Recently Acquired Certificates

Arthur Gronow June Qtr. 1959 Neath Vol.8b page 665.

Alun G Gronow June Qtr. 1972 Surrey N.W. Vol.5g page 693.

Gareth W Gronow December Qtr. 1972 M.Glamorgan Vol.8b page 156

End of year

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Martha Gronow December Qtr. 1864 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 284.

Antony Richard Gronow June Qtr. 1966 Hull Vol.2a page 456A.

MARRIAGES:

Clive Gronow September Qtr. 1965 Lichfield Vol.9b page 839.

DEATHS:

Ann Gronnow June Qtr. 1870 Hull Vol.9d page 140.

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Margaret Gronow June Qtr. 1843 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.26 page 328.

Margaret Gronow September Qtr. 1843 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.26 page 320.

John Gronow June Qtr. 1856  Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.11a page 415.

Thomas Gronow June Qtr. 1861 Bridgend & Cowbridge Vol.11a page 432.

MARRIAGES:

Elizabeth Gronow September Qtr. 1847 Taunton Vol.10 page 663.

Unteroffizier Herbert Gronow

 An interesting item recently caught my attention :

Unteroffizier(1) Herbert Gronow. Zweitschrift(2) issued in September 1944 while recovering from a fourth wound. Gronow had been wounded twice in 1942 (the first time by frostbite), then by a bullet in October 1943, and finally by shrapnel with Jäger-Regiment 227 of the 100. Jäger-Division in the Ukraine, August 1944. He was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz 2. (3) Klasse, the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (4) upgraded to Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber, and the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber.(5) He rejoined his old unit on the front in March 1945 and was issued the Sturmgewehr 44! The 100. Jäger-Division retreated through Yugoslavia and surrendered to the Russians in Silesia. It looks like Gronow survived the war. It looks like an award was censored both on the portrait photo and on the awards page - probably the EKI. Nice portrait photo in late war Feldbluse.
 
(1)Unteroffizier is a military rank of the Bundeswehr and of former German-speaking armed forces (Heer and Luftwaffe). The equivalent in anglophone armed forces is sergeant or staff sergeant. However, Unteroffizier is also the collective name for all non-commissioned officers.
(2) Duplicate. (3)  Iron Cross 2nd Class.(4) awarded to wounded or frostbitten soldiers.
(5) Recognition for infantrymen who had proven themselves in the assault.

Imperial War Museum collection

© IWM (EPH 4468)

Benjamin GRONOW 1887 – 1967.

Ben Gronow picture 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.
The 1912-13 Medal is now in the Imperial War Museum collection [ © IWM (EPH 4468)]

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS

Daniel Gronwy December Qtr. 1857 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 265.

Daniel Gronow December Qtr. 1857 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 322.

Daniel Gronow December Qtr. 1858 Bridgend Vol.11a page 351.

DEATHS

Daniel Gronow June Qtr. 1858 Merthyr Tydfil Vol.11a page 230.

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS

William Gronow September Qtr. 1838 Swansea Vol.26 page 401.

William Gronow September Qtr. 1838 Haverfordwest Vol.26 page 537.

William Gronow March Qtr. 1839 Swansea Vol.26 page 439.

Thomas Gronow December Qtr. 1841 Llandilofawr Vol.26 page 505.

James Gronow September Qtr. 1842 Cardigan Vol.27 page 48.

Gronw SEAL MATRIX

A complete cast lead seal matrix, of Medieval date (c. 1250 - c.1350 AD).

Found near Llangollen, Denbighshire Wales, the seal matrix has a circular die, with a large D-shaped lug on the reverse. This is rectangular in cross-section and has an off-centre sub-circular perforation, diameter 2.52mm. No marks appears to be visible to aid orientation of the die.
The die depicts four leaves arranged in an quatrefoil design, surrounded by a grooved border and then the legend around the edge. Each leaf consists of five diagonal petals or leaves. The legend appears to read + S': GRONW MON AP HOVA (Seal of Gronw Mon Son of Hova). Gronw is a known medieval Welsh name (Gronw Pebr appears in the Mabinogion). Mon is Welsh for Anglesey, although both the M and O of Mon appear to have horizontal contraction marks over them. Hova may be an approximation to the name Hywel.
The seal matrix is a light mid grey colour, with an even surface patina present. Some of the edges demonstrate a minor degree of abrasion, resulting in the illegibility of the inscription and roughening around the edges.
The seal matrix measures 15.82mm tall, 27.68mm diameter at the base and the top of the handle measures 13.63mm wide by 3.74mm thick, the die is 5.30mm thick. It weighs 30.4g.
Personal seal matrices with names were most popular in the 13th century.

