| Return to Main Page | Go to Australian Oral History |
Introduction to this Historical Index
This is a list of Indexes available. Please
click on them to get background. Some have comprehensive data, but
otherwise contact the author for a compete set of microfiche.
| Births | Chubut Census of 1895 |
| Baptisms | Muster of 1886 |
| Burials | Railway Employment List of 1890 |
| Deaths | Voting Rolls |
| Marriages | Ship Lists |
This index comprises a number of elements and draws information from many different sources. The index came about in a serendipitously way when I was asked to wait what seemed like endless days to get a birth certificate of my grandfathers' in Rawson. The notion of spending two weeks in the civil registry had never entered my mind until that moment. However the uniqueness of the Argentinian culture contrasted so much with the English tradition of efficient record keeping that I was motivated through my natural sense of orderliness to organise the information for easier reference in future. The result of my work there, and the assistance given to me by other interested people, is a unique genealogical guide.
It is the first time that information on births, deaths and marriages on the Welsh in Argentina is publicly available. Without it, one would need to visit Rawson or Buenos Aires without guarantee that the information is there. The initial BDM information is complemented by lists from various other sources. The index presents information from the time of the first colony in 1865 up to 1900. The author did not have time to collect more genealogical information after that date, although it is around. It is possible that it may be collected in the future and published in a separate index.
There are a number of shortcomings with the index that the reader ought to be aware. These problems are due to both the nature of the source information itself, and to its presentation. Limitations of the data, together with an explanation of the nature of the information and how it is presented here, is noted for the researchers' benefit in a key at the start of the individual lists.
Patagonia refers to an area of land which spans the southern parts of both Chile and Argentina, south of the Rio Negro (see attached maps). In the context of the Welsh Colony, it refers to the upper half of Patagonia where the Wels h colonised the lower Chubut Valley, westwards to Esquel and Trevelin (Cwm Hyfrd area in the Andes). The main settlement area in the lower Chubut Valley is not very large - some 40-50 miles east to west, and 10-20 north to south.
The reason for the emigration of the Welsh to Chubut are well documented in a number of books, the two most important being:
The first shipload of emigrants sailed from Liverpool for Patagonia aboard the Mimosa. As reported in the book "In Search of the Red Dragon", they sang the following song:
On 15 September 1865 the first town in the Chubut colony was named Rawson, after the Argentine minister who negotiated the emigration of the Welsh. Two families settled in Gaiman in 1874, with a minister. Other families joined, most of whom had been members of the Ministers' congregation in Wales, so that by 1875, the town of Gaiman was established 21 miles west of Rawson.
Trelew was established in 1871 and Dolavon in 1880. In 1884, Chubut was declared a province of Argentina. From about 1885 onwards, the Welsh started settling south and west of Rawson to the foothills of the Andes mountain. They undertook a number of explorations to the western part of Argentina, to the foothills of the Andes. It was through these explorations that the Andes were settled, so that in 1894 the new settlement in Cwm Hyfrd numbered 100 people.
The Chubut colony was not the first nor the last of the settlement attempts by the Welsh. Indeed many of the Welsh who went to the Chubut Valley were disappointed in some way and left again to go back to Wales or to take up land elsewhere, either in Argentina or in other countries.
James Rowland published his memories of the 'Vesta' in Y Draford of 6 September 1946 (and the next or previous edition) entitled "Diwed Hanes Mintai'r Vesta". He noted the destination of the following people:
In May 1902 about 320 Welsh left Patagonia to Liverpool on board the Orissa - about 20 people stayed in Wales, and the remainder went to Canada on the Numidian to arrive in Canada on 28 June 1902, at an area later to be known as Bangor Saskatchewan. Some of the people who went to Canada were: Henry Davies, Robert and Catherine Roberts, Anne William, William and Mary Jones .
The Welsh also went to Collie in Western Australia, Leeton in New South Wales, and investigated the possibility of colonising the Northern Territory in Australia. There was also the possibility of settling in South Africa.
In 1885 John Murray Thomas (who came to Chubut on board the 'Mimosa' in 1865), organised an expedition to the Andes led by the Governor of Chubut, Luis Jorge Fontana. The other members of the party were: John Henry Jones, John T Davies, soldier, Henry Davies, David P Roberts, John Owen, Thomas Jones, plasterer, John T Evans, James Thomas, William Katterfeld, engineer, John Evans, James M Wagner, Captain Gregorio Mayo, William Lloyd Jones "Glynn", Herman Faesing, Pedro Derbes, clerk ,Antonio Miguens, William I Thomas, Robert Jones "Bedol", R G Jones "Pant y March", Jenkin Richards, John Wynne, Eduard Jones "Bagillt", Evan Jones, Tommy Davies, Ramon Calvo.
