Castles in the Air

I just finished reading Castles in the Air, about the renovation of Gwydir Castle, the ancestral home of the Wynne family, Sir John and Sir Richard being the two that come immediately to mind.

It occurs to me that although I've always claimed Gwydir as our ancestral home, I've never tied us to it in a true genealogic sence.

Sounds like a new mission to me!!!

L8R
Ray

Gwinn Cemetery and the Geographical Society

As we discuss putting a gate up at the Gwinn Cemetery, the question comes up, "Do we know for sure that the cemetery is really named Gwinn Cemetery?" There are no signs after all. It's located about a half mile off County Line Road, through what used to be a corn field, but looks now like it may be in CRP. The fence is old farm fencing, with a farm vehicle gate (metal type). There are no signs.

As I researched it on the internet, I learned that the US Geological Society, the folks responsible for maps, not only have called it the "Gwinn Cemetery", they named that map square for it. You GI's will recall that worldwide, map squares, approximately 1Km X 1KM are named for a major geographical featcher in that area. The attempt to name them for something that won't "go away" later. I.E. If you had a map named for London Bridge, it would not be in England anymore, it would be in Arizona.

File it under cool but useless information.

L3R
Ray jr

Castles in the Air & A Gate for the Gwinn Cemetery

I've been reading Castles in the Air. I don't have the book in front of me, so I can't tell you the author. It is written by the she side of the he-she that bought Gwydir Castle in Wales and is restoring it.

It is an interesting story, though not extremely well written. The subject matter is interesting enough to keep me reading. It's not that is is poorly written, but that it is more on the level of a 7th grader's English paper.

I also just got a copy of The History of the Gwydir Family by Sir John Wynne. Sir John wrote the book in his study in the Gwydir Castle gatehouse. When that study was destroyed (it was on the 2nd floor, which was removed), a "dove-dropping encrusted" copy of the family history was found there.

At the Christmas reunion of the descendents of John & Leota Gwinn, two possibilities where displayed for a new gate for the Gwinn Cemetary in Wayne County. This is an idea that has been kicking around for several years, but has gained more momentum with my Dad being buried there in '94 and then his brother, Jim, last year. Jim's widow kicked off the fund raising at the 4th of July get-together last year by kicking in the first $100 as a memorial to Jim. We plan to introduce the plan at the Memorial Day reunion which attracts Gwinns from all over Iowa.

See you there!
Ray