Staff at the Swansea Building Society in Wales were astonished when a postcard, dated August 3, 1903, was delivered to them on August 16 this year.
Addressed to Miss Lydia Davies—likely residing at what is now the society’s head office—the postcard was sent by her brother Ewart. The discovery led two families to come forward and uncover their familial connections.
Descendants of Lydia and Ewart recently met for the first time at the West Glamorgan Archive. Ewart’s grandson, Nick Davies, from West Sussex, was joined by Lydia’s great-nieces Helen Roberts and Margaret Spooner, as well as Lydia’s great-granddaughter, Faith Reynolds.
The meeting, which brought together relatives from various parts of the UK, was an emotional reunion. Nick described the experience as “extraordinary,” likening it to a family reunion centered around a common ancestor from over a century ago.
Nick revealed that Ewart, who was just 13 at the time, wrote the postcard while spending his summer holidays at his grandfather’s house in Fishguard. The postcard, which apologizes for not being able to “get the pair of these,” is thought to reference a set of postcards. Ewart also mentioned having about ten shillings in pocket money, excluding train fare.
Ewart and Lydia were two of six children born to John F. Davies and Maria Davies. John F. Davies operated a tailor’s shop from 11 Craddock Street, Swansea, where the building society is now located.
Lydia’s great-nieces, Helen Roberts and Margaret Spooner, recognized her from the story and connected with Faith Reynolds, Lydia’s great-granddaughter, who had not previously known about her relatives.
The postcard will be preserved at the West Glamorgan Archive for both the family and the public to view.Source link
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