Daniel Williams (25, Batchelor, Weaver - father Thomas Williams, Farmer) married Rachel Emanuel (24, Spinster, Servant - father Thomas Emanuel Farmer - NB does not say deceased) at Aberpergwm Chapel in the Parish of Cadoxton Juxta Neath - 16th Dec 1855. Witnesses Thomas Williams & John Thomas (all signed except Rachel).
Address given for bride & groom = Glyn Neath.
In 1851 Rachel Emmanuel (20, Sand Seller, b Llandeilo, Cmn) is living with her mother Catherine Jenkins (64, Widow, Sand Seller, b Llandeilo, Cmn) at "Park Row Cellars" Merthyr Tydfil - with grand-daughter Rachel Smith (3, b Merthyr Tydfil, Gla) & lodger Priscilla Edwards (15, Sand Seller, b Merthyr Tydfil, Gla).
Rachel Smith is living back with her parents in 1861
3 Dare St, Aberdare, Gla - Hannah Smith [38, b Swansea, Gla] with husband Thomas [41, Collier, b Crickhowell, Bre] & children John [16, Coal Miner], William [8], Evan [2], Charlotte [18, Labouring], Rachel [13, Nurse], Catherine [5] & Thomas [10] - all children born Merthyr Tydfil, Gla
(Wierd thing is - I can't find the above family in 1851. Birthplaces of the children implies they were in Merthyr but I can find no trace of them
)
Ann Emanuel (of full age, Spinster, Charwoman - father Thomas Emanuel (deceased), Collier) married Thomas Smith (of full age, Batchelor, Miner - father John Smith (deceased), Collier) at High Street Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil 1st July 1844 - witnesses Samuel Morris & Ann Rogers - all signed their mark.
Address given for bride & groom = Ffynon Tydfil, Caedraw, Merthyr.
Catherine Manuel (sic) - Rachel & Hannah's mother (Full age, Widow, Servant - father Evan Thomas, Farmer) married William Jenkins (Full age, Widower, Labourer - father Robert Jenkins, Farmer) - 3rd June 1839 at Merthyr Tydfil Reg Office. Witnesses Daniel Quinlin (the mark of) & Jane Coles (signed).
Address given for bride & groom = Merthyr (
)
All the data implies that they should be in Merthyr Tydfil but I also considered that they may have been back "visiting" in Carmarthenshire. I've looked until I'm blue in the face but :-
a. Can't find Catherine & Rachel in 1841 (Hannah is lodging? in Caedraw, MT)
b. Can't find Hannah & Thomas Smith & family in 1851
c. Cannot definitely find Catherine Jenkins in 1861
The witnesses have not exactly helped either as some of them seem to not exist.
Trying to trace Catherine Thomas born c 1787 Llandeilo, Cmn (father Evan Thomas) & a Thomas Emanuel has also proved nigh on impossible.
If anyone has the time to look into this I would be very grateful. I can't see the wood for the trees!!
Many thanks