cadtree


	Family History / Hanes fy Nheulu


	and some information on local sources/ ag ychydig wybodaeth am tarddiadau lleol

	The stylised image above represents the Dragon of Cadwalader holding a standard with the arms of Prince Owain Gwynedd and clutching a shield with the arms of Collwyn ap Tangno of Eifionydd, Chief of the fifth tribe of North Wales. It is NOT the "Coat of Arms of the Cadwalader Family" We do not claim to "bear arms"

	"The Welsh value distinguished birth and noble descent more than anything else in the world. They would rather marry into a noble family than into a rich one. Even the common know their family tree by heart and can readily recite from memory the list of their grandfathers, great-grandfathers, great-great grandfathers, back to the sixth or seventh generation..." (Gerald of Wales )



	is an "Old Welsh" name meaning "organiser of battles" (General?). It can be traced back to Roman times. There were old Welsh Kings named Cadwalader, Cadwal and Cadwallon.

	Kingdoms of Wales. David Ford's excellent site.

	There are various spellings of the name. In general it could be said that CADWALLADER is a completely Anglicised version and CADWALADR pure Welsh. Our spelling, CADWALADER seems to be the most common.

	Enw "Hen Gymraeg" yw Cadwalader yn meddwl "cynlluniwr brwydrau". Medrwch ei dilyn yn ôl i amser Rhyfeiniaid. Yr oedd hen freninnoedd Gymru â enwir Cadwalader, Cadwal â Gadwallon. Y mae wahanol sillafu ô'r enw, megis, yn llawn Gymraeg - Cadwaladr â mewn Saesneg - Cadwallader.

	Fortunately our ancestors hardly moved from around the Criccieth area (Map) so it was relatively easy to trace them back to the 17th century with many side lines much further back. (New information and lineages have been authenticated and a summary given below April 2004)

	Preswyliodd ein gyndadau ô gwmpas Gricieth (mapiau) am gannoedd ô flynyddoedd. Y mae hwn wedi gwneud ô'n haws i ddilyn nhw yn ôl i'r 17fed ganrif a bellach yn ôl - mae'n posibl. (Hysbus newydd ac achau wedi cael eu profi Ebrill 2004)

	Click here to see my simplified Family Tree / Cliciwch yma i weld dipyn o nghwreiddiadau fy nheulu (Updated with the information mentioned below October 2004)
	Over the past twenty five years my brother John and myself have researched the parish registers, Bishop's Tanscripts, wills and letters of administration, housed at The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, mostly covering the area of the old commote of Eifionydd in South Caernarfonshire. These documents have been studied over the years by men such as Myrddin Bardd, J.E.Griffiths, Alltud Eifion, Colin Gresham and many others and their findings published. Sometimes conclusions are just copied or sometimes contradicted. In recent years Professor T.Ceiri Griffith has done extensive work, first published in 1989 in his book "Achau ac Ewyllysau Teuluoedd De Sir Caernarvon" and in his new book published this year (2004) which I have not yet seen. Research into the documents at the National Library, locating gravestones and agreement by T.Ceiri Griffith's work confirms that our most direct line starts from Cwm Pennant. (a valley in the foothills of Snowdonia) with Robert David (1654-1738) of "ISALLT" in the parish of Llanfihangel y Pennant. These records do not go further back and it is neccesary then to connect with one of the well known pedigrees of the local landed gentry. We suspected that Robert David's father was David Fychan (Vaughan) of Glasfryn whose lineage is well documented and authenticated. Others were on the same track (Maredudd ap Rheinallt and Prof Griffiths). In the latter's new book this connection is taken as proven so therefore it is possible to go as far back as one wants to, through Owen Gwynedd, prince of North Wales in the 12th C, to the ancient Kings of Britain. It is also possible to trace a line to the English King, Edward the First.

