Behind the scenes: Tracking down the Welsh clergyman

I have a super blurry picture of a picture of an ancestor. How could I fix it?  Here's what I did to track down the original! 

Family member name: William Jones
Years of life: 1854 - 1921

Places lived: Wales, UK

Tree branch: Hargreaves > Jones
Relation: My husband's 2x great-grandfather 

I realllllly want a photograph of as many of my direct ancestors as possible.  My family has an AMAZING collection of portraits.  And so many have identifying information written on the back.  Such a treasure.

Lately I've been doing research on my husband's side of the family.  His great-great grandfather was a clergyman in the Church of England, in Wales.  

Digital family photos included a VERY blurry picture of William Jones.  It was a picture of a picture. The blurry picture shows William's portrait in a frame along with at least two other men, all rectors of a church.   Here it is.

I wanted a better picture!!  How could I find it?  

The title at the top says "Rectors of the Parish of Pontfadog".  I wonder if this picture was hanging in a church in Pontfadog, Wales?  Is it still there? Which church?

Google to the rescue!  I Googled the different churches in Pontfadog.  The results included several pictures of churches.  Then I found some contact information for the parish of Pontfadog.  So, here we go! I emailed the first name on the list.

    1. I received a reply within a day!  The rector said that Pontfadog was not in her area, but she forwarded my email to the person who could help.

    2. Another quick reply from the current rector of Pontfadog.  She said she was familiar with the picture, as it is hanging in the church vestry.  She would take a picture on Sunday. YAY!

    3. Sunday passed with no email received.  After a few days, I pinged her and she immediately sent the picture.  She had taken it but just forgot to send.

Here it is!

 

I learned a couple things about genealogy research from this example.

#1 Pay attention to details.  Even though Grandpa Jones served at three different churches during his career, the picture was hanging in Pontfadog.  Follow the scent!

#2 Take a chance!  If you email someone out of the blue, the worst that can happen is no reply.

#3 People are usually nice and willing to help.  

Our Welsh-American family is very happy to have a clear picture of Grandpa Jones.

   

Source:

Church contacts in Pontfadog 

Other link:

Pictures of Pontfadog