| Background | William Lethbridge, the depositor’s father took his family from Swansea to Hughesovka 8 Sep. 1878. He was followed by his brother Frederick and his family on 13 March 1879
William Lethbridge was a works manager, and the family was originally from Devon. His wife was Mary, their children were-
Amelia (Minnie- depositor’s mother),b. Swansea 2 Oct. 1872
Elizabeth E., b. 26 August 1874
William C. C., b. August 1876
Richard Albert, b. Oct. 1880
George Gower, b. 1 Mar. 1882
Ada Katherine, b. 24 Nov. 1883
At least one child was born in Germany
Mary Lethbridge died in Swansea on 27 April 1886 and was buried Danygraig cemetery on 1 May 1886, aged 41. The gravestone records family’s time in Russia. Her youngest children were taken care of by family in Swansea. The oldest daughters (at least) returned to Hughesovka to their father. William Lethbridge died 26 January 1889, aged 41, and was buried at Hughesovka. His brother Fred died 4 May 1891, and was buried the next day at Hughesovka. His wife Mary Ann and family came back to Swansea in September 1891 and opened a grocery business in Bond Street.
Amelia married Henry Edwin Green 20 March 1897 at Mount Pleasant chapel, Swansea
The family had a good life in Hughesovka – servants, horses, dress-maker came to house to make clothes. Peasants had hard time. Occasionally Cossacks would come to the yard and take away a servant. Children told never to question but would never see that person again.
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Grandmother took bolts of cloth through customs (e.g. calico) disguised as made-up items (e.g.tablecloths, bolsters) rough-hemmed, and made into clothes at Hughesovka. Finer clothes e.g. silks, lace, were smuggled through wound around the girls waists under their clothes.
In the picture of British with Hughes brothers William Lethbridge is standing between David Waters and William Lewis [Behind Lethbridge and Lewis; William Waters married Margaret James]
Information from depositor, 1992
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