A Special Appreciation

One of the great experiences of this research, which I would not have had if my maternal grandparents had not had their roots in Myddfai, has to be the discovery of a book written by David B. James called “Myddfai, its Land and its Peoples.” David B. James was born and raised in Myddfai and  has done, not only the community of Myddfai, but also the whole of Wales, a service by producing this wonderful history of the Parish. Now sadly out of print, it contains much valuable information, not only specific to Myddfai, but also more than that, an insight into the way that the people of this rural parish lived. David James in his introduction says in better words than I can muster something of what it is that is so interesting about the past.

"In moments of reflection it is not uncommon for one to speculate on what a place or locality was like in past ages. How did its inhabitants view moments of joy, tribulation and the daily round and was their attitude in essence any different from that of present-day inhabitants? Such speculations are of perennial interest and are possibly of greater poignancy today than they have been in the past since most people now seem to have an awareness of immense changes having taken place in their environment and society. In today's seemingly more mobile and less settled communities, the past seems to be of increasing rather than diminishing interest. Many it seems feel the need to know something of the rock of which they were hewn and more interestingly perhaps those who are new to a locality can feel a greater sense of identity and participation in the local community when they know more of its past. This book represents an attempt to meet some of these aspirations with respect to the community of peoples having an interest in the parish of Myddfai. There is nothing that obviously and uniquely distinguishes the parish of Myddfai from the many other rural parishes in what was recognised as the county of Carmarthenshire. The casual visitor will find that its topography and landscape are in general indistinguishable from that of the many other parishes of the region where farming has been the principal and traditional occupation of the majority of its inhabitants."

(David B. James Myddfai its Land and People Ch. 1 "By Way of Introduction")

In my humble opinion, Mr James has achieved his objective and his attempt has succeeded - it's a book to savour and enjoy giving valuable insights into life in a rural community particularly in the 19th century. Those who want to get a flavour of the book can do so via the internet where on www.genuki.org.uk Mr. Gareth Hicks has made extracts from the book available with Mr James' permission. You can find it here

Incidentally for those privileged to own a copy of this book, I recently discovered one for sale for £1066.