	The photo above is of Llanfihangel y Pennant church, where Robert David is buried Y mae'r foto uwch ben yn dangos Eglwys Llanfihangel y Pennant, lle claddwyd Robert David

	" Mi garaf hen gwm fy maboed, Tra medraf fi garu dim; Mae ef a'i lechweddi'n myned O hyd yn fwy annwyl im : A byddaf yn gofyn bob gwawrddydd, A'm troed ar y talgrib lle tyr Pam, Arglwydd, y gwnaethost Gwm Pennant mor dlws? A bywyd hen fugail mor fyr?" *Eifion Wyn*

The "gentry" of the area were descendants of either the local chieftain Collwyn ap Tangno or from Owen Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales. These descendants developed into the main estates of Aberkin, Clennenau, Bach y Saint, Gwynfryn (Llanystumdwy), Ystum Cegid, Cefn Treflaeth, Trefan, Ystumllyn and Brynkir. Cadet branches of these families held smaller parcels of land. A crude division suggested by Gresham was that Collwyn's descendants held the low and coastal lands and descendants of Owain, the mountains and valleys such as Cwm Pennant.

Gwen Roberts, daughter of Robert David (1654-1738) was the mother of Dafydd y Garreg Wen, well known folk composer and harpist who wrote "Rising of the lark" and other airs. The history of the "Isallt" branch of the family is told in Alltud Eifion's book "Hanes y Teulu Isallt" (he also wrote "Y Gestiana"). For several generations the menfolk of this family were renowned bone-setters and surgeons.

Ar ol astudio'r cofrestau y plwyfi , ewyllysau a dogfennau eraill ynglun ar cwmwd Eifionydd cawn weld fod yng nghwreiddiol, Cwm Pennant oedd y lle fe ddechreuodd ein teulu, yn y fferm "Isallt" (sydd yna byth) gyda Robert David (1654-1738). . Mwy bell yn ol mae rhaid cysylltu a'r teuluoed y "pobl mawr" . Disgynodd yr uchelwyr yma ô Collwyn ap Tangno, bennaeth llwythol yr ardal, neu ô Owain Gwynedd, Dywysog Gogledd Cymru. Awgrymir Gresham mai preswylwyd disgynyddion Collwyn yn yr iseltiroedd â'r ardal arfordir ag yn y fynyddoedd â'r cwmoedd y teuluoedd yn hannu ô Owain.

Roeddwn byth yn credu mai Dafydd Fychan o Glasfryn (Cwm Pennant - nid Llanystumdwy) oedd Tâd Robert David ac yn y diweddar mae eraill wedi cyrraedd yr un farn (Maredudd ap Rheinallt a'r Athro T.Ceiri Griffith). Mae'r dwythaf wedi dangos hwn yn ei llyfr newydd fel gwirionedd wedi ei profi. Os fellu mae'n possibl i dilyn ein achau yn ol trwy Owain Gwynedd i'r hen Breninoedd hen Frydain.

Un o ferched Robert David oedd Gwen Roberts, fam i "Dafydd y Garreg Wen" (1711-1741), y delynwr enwog ô Ynyscynhaearn a gyfansoddodd yr alaw "Codiad yr Ehedydd" ag eraill. Y mae'r hanes y gangen hwn yn y llyfr "Hanes y Teulu ISALLT" gan Alltud Eifion. Am llawer genhedlaethau oedd dynion y teulu yma yn llawfeddygion enwog.

Robert David's son, David ap Robert (obit 1732), farmed at "TYDDYN DDU BACH" , Glandwyfach (behind the Goat public house), parish of Penmorfa. This property is marked on the Tithe Map and schedule of 1843 but is now a byre in the modern farm of "Tyddyn Ddu". The remains of the fireplace and hearth are still visible. David ap Robert's father in law was Kadwalader Griffiths esq of the same parish. He died of an accident when he was young in 1694. This is recorded in Dolbenmaen Parish Church register. We have a copy of his letter of administration (in Latin) and his inventory of goods and chattels. This document was attested at "CESAIL GYFARCH" in Penmorfa, the home of Bishop Humphreys of Bangor.

