A GROUP of Americans are to visit North Wales next week to following in their ancestors' footsteps. Members of the Wynne Genealogy Club from the States will visit relatives and see the original homes of their ancestors at the invitation of the mayor of Caerwys, Phillip Parry. There is an important historical connection between Caerwys and Philadelphia in the USA. Thomas Wynne, a local surgeon, sailed on The Welcome in 1682 with William Penn. Wynne became the first speaker of the Provisional Assembly, a provincial judge and was instrumental in agreeing the treaties with the local Indian tribe, Lenni Lenape. Just as importantly, the original street plan of Philadelphia was designed on the rectilinear street pattern of Caerwys. Welsh names are in abundance, together with properties built in Philadelphia that resembled buildings in the Caerwys area. Some of those buildings are still standing today, together with Thomas Wynne's ancestral homes in Caerwys and Philadelphia. "The group of just over 20 visiting Americans are from several states in America and are all descendants of Thomas Wynne," said Cllr Parry. "They have held Wynne genealogy reunions in different states for over six years. This visit has been planned for over two years and some of them have never been out of America before. "All are either staying with local Caerwys families or in other accommodation in Caerwys." During their stay they will visit Caerwys school for a question and answer session; Bron Fadoc, the birthplace of Thomas Wynne; The Tower at Nercwys; Ysceifiog Church; Maes-y-Coed at Afonwen, the home of Bishop Wynne; the Flintshire archives at Hawarden; Bodfari Church; Bodnant Gardens; Gwydir Castle; St Winefride's Well at Holywell; Penrhyn Castle; and Llandudno. | 
