Archives help trace local butcher's family business

Archivists at North East Wales Archives were approached to help John Jones Butchers of Ruthin research some key dates as part of an exciting rebranding project.

John Jones Butchers asked the Archivists to help them research some key dates as part of an exciting rebranding project to overhaul their shop front and create a new logo. The business wanted a fresh modern look but also wanted to include design elements that create a sense of continuity and respect for the business' traditions.

One of the design features to be included in the new logo was a date of establishment. Will Jones, who is the fifth-generation butcher in the family, asked North East Wales Archives for help in finding out how long John Jones Butchers have been part of the community in Ruthin.

Sarah Roberts, Lead Archivist at North East Wales Archives said:

“Family businesses often stretch back through generations with trades and skills passed down from parents to their children, as well as stories of the business in the communities they serve.

“We were happy to help Will Jones pierce together his family history, with the help of some family notes that they had collected over the years, including photographs of gravestones and copies of census records.”

From these records the Archivists were able to date the business to the year 1921. The original butcher, John Jones born in Ruthin in 1867, appeared on the 1921 census for the first time as a butcher. He became a butcher at some point between 1913 and 1921 and originally had a shop at his home in Mwrog Street. He later took over the existing shop on Clwyd Street.

Like many family histories there are still questions that still need answering, such as the exact year John Jones became a butcher, when did the business move from Clwyd Street and why the original John Jones changed jobs from working in the local soda works to butchery in his late 40s or early 50s? Do you know?

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said:

“I am so pleased that North East Wales Archives were able to help Will Jones with the information he needed. John Jones Butchers is such an important asset to Ruthin, as are all the other small local businesses in the area.

“History is such an important part of who we are today, and our Archivists do a wonderful job in protecting that history for future generations.”

Are you part of family business in Denbighshire? Would you like to find out more? Why not use the research service at North Wales Archives to start exploring your story today. They also collect business records, if you have a business archive collection and would like to discuss depositing them, then please contact our archivists for further information.

You can read more about this story on North East Wales Archives’s blog.