Symudodd un o feibion Robert David, David ap Robert, i blwyf Penmorfa, i Glandwyfach lle ffermiodd fô a wedyn ei fâb Cadwalader David am ddros can mlynedd. Enw'r fferm llê trigodd nhw oedd "Tyddyn Ddu Bach", yn ty ôl i'r "Goat Inn". Y mae'r ty i weld ar y Fap Degwm a cofrestr ôr' blwyddyn 1843. Y mae'r fferm wedi mynd es 'talwm ond fedrwch gweld llê 'roedd yr hên dy; beudy ydi o heddiw ma, nesa i'r fferm fodern "Tyddyn Ddu". Y mae oilion y lle tân â'r aelwyd i weld byth.

David ap Robert named his son Cadwalader (1727-1810) after his father in law. Cadwalader Davies (David), who lived at Tyddyn Ddu Bach all his life, had two sons, John and William who moved to "PEN Y BRYN" farm in Criccieth in the 1790's. John's descendants still live there and there are many members of this family scattered throughout Criccieth and Eifionydd (map). We are descended from William Cadwalader (1761- 1840). His son David Cadwalader 1805-1858 (possibly also called himself David Williams after the Welsh style) lived at "WERNDDU", High Street, Criccieth. He was a builder and built, amongst other properties, Corporation Terrace and the "Prince of Wales" pub. He was the first landlord there. His brother Cadwalader (Christened 1816) was a seafarer and then followed five generations connected to the sea. My Maritime Database/ Hysbysrwydd Arforol

The "Prince of Wales" early last century.

Mâb David ap Robert (by farw un 1732) oedd Cadwalader David (1727-1810). Gafodd ei enwi ar ôl Kadwalader Griffiths (marw 1694), ei thaid ar ochr ei fam. Mâb i fô oedd William Cadwalader "Beudy Goch", Cricieth (1764-1840). Cymrodd ei fâb David, Cadwalader am cyfenw yn y ffordd Saesneg ond Williams elwyd ei frawd Cadwalader yn y ddrefn Gymreig (ddim Cadwalader Cadwalader!) a felly plant ei frawd, John Cadwalader "Pen y Bryn", a cymrodd, yn gyntaf, Jones (ar ôl John) a wedyn Owen ar ôl ei fâb Owen Jones a dynna yw'r cyfenw y teulu hwn hÿd heddiw.

William Cadwalader (bu farw 1840) oedd yr gyntaf i byw yng Nghricieth. Yn y blwyddyn 1790 sefydlodd fô a'i frawd John yn "Pen y Bryn" (mae'r teulu yn y 'rhyn fan byth) a "Ty (neu Beudy) Goch", Mae'r bwthyn hwn wedi diflanu 'rwan. I fynny Lon Fêl, gyferbyn "Brynawelon" ger "Parciau Bach" yr oedd y llê (medrwch gweld boncan yn y cae llê 'mae'r oilion y ty). 'Roedd ei fâb, David Cadwalader (1805-1858), yn byw yn "Wernddu" ag ar ôl ei adeiladu, yn y tafarn "Prince of Wales" am ychydig amser . Trigodd ei ferch, Dorah Helen, a fy nhaid yn "Wernddu" tan ddiwedd y ganrif. Ar ôl sbel yn "18 Marine" a "8 Castle Street" adeiladodd fy nhaid yr "Iris" (nid yw llawer yn adnabod bod dyna yw'r enw cywir i'r siop Cadwalader).

Taid (Grandfather) was a seafarer and a fisherman. After his return from Australia in 1900(?) he settled down and set up our family business based on the holydaymakers who were by then making Criccieth a popular seaside resort. He hired out boats, canoes, deckchairs and changing tents from the beach near the jetty. Over the next few years the "Blue China" teashop was built and the "Iris" which was, at first, a fishmongers then the well known ice cream shop. After he died my father, Robin, his brother Dafydd and their sisters carried on the business.


