Humans of Cymru is a blog which aims to celebrate stories of everyday Welsh people. The stories we aim to cover are inspirational in nature and hopefully provide the reader with not just inspiration but warmth as well. You can find us on Facebook, where we share similar stories.

David Broom, 60, is an American who soon realises that he’s a Welsh descent. He has been taking interest in learning Welsh and later this year, he plans to visit where his Welsh ancestors are from. 

“Growing up as an American quite often means maybe not knowing your true heritage and definitely wondering what your ‘culture’ is.  I was raised with German and Jewish traditions even though we knew we had Scottish, and Irish ancestors.  It wasn’t until I started exploring my DNA and lineage that I found, to wonderous surprise, I am also of Welsh descent!”

David Broom

“I learned that my Welsh ancestors were from Barry, Penarth, and Pontypridd.  I felt a calling to visit those areas foremost on my first trip to Wales, later this year.”

“I have also been learning to speak Welsh from Duolingo and from listening to the Welsh singer: Bronwen Lewis.  For me, learning to translate a song is a great way to learn a language. I find a song I like and then I start the translation process. It does become difficult learning a new language at 60 years of age. I already speak American Sign Language and German so adding another one gets muddled sometimes. But this is learning a language of my ancestors. I want to do my part in helping to keep Cymraeg alive and growing!

The people I have come to know in or from Wales have been the best, most welcoming people I have ever known.  I am so proud to have this kinship with them.

“Learning to speak Welsh or knowing about the county, it’s history, culture, traditions…all of it… is MY way of honoring my ancestors and connecting to a heritage that I have been searching for.”

David Broom

Stay with it! This is your heritage, your language, your culture – it is a part of YOU.  Honor it. 

I’ll see you in Bannau Brycheiniog! DIOLCH!  – Dai”

We love this story submitted by: David Broom. Have a story to share? Submit today via email: sallygeorge@welshhistories

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Sally George

Sally is a proud wife of a Welshman, editor & writer of Welsh Histories. She’s all about stories—that shout ‘anything Welsh.’ Drop her an email if you have an advice, insight, experience, or a story to share.