Parys Mine and ‘The Royal Charter’ Shipwreck

by Sandra Williams nee Roose
(Rhyl, Denbighshire)

Hi Wil

Whilst investigating my family history I discovered that I am related to the Roose Family with strong associations with the Royal Charter Disaster in 1859 and Copper Mining on Anglesey.

As I am hoping to visit Anglesey in the near future I would like to find out as much as I can about the Roose family.

My three times Great Grandfather, Jonathan Roose, I believe found the copper again in the Parys Mine in Amlwch in the 1850s. Rev Stephen Roose-Hughes is also a relative about whom I would love to discover more.

Best wishes

Sandra

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Dear Sandra

Congratulations. You are from the very best of stock being related with the Reverend Stephen Roose-Hughes and his brother and family.

I’m sure that you will have checked my page on Llanallgo Church where 140 of the victims of the appalling hurricane in the early hours of October 26th 1859 are buried together.

Charles Dickens hailed the Reverend Stephen Roose-Hughes as a hero in his book The Uncommercial Traveller, which I respectfully suggest you read.

A visit to the church and a walk among the older graves will reveal that Moelfre is famous for raising Master Mariners.

For a display of items recovered from the wrecking of ‘The Royal Charter’ can be found at the Seawatch Centre, which is located near the world famous Moelfre Lifeboat Station. You should be able to glean some useful information here.

As for the Parys and Mona Mines (part of the Amlwch Copper Kingdom), I would highly recommend a visit there and a walk around the footpath that will guide you around the once largest copper mine in the world.

For more information I would direct you down to Amlwch Port. Visit the Sail Loft Café for a panad a teisen (cuppa and a cake). Here you can be guided to the recently opened Copper Bin exhibition.

Also check out my Copper Kingdom page.

I believe that the locations I write about above will help you get a real visceral feel for your family history. If Dr Bryan Hope is about, then you’ll be in for a treat.

My very, very best wishes to you and I hope that you find inspiration for your life from your past family members.

Wil