 minutes past midnight 10lb 10oz.
http://gronow.co.uk/Photo/recent.php

Recently aquired certificates:
Births:
Hugh Gronow Dec Qtr. 1942 Neath Vol.11a page 1035
Marriages:
Evan Gronow June Qtr. 1854 Cardiff Vol.11a page 414
William Gronow June Qtr. 1865 Cardigan Vol.11b page 5
John Gronow March Qtr. 1943 Cardiff Vol.11a page 659
Robert W. Gronow March Qtr. 1969 Dudley Vol.9b page 361

I downloaded a couple of 'Kindle' books today. "Born on the Craig" & "My Welsh Childhood" by my namesake Colin (Edward) Gronow. Born into 1940's wartime Pontypridd the books illustrate with great feeling the times & adventures of a boy growing up on the "Graig". A couple of funny parts for me were his first day at school, when he met...... [fans of LOST will find this bit amusing] and his Christmas present one year of "Escalado" a horse racing game, which I had myself when a child and still do, somewhere.

So far Colin's ancestry takes him back to about 1680 in the village of Pentyrch {The Ox's Vale}, in the Cwmwd of Meisgyn, Cantref of Penythen (now called the Hundred of Miskin), County of Glamorganshire, South Wales.

You can also visit his "Wales Tourism" website at: http://www.colinswalestourism.co.uk

Gwynt y Ddraig

(The Dragons wind)

If your looking for a good honest family run firm then take a look at "The Welsh Cider & Perry Company" Gwynt y Ddraig. This family business is run from Llest Farm, in Llantwit Fardre near Pontypridd.

The business is run by Andrew Gronow and his Uncle William George, together with Andrew's father John Gronow and his brother Timothy Gronow (responsible for the artwork opposite).

Visit their website at www.gwyntcider.com/gyd/

Andrew Gronow & his father John descend from Dinas Cross in Pembrokeshire where the family have strong maritime links with the area.

Recently aquired certificates:

Births:
William Gronow June Qtr. 1920 Cardiff Vol.11a page 978
Griffith W Gronow Sept Qtr. 1934 Bridgend Vol.11a page 1123
Haydn J Gronow Dec Qtr. 1941 W. Glamorgan Vol.11a page 1657
Marriages:
Elizabeth Frances Gronow Sept Qtr. 1869 Wharfedale Vol.9a page 192

As is often the case I was browsing through some online books when I came across "The Roll of the Fallen 1939-1945" of the University of London OTC & STC. privately printed at the Chiswick press London.

In it I came across Capt. Robin Louis Gronow Fevez of King's College. I had not come across the name Fevez in my searches so some research was required. Robin Louis Gronow Fevez and his younger brother David Gronow Fevez were the sons of Eugene Leon Fevez, 1865-1936 (a Woolen Merchant, born in Manchester to a French national) and Ethel Gronow Oliver, 1879-1970 (a solicitors daughter from Wimbledon)

Both men died in the service of their country during WW2. Robin a Capt. in the Queen's Royal Regiment died on the 10th September 1943 and is buried in Salerno War Cemetery, Italy which contains many burials resulting from the landings and fighting which took place when Commonwealth and American forces landed near Salerno on 8-9th September 1943.

David Gronow Fevez was a Pilot Officer with 26 Sqdn. RAF who was lost on the 5th June 1940 while flying his Westland Lysander on a tactical reconnaissance misson. He was shot down by Hptman Muller (staffelkapitan) south-west of Abbeville ans crashed near Ercourt at 12.10 hrs.
He is buried in the local church near the middle of the southern boundary of the graveyard.

Both young men are Grt. Grand Nephews of Capt. Rees Howell Gronow of Waterloo fame.

Obituary

Margaret Alice Gronow
{1922 -2010}

GRONOW, Margaret Alice sadly passed away on the 12th December 2010, aged 88 years. Margaret beloved Aunt of Nora, Ivor, Carol, Susan, Cyril, Timothy and a loved great-aunt of her many nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held today Wednesday Jan 5th 2011 at 1.30pm at Glyntaff Crematorium Pontypridd.

{first published in the Media Wales Group on the 29th Dec.2010}

Margaret Alice was the youngest daughter of Irving Henry Gronow & his 2nd wife Alice Beatrice Bodman.

Rockhampton Australia.
4th January 2011

My thoughts and concerns are with the Gronow families in Rockhampton, Queensland Australia which is at the centre of the state's flood emergency, with its 75,000 residents bracing for the Fitzroy River to peak at about 9.4m (31ft).

The families are descended from Francis Sydney Gronow & his wife Margaret O'Shea. My thoughts especially to Grahame & Lyle Gronow & their children, who I had the pleasure in helping them with their family history not so long ago. Rockhampton, 370 miles north of Brisbane and a hub for the farming and coal-mining region, has become the focus for what officials call "biblical" floods affecting 200,000 people in an area the size of France and Germany.

