Posted on 11/03/2006 6:30:49 PM PST by blam
The Joneses set a record in Wales (where else?)
By Richard Savill
Last Updated: 1:10am GMT 04/11/2006
It was the ultimate in keeping up with the Joneses - 1,224 of them arrived in Cardiff last night to claim a record for the largest gathering of people with one surname.
They came from as far as Australia and America to beat the record held in Sweden by 583 people called Noberg.
"My mother always said that if you were called Jones you would never be alone in this world," said Simon Jones, 43, who flew with his wife Becky from Kentucky to join in the celebration at the Wales Millennium Centre.
"It is like one big family party. We can't have the Swedes holding this record. It is a matter of Welsh pride."
Jones is the most common surname in Wales and derives from the first name John.
Last night's show, billed as "Jones Jones Jones", featured music, dance and comedy.
To gain entry, identification such as a passport or a driving licence showing their surname had to be produced. The gathering caused long queues with background music played by the Ynysowen male choir.
Such was the confusion in Cardiff that hotels had to switch to distinguishing people by their first names.
There was similar confusion over taxis and drinks ordered at the interval.
A group of Americans got around the problem by calling themselves Nebraska Jones, Ohio Jones, and New York State Jones.
Carl Jones, 42, a personnel manager, from Swansea, said: "Breaking the record has given some kudos to the name.
"There are five Joneses in the Welsh rugby team to play Australia today so we are making a good contribution." His wife Fiona, a civil servant, who had the maiden name Wilson, said: "I was from a small family but when I got married it was like joining a clan."
Berwyn Emrys Jones, 69, from Lincoln, Nebraska, and president of a Welsh heritage museum in America, said: "This is a brilliant night. I am very proud to have the name. The only time there is a problem about being a Jones is when someone pages the name and 25 of us stand up."
Eileen Jones, from Church village, near Pontypridd, attended with her six grandchildren, Ellie, 10, James, seven, Jack, six, Lindsay, four, Anthony, two, and Alex, one.
She said: "We're all proud to be Joneses. What could be better than spending a few hours celebrating that?
"Where we live there are Joneses everywhere. It's a badge of honour to share the surname."
A newly married couple interrupted their honeymoon for the event.
Nick and Christine Jones were due to holiday in West Wales but stopped off in Cardiff for the celebration.
Mrs Jones said: "A week ago, I couldn't have come to this because I was a Lloyd. But now I'm a Jones and proud to come along with my husband to celebrate."
Grace Jones, a former Bond girl, supermodel and 1980s pop star, performed hits from her album Slave to the Rhythm. Opera singers Dame Gwyneth Jones and Gwyn Hughes Jones were among other performers.
But perhaps the most famous Jones, the singer Tom Jones, could not take part because his real surname is Woodward.
My maternal Grandmother was a VanBuskirk! At least its Welsh!
Congrats to all the Jones! I wonder how may of them are descended from coal miners like I am?
It's not unusual.
They're hard to keep up with!
LOL. (I get it.)
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Gotta love this story and thread. Guess what the "j" in my screenname stands for. ;-D
You aren't Jonesing me are you?
This record won't stand long. Next month in Krakow they're having the world gathering of Czyzewskis.
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