Our current project involves photographing and researching the older graves at St Elli Churchyard. Why not consider joining us as we unravel the incredible forgotten history of this area and help us reveal the stories of the past. Even if you are novice researcher, we also need help with photography and word processing. Please don't hesitate to contact Linda on 07393 296375 for a chat.
The Index of Graves (under Links) will take you to an alphabetical list of surnames of graves researched and uploaded to date.
To keep track of our progress and to view the headstone we feature monthly, please see our latest posts and monthly updates below:
- April Headstone - Samuel, Mary & Elizabeth GEORGE
Grave E92 commemorates the George and Jones families, whose roots lay in Llangeler, Carmarthenshire, before settling in Llanelly. It marks the short life of Samuel George, a parish schoolmaster, his wife Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Jones, parish clerk of St Elli), and their infant child. The grave reflects a story of strong parish ties, service, and personal loss within the community. - March Headstone - Rev Arthur Griffiths
The story of the Rev. Arthur Griffiths, long-serving Rector of Llanelly, whose fifty-year ministry left a lasting mark on the parish and community. - February Headstone - Thomas Jones-Parry
This month we examine the Thomas Jones Parry monument exploring its inscription, design, and historical context. We trace the lives commemorated on the stone and considers what the memorial reveals about public service, faith, and community esteem in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Llanelly Parish. - January Headstone - the Andrew Children
This headstone records the children of William and Mary Andrew of Gilwern. Their story provides a poignant insight into family life and child mortality in 19th-century Breconshire. - December Headstone - Powell Family
For more than a century and immense social change, the Powell family grocery shops served the people of Clydach. Their story is not merely a family history—it is the story of a community institution woven into village life across generations. This research links with the oral history provided by Jeff Powell and is well worth… Read more: December Headstone - Powell Family - Celtic Festival 2025We were delighted to be asked to set up a display of our Living Stones project at St Elli's Church as part of the Celtic Festival. One of our members, John, went to St Elli's on the Wednesday to greet the 'Pilgrims' who were walking from Brynmawr. Together with Stephen and Gill Maxted from the… Read more: Celtic Festival 2025
- November Headstone - Percy Hilton Barraud
The story of Hilton Percy Barraud spans craftsmanship and change — from his Huguenot ancestors who built London’s famed chronometers to his own life as a Victorian solicitor. His final years in Gilwern, Breconshire, add an enduring mystery to a family history already rich with precision and legacy. - October Headstone - The Davies Family
The Davies family lived at Gellyfellen, Llanelly Hill during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, their lives closely tied to the coal industry that shaped much of south-east Wales. - September Headstone - William & Phyllis Rees
The Rees family of Llanelly Hill were part of a long tradition of Welsh mining families whose lives were closely tied to the coal industry of the South Wales valleys. This story reflects both the hardships and resilience of a close-knit community and the ever-present dangers of life underground. - August Headstone - John & Margaret Michael
The story of a local family whose son Harry served and died fighting in the Spanish-American War. Initially buried there, his body was later reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery in April 1899 — a poignant tribute to a Welshman who served and died far from home. - July Headstone - Richard Lodge
Discover the story of Richard Lodge, a 19th-century grocer from Abergavenny who built a family and business across Monmouthshire and Glamorgan. From personal loss to professional success, and eventual retirement in Yorkshire, this narrative reflects a life of resilience, enterprise, and quiet determination. - May Headstone - Probert Family
Discover the story of the Probert family of Llanelly —spanning generations from iron miners and property owners to a master printer in Blaenavon. This narrative traces their lives through 19th-century census records, revealing resilience, work, and quiet legacy in the Welsh Valleys. - April Headstone - The Ellis Family
Robert Ellis was born to Thomas and Mary Ellist and baptised in March 1797 in Shifnal, Shropshire. He would later become a Mill Agent where his life would unfold amidst the industrial landscape of the 19th century. - Visit to Gwent ArchivesThe Family & Social History Group had a very interesting and useful visit to Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale last Monday. We were fortunate to be shown around by Rhiannon Phillips, the Education & Outreach Archivist who explained to us how the centre is run, how artefacts are restored and organised together with the facilities… Read more: Visit to Gwent Archives
- Daffodils at St Elli ChurchyardThank you, John, for these beautiful photos - Spring has definitely arrived. Special thanks to the Churchyard Chums for all their hard work keeping the churchyard clear and the graves accessible.