Obituary

Amy Gronnow WILLIAMS.(nee PRICE)

(1919-2010)

Suddenly but peacefully on 9th August, 2010, of Herbert Jennings Avenue, Acton, aged 90 years. Beloved wife of the late Joseph, much loved mum of Joseph and Sylvia, Jacqueline and John, cherished nanna of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral Service was held at Holy Trinity Church, Gwersyllt, on Tuesday, 17th August, 2010 at 1pm followed by Interment in the Churchyard.

(First published in the Leader on 12th August 2010, distributed in Mold).

Amy Gronnow Price, was the daughter of William Gronnow Price and Amy Shires of Old Rhosrobin, Wrexham. Denbighshire.

From a Wrexham newspaper 16th January 1929.
"At Wrexham William Gronnow Price 57 of New Rhos Robin was sentenced to 6 months Imprisonment with hard labour and his son William Edward Price aged 20 to 3 months for stealing fowls from a Farm. The only clue was an unusual label on a whisky bottle which the men had left behind them."

11th November 2010

"We will Remember them"

As the nation comes together to remember those who have died in service of our country and with our thoughts of those men & women who at this time are serving in Afghanistan, I thought I'd include this piece about another Afghan War, this time 1878-1880.

Captain William Lettson Gronow, of the 1st Batallion Manchester Regiment (Late 63rdFoot)
who in the Second Anglo Afghan War from 1878-1880 joined the 2nd division of the Kandahar force, but was not present in any of the more important actions.
William was the son of the William Lettsom Gronow and his wife Catherine Anne Norman.
Born 9th January 1848 - Died 28th December 1903
He retired a Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Manchester Regt. ( he was also the Grand Nephew of Rees Howell Gronow of Waterloo fame)

In Loving Memory of
Jane Charlotte Gronow
1852-1907

My Great Grand Aunt, a nurse & midwife and a woman devoted to a life of helping others through illness, died in the Liverpool Home for Incurables in 1907 and was buried on the 7th May in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Section D right Grave 284. Her name appears inscribed on a memorial to others from the Hospital. (Pic left).

In 1875 the hospital, known as the Home for Incurables moved to the building in which it would remain for the rest of its existence, on Upper Parliament Street. The home was now run by a General Committee and was 'intended to be a home for women of a respectable class, who are suffering from chronic complaints of an incurable nature. Intake of cancer sufferers was limited as were geriatric cases. Although many patients who entered the home spent the remainder of their lives there, others did improve and were discharged so there was some degree of patient turnover.

After 1885 the home was known as the Liverpool Home for Incurables, a name it retained until its absorption into the National Health Service under the aegis of the South Liverpool Hospital Management Committee in 1948, when it became the Home for Invalid Women. In 1969 after a further change of name the home became Princes Park Hospital. Although it aimed to provide care for younger chronically sick women, increasingly its intake was of geriatric patients. After 1975 the hospital admitted male as well as female patients. The hospital closed in 1986.

I spent a wonderful week last month down by Newport Sands, a family holiday with research combined. I had wanted to visit the graveyards around Dinas for a while and so when the occasion arose, I took the opportunity to visit the Gronow seafarers of the area, I was not disappointed. From Plas Bach a cottage on the hillside of Moylegrove I travelled to the various local Churchyards & Non-conformist graveyards in the area. Macapela with it’s well kept lawns, by the local villagers a testament to the Master Mariners and ocean going sailors of the area. Gronow graves abound, the children, who are used to searching fruitlessly for Gronow markers, were calling “found one”, “look another” “and another” I have never found so many graves in one place as I did on that morning on the hillside in Dinas.

Just down the road from Macapela towards the sea is Ramah graveyard it’s old iron gates not use to visitors any more, we found more old sailors & their wives. Quite by chance, while out walking the dog one evening on the hills around Moylegrove I came across Bryn Bethel perched high up overlooking the sea. One of the quietest and remote graveyards I’ve had the pleasure to visit. Not had chance yet to index all the pictures, but it was nice to be able to put an image to all the places I had been researching, Newport, Dinas, Cardigan, Nevern & Moylegrove.

Recently aquired certificates:

Births:
William Henry Gronow Dec Qtr. 1863 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 288.
Sarah Jane Gronow Dec Qtr. 1879 Haverfordwest Vol.11a page 851
William Henry Gronow June Qtr. 1882 Bridgend Vol.11a page 583
Ronald G A Edwards March Qtr. 1920 Bedwelty Vol.11a page 229
Marriages:
William Gronow March Qtr. 1858 Cardigan Vol.11b page 5.

I've spent the last week looking at family trees on a well known commercial website, these "Public Member Trees" are something else! So far I have contacted over 12 'owners', the response so far 1 reply, who in all credit to him has corrected the mistakes within his tree. In the vast majority of cases it seems to be a case of reproduction without verification. I even had and old contact of mine get in touch, giving me her research only to find, yet again information from a 'Public member tree' had found its way into her family tree.

