Hi all, you have given me much to think about!
I have ordered a copy of the Rowlands' Welsh Family History, which should be here soon...hopefully that will be helpful as well. Luckily I do know a bit about the patronymic naming system already.
So...
1. There is a possible set of parents in the 1841: Ellis and Judith Holland are alive and well. Their children seem to be: Hugh Ellis 1807, Hugh Ellis 1808, Robert Ellis 1811 and William Holland 1817. These are from the IGI batch #C090331, searched with Ellis as father's first name and Judith as mother's first name, no family name used. Then according to the census, there was also an Ellis 1823 and John 1826, and a granddaughter Judeth 1835.
2. Siblings of the other Roberts:
Ellis Roberts & Elin/Ellin/Elinor/Eleanor: seem to be Margaret 1797, Elin 1802, Gainor 1805, Jane 1808, Robert 1811 and Elizabeth 1814.
Ellis Williams & Margaret: Ann 1805, Owen 1808, Robert 1811, William 1813, Anne 1819, Ellis 1820, and Margaret 1831 (the afterthought
)
3. Robert and Ann married about 1833, alas. There are two Robert Ellis/Ann marriages in the IGI, one in Llandegai and one in Penmachno, but both couples are still in place by the 1841 so it isn't either of them.
Robert and Ann named their children: Ellin/Elinor 1834, Judeth 1838, Ann 1841, Robert 1847, William 1850 and John 1854.
4. Robert and Ann lived at Pentre in 1841 and Fedw from 1851 to 1881. I'm assuming both names refer to the same place, Pentre-Tafarn-y-Fedw, a farm near Bettws-y-Coed.
5. Interestingly, Ann lived as a widow at Penrallt in 1891. I have a photo of her grandson's wife's mother, who also lived at Penrallt. There is a picture of this ancient Welsh lady at
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,236415.0.htmlSome of the restores are amazing.
6. Anybody know if there is a naming tradition in old Welsh custom similar to the Scottish one, like the first daughter being named after the mother's mother or something like that? Cause it sure would come in handy...
Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll chew on them a bit.
Cheers,
China