Welcome

"When we look back at the nobility of the Old World, with admiration, it is proper that our pride should not fail to recognize the outgrowth of these older civilizations in our own country, for family pride like charity begins at home. But ours is not a nation of hero-worshippers. The reason American genealogy has not won for itself a right to be respected is not merely because ours is a conglomerate civilization, nor because its beginnings were so recent, but because our hasty progress does not permit us to look very far into the past, and our hurried mode of life does not allow us time to collect into suitable and enduring forms the records of the Past." (From the Introductory to The Memorial History of the Felch Family in America and Wales by W. Farrand Felch, Columbus, Ohio, 1881)

According to the ancient Laws of Hywel Dda it was incumbent on all Welsh families to know their relatives to the ninth remove (i'r nawfed ach) and each and every one was responsible for the well-being and welfare of all the others. This particular Welsh tradition is responsible for many of the unique aspects of Welsh culture and history. With a little effort maybe we can reclaim our heritage.

Can you name your ninth great grandparents?

The Felch name has undergone various permutations in North America: Ffelch, Falch, McFelch, McFalch, Faltch, Felche and Felch. In Wales it also has been subject to change: Felcks, Foulches, and Foulcks. The family is of the same descent as the Hughes, Barons of Edeirnion, County Merioneth, Wales, who derive a royal lineage, through the ancient Princes of Powys and the monarchs of North and South Wales, from Roderick the Great (Rhodri Mawr). Germanic variants include Felsch and Felchenhauer.