There are too many examples to highlight here, but one I think must be taken to task. There are over 40 trees on this site, with a gentleman by the name of HYWELL GRONOW born 18th February 1757, all 40 trees give the same birth date & marriage date & in most cases same death date. In 30 years research I have never come across him! Most trees say he was born, married & died in Coity, Glamorganshire. Well he is nowhere to be seen in the parish registers of St. Mary Coity, nor have I ever come across him in over 50 parish registers that I have indexed.

So if anyone out there has Hywell Gronow in their tree, and would like to give me the source for his baptism, marriage or death I'll be the first to apologise! once it's been checked & verified of course.

Recently aquired certificates:

Births:
John Gronow Sept Qtr. 1866 Cardigan Vol.11b page 1.
Marriages:
Joseph Gronow Sept Qtr. 1841 Abergavenny Vol.26 page 42.
William Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1850 Haverfordwest Vol.26 page 1001.

For over 70 years a lifeboat has covered the Horton and Port Eynon area of the south Gower coast, Glamorganshire. As part of her crew father and daughter Stuart Gronow (deputy launching authority) & Mari Gronow (crew member) cast a watchful eye across the waters of the Gower Peninsula.

Stuart & Mari's family have lived and farmed in the Gower Peninsula for over 275 years . The Peninsula's richly varied natural environment is renowned for its heathland, limestone grassland, fresh- and salt-water marshes, dunes and oak woodlands. Its mixed geology has given rise to a wide variety of scenery in a relatively small landscape area. Dramatic limestone cliffs, interspersed with sandy beaches and rocky shores, dominate its southern coast. In the north, the coast is low-lying with extensive salt marshes and dune systems.

Recently acquired certificate:

Births:
Samuel George Gronow December Qtr. 1908 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 558.


I'm just in the process of finishing the extraction of images of the 1911 Census, and can I find the above Samuel? not a sight of him, nor his parents. If anyone has Samuel in their extended family I would love to hear from you.

Recently acquired certificates:

Births:
David Gronow June Qtr. 1838 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.26 page 351.
Alfred William Gronow June Qtr. 1840 Swansea Vol.26 page 490.
John Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1853 Bridgend Vol.11a page 304.
Marriages:
William Gronow Dec. Qtr. 1853 Bridgend Vol.11a page 708
James Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1859 Cardiff Vol.11a page 297
John Gronow Sept. Qtr. 1915 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1433.

Burglary, 26th June 1876.

ARTHUR BROWN (35) , Burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of one Evan Gronow, and stealing therein a coat and waist-coat, his property.

MR. DOUGLAS conducted the, Prosecution.

EVAN GRONOW . I am a shoemaker, of Irongate Wharf, Paddington—On Saturday night, 10th June, at 11 o'clock I was in bed on the ground floor, and was awakened and saw the prisoner pass my coat out at the window—he was three parts in the room, but standing outside—I asked him what he was doing, and he ran away—I went after him, and never lost sight of him—he got behind a cart—I called for help, and Sergeant Tompkins came up he laid hold of him behind the cart—I charged him with stealing a coat and waistcoat—I picked up the waistcoat myself—I have not recovered the coat—the prisoner said he was sleeping on the timber—on the road he said "I had got the wrong shop" and that he had some beer.

THOMAS TOMPKINS (Police Sergeant D 14). I was in Irongate Wharf, I heard some cries and saw the prosecutor and the prisoner dodging round a cart—the prosecutor said the prisoner had stolen his coat—I took him, he said "It is all false, I know nothing about it—I came round here for a sleep"—I said "You arc rather out of breath for sleeping, let us go back and see what it is"—we did so and examined the place, and found it had been opened—on the way back we found" a waistcoat, but not the coat—the prisoner appeared to have been drinking, but was not drunk.

The prisoner in his Defence stated that he was drunk and did not know what had been done.

GUILTY —He was further charged with a previous conviction, to which he PLEADED GUILTY**— Ten Years' Penal Servitude.
Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, 26 March 2010), June 1876, trial of Arthur Brown (t18760626-272).

Census of 2nd April 1871, RG10; Piece: 7; Folio: 85; Page: 46; No.8 Irongate Wharf, Paddington.Marylebone.London.

Inquest Report, Newport. Monmouthshire.

Mr Brewer held an inquest on Friday evening, at the Dock Hotel, on the body of Daniel Gronow, aged 60 years, an engine-driver on the Monmouthshire for many years. The deceased came by his death in the locomotive yard, whilst engaged about his engine. He was crushed by the buffers of a truck striking him against one of the engine buffers. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

[Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Monday, March 9, 1874; Issue 1515]

Congratulations to
Tony & Iris Gronow
on the occasion of their
5oth Golden Anniversary

[first published in the Media Wales Group on 27th February 2010]

Congratulations Mum and Dad on your Golden Wedding Anniversary lots of love from-Caroline, Paul, Carl, Janet, Emma, Sean, Cerys and Tomos.

{Tony is a descendant of Thomas Gronow 1709-1773 Wenvoe, Glamorganshire.}

{Edit 20Aug10}

Sadly Tony died on the 22nd July 2010
at Llandough Hospital after a short illness.
The funeral was on Friday August 6th at Thorn-Hill Crematorium.

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.