You can read more about this by going to  https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/443996
part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme website:

Henry Gronow in German occupied Radziejow, Poldand.

Further from the previous post another interesting site well worth a read is Scott Neuman's trail of his family in War torn Poland during the German occupation.

The following excerpt describes Henry Gronow & his thoughts on returning to Radziejow, Poland.

"Survivor Henry Gronow was one of several Jewish soldiers from Radziejow.  He was drafted into the Polish Army in 1934.  He served in a Polish cavalry unit. In 1937 he was discharged.  After Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Hitler turned his megalomaniac thoughts  towards peaceful Czechoslovakia.  Soon thereafter,  after purporting that Germans living there were in some sort of danger, the German army occupied the Sudetenland, located in Western Czechoslovakia. It became clear to the government of Poland that Hitler's megalomania was focused on their country. As a result,  Gronow was recalled to active duty.  Within a few months he was again discharged from service.  On the day of the German invasion of Poland he was recalled yet again to serve in the reserves.  After three weeks of combat he was captured by the Germans.  He spent six months at the POW Camp Stalag 2A  that was located near Brandenburg, Germany.  In March 1940 he was taken to Lublin, Poland and released. When he made his way back to Radziejow he first learned that the beloved long serving mayor was removed from office and replaced by a German Burgermeister.  He remembered his first impression of the town after arriving.  He aptly described the town as “dead”. He observed that his fellow Jews who many were his relatives were fearful and fearfully awaited the unspoken inevitable.

 "Even more surprising, despite the dangers involved, Jews were still getting married.  For example, Ms. Kazin Fox and Radziejow Survivor Henry Gronow courted during the occupation. Fox then insisted on the marriage because the courting period was over.  So an informal ceremony was performed by Meir Levine, who was a religious Jew but he was not an ordained rabbi.  Unfortunately their marriage was short lived for within four years Fox was murdered at the extermination camp infamously known as Auschwitz."

To read more about "The Holocaust Effect - The Saga of a Survivor and His Influence On His Descendants" by  Scott Neuman do please visit his blog at POLAND INJUSTICE

Happily Henry survived the war and emigrated to Florida USA. In his obituary  published in Sun-Sentinel on Jan. 4, 2004 it stated:

 "Gronow, Henry, "Henik", 91, of Margate, Florida, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, left us on January 2, 2004. He was a Holocaust survivor. Beloved husband of the late Sylvia (nee Green); devoted son of the late Barish and Chiyah Grojnowski; loving brother of the late Leo (the late Helen) Green, Moishe Aaron, Rebecca, Leah, Liebe Grojnowski; and devoted uncle of Belle (Robert) Kaye and great uncle of many nieces and nephews and loved by all who knew him. Chapel services will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at 11:45 AM at the Star of David Memorial Chapel & Gardens, 7701 Bailey Rd., N. Lauderdale, Florida."

August 31, 1994
Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation is established in Los Angeles. Its mission is to videotape, before it is too late, the first-person accounts of 50,000 Holocaust survivors and other witnesses.

