A Caerphilly teacher born in Wolverhampton is to investigate her Welsh heritage in the latest episode of S4C’s family history series Perthyn.
Sam Jarrett has taught second language Welsh at St Cenydd Comprehensive School for almost 18 years. Her family moved to the valleys when she was two-years-old. Despite coming from an English-speaking family, she says that she felt drawn to the Welsh language while at school which led to her vocation as a Welsh teacher.
Miss Jarrett said: “When I was growing up, everyone I knew came from England. English was the language the family spoke and we were English. But, I always enjoyed learning Welsh in school, and felt myself drawn towards the language.”
Despite her English sounding surname, Miss Jarrett’s research has uncovered several Jarrett families based in the Meirionnydd area of north Wales.
She added: “I would love it if there was a connection between these Jarretts and my Jarretts. I’d love to have a family connection with Meirionnydd and Wales.”
The Welsh teacher, who has already carried out a bit of family research herself, will be helped by the family history team at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
Perthyn will be broadcast on S4C 9pm, Wednesday June 8 with English subtitles. It will also be broadcast again, with on-screen subtitles, on Sunday June 12 at 12.05am.