Taid(sitting), dad (behind him) one of the girls (there were eight) and ? probably just after the Great War		Aunt Bessie outside the Blue China with a "visitor"

Morwr a bysgotwr oedd Taid. Ar ôl dychwelu ô Awstralia, ar droiad y ganrif dwythaf, sefydlodd i lawr a ddechreodd fusnes ein teulu, yn llogi gychod, canws, pabellau newid a cadeirau lan môr. Adeiladodd y "Blue China" a siop Cadwalader llê werthod pysgod i ddechra' a wedyn hyfen iâ. Hefyd oedd ganddo ugain garej, gweithdy, a pwmp petrol ym Maes Ty'n Gelaist (tu ôl i Caerwylan). Ar ôl ei farwolaeth, fy nhâd, ei frawd Dafydd â'u chwiorydd rhedodd y fusnes.

Notes on Genealogy and Local History

Nodiadau am Achyddiaeth ac Hanes yr Ardal

Don't start off thinking that a second name such as JONES, WILLIAMS, EVANS, HUGHES MORRIS, PARRY, CADWALADER, DAVIES etc go back several generations. Those are English style surnames. Remember that the Welsh followed a "patrynimical" naming system, taking their father's (or grandfather's) first name as their second name sometimes placing "ap" or "ab" (son of) or "erch" "fch", "ach" or "vch" (daughter of) in front. Welsh names with P in front are derivations such as "ap Harry" became the English style surname PARRY, "ap Richard" became PRITCHARD, "ap Rhydderch" became PRYTHERCH etc etc. It is therefore common to find Cadwalader as a christian name up until recently. In fact it can still be found as a middle name around Criccieth. The last of our ancestors to be actually christened Cadwalader called himself Cadwalader Williams (Christened 1851) - taking his grandfather's first name as a surname (He was the last to use the old system. In 1878 his name appears on the crew agreement of the well known local schooner "Cadwalader Jones" owned and commanded by his cousin John Cadwalader (Jones). The aristocracy were the first to adopt English style surnames e.g. the WYNNS of Gwydir, followed by townspeople and finally the country folk. The Welsh system was still used by farming families until the late 19th century. When Welsh emigrants settled in the colonies they usualy adopted the English system and took a surname.

Cofiwch y ffordd Gymreig am gyfenwau. Cymrodd llanc neu hogan enw gyntaf ei nhad (neu taid) am gyfenw a weithiau rhoid "ap/ab" neu "erch/ferch/vch" ô flaen. Newidodd yr bonheddwyr i'r fordd Saesneg yn buan iawn, wedyn bobl y drefi a dwytha' i newid oedd bobl amaethol a gefn wlad.

We have copies/extracts from Parish registers, Bishop Transcripts. list of wills, inventories, letters of administration and various other documents relating to the parishes of :- Criccieth, Llanystumdwy, Penmorfa, Dolbenmaen, Ynyscynhaearn and Llanfihangel y Pennant. Most of the wills are for ancestors going back to the "Isallt" family. Other sources are: Hearth Tax returns, Censuses, Tithe schedules, papers of famous persons and families, records of historic events and many other documents that are stored at The National Library of Wales at Abeystwyth or at Gwynedd Archives, Caernarfon. At the last named repository are stored records relating to the geographic area of the former historic county of Caernarfon, including local government archives, public and official archives, private archives including those of families, estates, industry and trade; and archives of ecclesiastical parishes.

Mae'r casgliad yn cynnwys detholiadau ô'r cofrestrau blwyfi y frô ag ewyllysau a papurau eraill ein hynafiadau. Tarddiadau i archwilio yw'r: Trethi aelwyd, cyfrifiadau, cofrestrau ddegwm a llawer ô ddogfennau sydd wedi ystorio yn y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol yn Aberystwyth ac Archifdy Gwynedd yng Nghaernarfon. Yn y fan yna y mae gofysgrifiau yn perthyn i ardal ddaearyddol hen sir hanesyddol Caernarfon, gan cynnwys archifau llywodraeth leol, archifau cyhoeddus a swyddogol, archifau preifat yn cynnwys teuluoedd, ystadau diwydiant a masnach ac archifau'r plwyfi eglwysig