- March Headstone - F144 David James Evans
A sad St David's day on 1st March 1927 for Llanelly Hill resident David James Evans' friends and family. We follow the life of David, who, like his father and brothers, toiled in the local mines. His life was tragically cut short in the 1st March 1927 Marine Colliery disaster, leaving behind his wife Ellen… Read more: March Headstone - F144 David James Evans - February Headstone - A19 Major T Lawrence, Dr Evan & Louisa Parry, Anna Pyne
The Lawrence and Pyne families' story spans over a century, beginning with Thomas Lawrence’s military service, including the defense of the Îles St-Marcou in 1798. His sister, Ann Maria Louisa, married naval officer Henry Pyne, and their daughter Louisa wed surgeon Evan Parry. Across generations, the family’s journey unfolds through military valour and medical dedication culminating in their lasting legacy in Llanelly and beyond. - January Headstone - F88 Lewis & Mary Leonard
Explore the life of Lewis Leonard, a Welsh-speaking collier and iron worker. Their story highlights their Welsh heritage and humble but important contributions to their community. - December Headstone - D14a Elias, Elias James, Mary Ann & Ellen GRIFFITHS.
This story captures the life of a working-class Welsh family, marked by hard work, loss, and the dangerous realities of coal mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. - November Headstone - C20 William & Mary LUTHER, Bronwen LUTHER, C21 Jennet, Martin & Margaret Ann LUTHER
A coal mining family from Llanelly Hill. - October Headstone - Elizabeth & John Stowell
Through their story, we see a reflection of their era: the importance of the canals to Welsh industry,the changing nature of work, and the endurance of family bonds. From canal boatman to machineman, from newlyweds to grandparents, John and Elizabeth Stowell's lives paint a picture of a WelshVictorian working-class family. - September Headstone - Meredith-Daniel Family
The Meredith-Daniel family, another story of hardship and resilience. - August Headstone - Joshua, Martha & Mary Ann Vaughan
Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced byfamilies in 19th century industrial Wales and the progress we've made in public health andchild welfare over the past century. - July Headstone - Lewis & Martha Probert
From humble beginnings as a 10-year-old ironstone miner (born in Myrtle Cottage, Gilwern) to Principal of Bala-Bangor Congregational College. - June Headstone - Elizabeth, William, John & Mary Walbeoff
The 1841 Census shows John, age 60, living with his eight children at Dan-y-lan, Llanelly Parish and the 1851 Census shows John, age 70, still working as a labourer and now living at Harewell Rock, Llanelly Parish with his two sons Lewis and Frederick and daughter Christina. Can anyone identify the location of these two… Read more: June Headstone - Elizabeth, William, John & Mary Walbeoff - May Headstone - Major T L Lawrence, Dr Evan Parry, Louisa and Anna Pyne
Major Lawrence, a retired Major/farmer lived at Duffryn Mawr, Lower Common, Gilwern (now a wedding venue) and Dr Evan Parry a GP/Surgeon lived at Ivy Towers and Pen y Dre, Crickhowell. Dr Parry's wife Louisa and his sister Anna are also interred here. Two families linked by marriage. - April Headstone - Anne, Solomon & Maria Chilton
This grave is an example of a family who were not born in this area, (Anne was born in London and Chilton in Shropshire) but undoubtedly moved here for work. Solomon was a mine agent/contractor and clearly became proactive in local affairs in his later years being elected to the Board of Health and other… Read more: April Headstone - Anne, Solomon & Maria Chilton - March headstone - Lt Col Robert Preston Sandeman & Jessy
This is an interesting headstone with a carving of a sleeping dog at the foot of the cross - more information in the file below. The grave can be easily viewed via the gate on the left-hand side of Church Road as you go up to the church from the Gilwern direction. Lt Col Sandeman… Read more: March headstone - Lt Col Robert Preston Sandeman & Jessy - February headstone - Meredith Kenvin
For the first headstone to feature in our monthly update I have chosen the grave of a local man Meredith Kenvin who died in 1865 aged 71 years. You will see that he lived and worked at the Clydach Iron Works before moving to Aberbaiden. He was employed as an "iron baller". I have found… Read more: February headstone - Meredith Kenvin - Living Stones - January UpdateThis is proving to be a challenging, yet fascinating project and we are making good progress. There are 5 plots around the churchyard (A - E) and we estimate there are almost 1,000 graves. Progress at the start was slow due to access problems and many headstones being very difficult to read. We are indebted… Read more: Living Stones - January Update