Economic stability of the Chubut colony depended on being able to quickly transport their wheat to market. To do this a railway project was undertaken between Trelew to Puerto Madryn. The need for labour to construct the railway was the reason that the biggest shipload of immigrants from Wales arrived on board the Vesta in 1886. About 300 of the 450 passengers were skilled craftsmen of labourers. The railway was completed between Trelew and Puerto Madryn in 1889. In 1909 the railway reached Gaiman, and in 1917 it reached Dolavon. It goes for 30 miles up the Chubut Valley.
Today the railway has ceased running. The station at Gaiman is now the historical museum, and the station at Rawson is also a museum. Tegai Roberts is the Chief Curator at the museum, and is an expert on the history of the colony.
By 1885, all of the irrigable land in the lower Chubut Valley was occupied. This meant that there was little to offer the Vesta passengers after the railway was completed in 1889. According to James Rowland only 2 people from the Vesta got farms in the Lower Chubut Valley - Lewis Humphreys and Peter Jones. The remainder were offered farms halfway between Gaiman and Esquel. Some took up the offer, but most didn't because it was too far to cart produce to the coast for export. Other men rented farms while many single men returned to Wales. Others took the opportunity to go north to Rio Negro or to Buenos Aires (via the ships). Several men got 'corner' blocks out of the surveyed blocks at the edges of the Valley.
Some useful addresses for source information are listed below.
My own curiosity about my Welsh Patagonian family led me to Argentina on holiday. However had it not been for the magnificent people I met there whilst trying to understand the motivations of my forebears, this index would not have been produced. Sometimes words and gifts are not enough to express our sincerest feelings about the generous treatment we have been fortunate enough to accept at the hands of others - the only way I can thank Marta and Gwyn Rees for putting up with me is to dedicate this historical index to them (sadly Gwyn has passed away). They were the kindest people I have ever met, who without a second thought, took me into their home and treated me as one of their family. They put me in touch with many sources of information, gave me support, housed and fed me, and told me endless stories about the Welsh settlers, their life and land. Marta Roberts de Rees and Gwyn Rees of "Plas y Coed" have not only the oldest, but the best tea house in the Lower Chubut Valley due in no short part to the effervescent personalities of the Rees household, and to Marta's wonderful cooking and warm friendly welcomes. They were an inspiration to me and model for everyone who meets them. Their mastery6 of three languages (and Marta four) was helpful to a stranger in a strange land. My apologies to Gwyn and Marta for my shortcomings (and for damage to the window frame) - next time I shall put away my sadness at leaving and stay for the fried fish. I hope one day to reciprocate in some measure their kindness.
If ever you are in Gaiman, make sure it is in springtime to see the tulips and roses that Gwyn Rees had so lovingly coaxed to bloom. And remember me to Marta as she serves you her refreshing cuppa and delicious cakes. Another stop in Gaiman is the Regional Historical Museum which is the repository for books, photographs, old documents and items of historical significance to the Welsh in Patagonia. Without the dedication and keen interest of Tegai Roberts of the Museum to give me information, to discuss problems I encountered, interpreting Welsh (yet another multilingual speaker), and to map a plan of action, this index would not be as comprehensive as it is. Tegai's cheerful friendliness and dedication in tracking down sources of information for me was another great inspiration. I know she will be pleased with the fruits of our labours, and hope that they are of use to her.
I also wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance given to me by Uriena Rhys Lewis of Trelew who ably translated the Welsh diary of her forebear, Richard John Berwyn, for me to include in the index. Again without her help, this index would only be half complete. She has a wonderful sense of humour, is warm and friendly and keenly interested in her history. It was a pleasure to sit with her and talk over cups of tea about life in the valley, her family, and her experiences. I will hold her to her promise of a tour of the farms in the valley one day. There are other wonderful people to thank, not the least being the management and staff of the civil registry in Rawson who allowed me access to genealogical source information. Without their willing cooperation, this index would not have happened. It goes to show how far just a little bit of Spanish can go.
I acknowledge also the help of the voluntary helpers at Gaiman Museum who were as surprised as I to hear how my Spanish improved. Also thanks to the staff of CEMLA in Buenos Aires, and the many other people who patiently listened to my bumbling inquiries and gave me their fullest cooperation.
ISBN 0 646 18917 4