USC Shoah Foundation Institute testimony of Henry Gronow:
Record Type:    Oral History
Interviewee:    Henry Gronow
Gender:    M
Birth Year:    1912
Birth City:    Radziejów (Warsaw/ Poland)
Birth Country:    Russia/Soviet Russia
Prewar Religious Identity:    orthodox Judaism
Postwar Religious Identity:    conservative Judaism
Camps:
    Zwierzyniec (Poland : Concentration Camp)
    Auschwitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)(generic)
    Gleiwitz (Germany : Concentration Camp)(generic)
    STALAG II A (Neubrandenburg/ Germany : POW Camp)
    Auschwitz III-Monowitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)
    Auschwitz III-Monowitz (Poland : Concentration Camp)
Hiding or False Identity Location:    Czechoslovakia
Location of Liberation:    Czechoslovakia
Liberated By:    armed forces/ United States
Other Experiences:    displaced persons camps
Interview Date:     29th May 1996
Interview Location:    Florida U.S.A.
Interview Length:    1:33:19
VHA Interview Code:    15607
Experience Group:    Jewish Survivor 

Johann Friederich Heinrich GRONOW (1810 - 1897) Coming to America

Jessica Scofield, has kindly allowed me to share her excellent Blog post about part of her Gronow family from Germany.

Johan and Johannah's marriage record. "Gronow" and "Fischer" are underlined.
From microfilm #0069316, page 384, at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah

     In the 1840s, about 100,000 German emigrants arrived in America each year. In 1848, “when it seemed that Germany might be at last a place worth living in,” that number was cut in half. But hopes were dashed, and emigration swelled. Throughout the 1850s, more than 250,000 Germans arrived annually on US shores.¹ “By 1900, almost one third of people born in Mecklenburg lived outside of the state.”² “These emigrants were the best of their race – the adventurous, the independent, the men who might have made Germany a free and civilized county. They brought to the United States a contribution on inestimable value, but they were lost to Germany.”³

Among the waves of immigrants came several of my ancestors, including Johann Friederich Heinrich Gronow, his wife, Johannah Maria (Fischer) Gronow, and some of their children. But why emigrate?

 To read the full post please visit her Blog and enjoy the rest of this fascinating story Johann Friederich Heinrich Gronow

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Michael J Gronow September Qtr. 1939 East Glamorgan Vol.11a page 1364.

Madeline C Gronow March Qtr. 1940 Cardiff Vol.11a page 795.

Norma Gronow December Qtr. 1944 West Glamorgan Vol.11a page 1494.

Michael J Gronow June Qtr. 1947 Cardiff Vol.8b page 279.

Donald Gronow December Qtr. 1947 Pontypridd Vol.8b page 825.

Robert M Gronow  December Qtr. 1947 Cardiff Vol.8b page 367.

Michael J Gronow December Qtr. 1953 Neath Vol.8b page 531.

Rees Goronwy March Qtr. 1963 Caerleon Vol.8c page 155.

WILLS:

Glanville William Gronow, Probate 25th November 2005.

Joseph Henry Gronow Moses

A Great War Military MBE Belgian Order of The Crown Group of 5 awarded to Q.M & Capt. Joseph Henry Gronow Moses, comprising The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, Hallmarked for 1919, in case issued by Garrard & Co; 1914-1915 Star (2871 Quater Master Sgt Joseph Henry Gronow Moses. York Dns.); 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. J.H.G.Moses); Belgium, Order of the Crown, Knight’s Breast Badge, with silver palm.

M.B.E. London Gazette, 12 December 1919
Belgium - Order of The Crown London Gazette, 21 October 1919.


Pte. Henry Gronow Moses was born on 9 September 1877 in Manchester. His Great War Attestation papers state previous service with the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons. He was embodied in the rank of Corporal with the Yorkshire Dragoons 31August 1914; Sergeant 11 October 1914; Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant 29 May 1915; appointed Quartermaster, Honorary Lieutenant 23 September 1915 1/1st Yorkshire Dragoons. He landed in France on 1 August 1915; Demobilised 15 July 1919, rejoined 1921.

On the 4th September 1906 at St. Peter's Church, a district church for part of the township of Hale, Cheshire he married Marion Hudson the dau.of John Schofield Hudson. Marion died on the 19th December 1928 at 67 Aireville Road, Frizinghall, Bradford. Her Administration was made on the 17th May 1929.

In 1939 Joseph was living at 12 Rydal Avenue , Bradford C.B., Yorkshire (West Riding), England, a Railway Clerk.

