Cole/Tornquist family history

[annekay]

I am researching the Cole family in Merthyr Tydfil particularly Thomas Cole and his oldest daughter Elizabeth Place (or Rees) Cole born in 1854. She had 12 siblings including Mary Place Cole who married Andrew Murray. Elizabeth was brought up in the home of her grandparents and would appear to have married Edmundo Alfredo TORNQUIST by 1873 and had two children in Chile born in 1874 and 1879/80. I am trying to discover how she came to be in Chile. Her husband, according to family tradition, was into silver mining there. Would there have been any reason for South Americans to be in the Merthyr area at the time or for people from Merthyr to emigrate to South America? She must only have been 18 or 19 when she went and as far as I can tell the rest of the family didn't go. Any help would be appreciated.

[mikemerthyr]

I am unsure about your individual family but have come across advertisements for young miners from Merthyr Tydfil to go to South America
especially to the copper mines. I came across a reference to miners wanted in Cuba for the mines there. However, usually recruitment was achieved through an agent who would come to Merthyr Tydfil from an area wanting skilled miners ( I have seen details of agents from Australia, North America and South America. Perhaps Edmundo Alfredo TORNQUIST was a visiting agent and met Elizabeth in Merthyr and she went back with him.
Regards
MIKE

[annekay]

Thank you for your suggestions which are much appreciated. Anne