Many books have been written about the Eifionydd district. Some, such as "Y Gestiana,", have been reprinted and I have bought several from second-hand book shops. Others can be found in the local libraries at Criccieth, Porthmadog and Pwllheli and all are at the National Library in Aberystwyth. Two outstanding books published in recent years are "Eifionydd" by Dr Colin Gresham and "Achau ac Ewyllysau Teuluoedd De Sir Gaernarfon" by Prof. T.Ceiri Griffith. Both have been thoroughly researched. The former traces all the landowning gentry while the latter deals ly with the ordinary/farming/yeoman families. J.E.Griffith's "Pedigrees of Caernarvonshire and Anglesey Families" is a major reference book. "Gleanings from God's Acre" (haven't seen it yet) and other works by Myrddin Fardd are full of snippets about the area. His scrapbook would be good to see. The source of much of the early pedigrees is Lewis Dwnn's "Heraldic Visitation of Wales and the Marches" in the 16th century.

Y mae llawer ô llyfrau ar gael am yr ardal...... "Eifionydd" gan Colin Gresham ag "Achau ac Ewyllysau Teuluoedd Dde Sir Gaernarfon" gan T.Ceiri Griffiths yw'r gorau. Hefyd treiwch "Y Gestiana" gan Alltud Eifion ag ysgrifen Myrddin Fardd. Y mae "Pedigrees of Caernarvonshire and Anglesey Families" gan J.E.Griffiths yn werthfawr ac yn cynnwys yr achau pwysig yr ardal. Y mae rhan mwyaf ô waith gynnar yr ymchwilwyr yma yn tarddu o Lewis Dwnn, Herodr y Frenin a helodd achau y teuluoedd bonheddigedig yn y 16fed ganrif .

Much of our research involved determining which parish certain farms or properties lay in (these boundaries changed over the years). We have collected many maps, printed and hand drawn, and correlated much of the information in Dr Gresham's, and others' books.

Y mae llawer ô'r archwiliad wedi mynd i penderfynu yn pa blwyf mae ffermydd arbennig a tai yng ngorwedd. ( Digwyddodd llawer ô newidion ddros y flynyddoedd). Yr ydym ni wedi grynhoi mapiau ac archwilio waith yr awdurion uwch ben .

My brother John and myself have gathered much information on our family. Most of mine is still only in print but John has transferred a considerable amount to electronic media.

Y mae fy mrawd a innau wedi hel llawer ô wybodaeth am ein teulu. Mae John wedi ddatblygu bâs-data electronig sydd yn cynnwys ddros ddeng fîl ô enwau.

John has a website under construction which already has some genealogical information and a "Tree" is under development)

Y mae gan John wêfan dan ddatblygiad gyda mwy ô wybodaeth am achau ein teulu Click here to see it/ Cliciwch yma i'w weld

Click here for Gwynedd Family History Society/Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd

Some Notes on Tracing your Welsh Ancestry

My Bibliography/Llyfryddiaeth

Wales and the world Cymry arwasgar

Some of this information may be of interest to persons interested in genealogy. Cadwalader is not such an unusual name. There are many in North America. Some of these are descendants of Welsh Quakers, from Meirionydd and mid Wales, who emigrated with William Penn in the 1680s and founded Pennsylvania. Other later emigrants moved from the South Wales coalfields to places such as Scranton where there was a booming iron and coal industry. Other North Wales men went to New York state to the slate quarries, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr men to granite quarries and of course the movement to Patagonia starting in the middle of the last century. There are Welsh communites in the coal mining areas of New South Wales, Australia and farming folk emigrated to New Zealand. In fact, for such a small nation I would say we have a presence in every country in the world.

'Rwyn gobeithio mae rhywbeth yn y dydalenau yma yn ddiddordebol i ynrhyw Cymro/Cymraes sydd arwasgar. Y Cymry sydd yn byw yn Cymru byth - cofiwch - efallai mae'r pethau sydd yn codi hiraeth yn ychydig i chwi ond phwysig i ni, ... mynedd!

Other sections on this Site/ Saflonau eraill ar y Wefan yma

Guest Book and Contact Details

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