Joseph Henry Moses Gronow died 31st January 1962 at 29 Marlborough Avenue, Kingston-upon-Hull, his Will was prroved in York on the 6th April that year.

Recently Acquired Certificates

BIRTHS:

Muriel Gronow December Qtr. 1911 Newcastle T. Vol.10b page 68.

John S. Gronow June Qtr. 1920 Elham Vol.2a page 2549.

Ronald Gronow March Qtr. 1928 Bournemouth Vol.2b page 1036.

DEATHS:

Henry Gronou September Qtr. 1857 St. George Hanover Sq. Vol.1a page 155.

Recently Acquired Certificates:

BIRTHS:
Megan M Gronow March Qtr. 1920 Pontypridd Vol.11a page 1346.


MARRIAGES:
Gertrude K Gronow June Qtr. 1977 Ealing Vol.12 page 167.

Recently Acquired Certificates:

BIRTHS:

Patricia M Smith December Qtr.1938 Mansfield Vol.7B page 78.

The Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD's)

"Their sufferings will be great and it is to us that they will look for comfort and relief. That comfort must not be denied them.”
Queen Alexandra, president of the British Red Cross Society in 1914

At the outbreak of the First World War, the British Red Cross and the Order of St John of Jerusalem combined to form the Joint War Committee. They pooled their resources under the protection of the red cross emblem. As the Red Cross had secured buildings, equipment and staff, the organisation was able to set up temporary hospitals as soon as wounded men began to arrive from abroad. One such place was the Pontyclun Red Cross Hospital, Wales.

 

When the call came, two daughters of Samuel and Elizabeth Ann Gronow of Coed Bychan, Llanharan, Glamorganshire volunteered for nursing duties. Gwladys Maud Gronow 22, her sister Edith Mary Gronow 30, both usually helped on their fathers dairy farm, but from January 1915 until March 1918 both worked part time doing nursing duties at Pontyclun. Gwladys worked 300 hours & Edith 700 hrs. Both women were awarded a roll of Honour Certificate.

(Family Tree No.30)

Pontyclun Institute/hospital during WW1, where members of the Llantwit Fardre Red Cross attended on servicemen c.1916

  St Fagans Archive ‏@archifSFarchive 18 Mar 2014

Recently acquired certificates:

BIRTHS   

Gladys Turvey Gronow June Qtr.1909 Kensington. Vol 1a page 102.
Winifred A. T. Gronow June Qtr.1909 Kensington. Vol 1a page 102.

Battle of Trafalgar 1805

       It’s Trafalgar Day

On October 21, 1805, just off Cape Trafalgar in South Western Spain, the British fleet under Admiral Lord Horatio NELSON defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain, sinking 22 ships for the loss of none.

 Serving on board HMS Royal Sovereign was John Gronow a Marine Private (Ship's pay book number: (ML 36)1 March 1805 Catalogue reference: ADM 36/15755)

There were 136 Royal Marines on board the Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar. Their job during a sea battle was to stand in the rigging firing on the enemy with their muskets or lobbing grenades whenever an enemy ship was in range and to be ready to repel enemy boarders if required. They might also be expected to help with the guns and guard strategically important positions around the ship, such as the weapon store.   

In his General Order, written the day after the battle when he had assumed command of the fleet following Nelson's death, Admiral Collingwood wrote:  "Where can I find language to express my sentiments of the valour and skill which were displayed by the Officers, the Seamen and Marines in the battle with the enemy, where every individual appeared a hero on whom the glory of his country depended?"   

In Rememberance of:

Sarah Myfanwy Gronow
1918 - 2015

Daughter of Mr & Mrs Howells

Passed Peacefully on the 22nd September 2015, Penclawdd, Swansea.
(Tree 20)

Clive Gronow

1954 - 2015
Son of William & Violet Gronow

Passed Peacefully on the 22nd September 2015, Ely Cardiff.
(Tree 4)

William Jeffrey Gronow Davis

1941 - 2015
Son of Jack & Millicent Davis

Passed Peacefully on Sunday 20th September at 'Rushmore' Dorset.
(Tree 14)