Ancestors and family of Thomas Benjamin John

[ed_sue]

I'm hoping that someone might be able to help me with any information regarding my great-grandmother's family and ancestors before they left Wales to go to South Africa.

My great-grandmother was born Blodwen John on the 11 March 1892 and was registered in Pontarddulais, Swansea.  According to information passed on to by family her mother was Miriam Hughes born in abt 1868 in Llangyfelach.  Her father was known as John but I think his name was Thomas Benjamin John, born in abt 1865 in Llangiwg.
Blodwen had 7 siblings:
Elizabeth, born abt 1890 in Rhyndwyclydach
Thomas B, born abt 1891 in Llanguick
James (Jim), born abt 1894, in Wales
William, born 28 March 1896, in Swansea
Sarah, born abt 1900, in South Africa
May, born abt 1903 in South Africa
Danny, born abt 1904 in South Africa
In 1871, I think I've found Thomas John living with his grandparents, John and Sarah Griffiths in Craig Y Merched.
Then in 1881, it looks like he is living with relatives, Owen and Maria Jones (John) and family in Llwynmudw Isaf, Llanguick.
In 1888 he marries Mirriam in Pontardawe.
In 1891 the family are listed living at 44 Craig Ynisymudw Cottages in Llanguick.
I'm not sure when he left for South Africa but Miriam and the children follow on the 10 November 1900.

I would love to find out what happened to Thomas' parents and siblings.  Can anyone help?

I also have a photograph with the wording on the back "John family in Wales at haymaking time". (not sure how to attach - doesn't seem to be giving me the option)

Many thanks,
Sue

[CaroleW]

Hi

In 1871, I think I've found Thomas John living with his grandparents, John and Sarah Griffiths in Craig Y Merched.

Have you found a marriage between a male John and a female Griffiths?

I would recommend buying a copy of his 1888 marriage cert to establish his fathers name and occupation

[CaroleW]

The 1871 entry you refer to shows his birthplace as Carmarthenshire - he was only living in  Llanguicke.  Your Thomas was b Glamorgan

[suzard]

In 1891 the family are listed living at 44 Craig Ynisymudw Cottages in Llanguick.
Many thanks,
Sue

1891
They are living at 44 Craig Ynysmeudwy Cottages in Mawr Glamorganshire

Suz

[ed_sue]

Thank you so much for your quick responses and help.

I'm in the process of waiting for the marriage certificate for Blodwen John in South Africa so that I can confirm her father's name.  So far I've been waiting for 2 years despite the fact that my father has been following it up, in person, every couple of months.  Looks like I will have to go ahead and order her birth certificate which should then give me more information to help with the marriage certificate for Thomas and Miriam.

I wondered if the 1871 entry may have been a slip up on his grandparents part but maybe I am wrong.  I've not been able to find a marriage between a male John and female Griffiths.

[CaroleW]

You really need the 1888 marriage cert if you want to trace their respective ancestry

This is the full 1891 entry for Llanguick - which you may already have

Thomas John 26 Llanguick Glamorgan - tin furnaceman
Miriam   23 b Rhyadwy Clydach Glamorgan
Elizabeth  1 b Rhyadwy Clydach
Thomas B 4 mths b Llanguick
RG12 Piece 4467 Folio 144 Page 18

The 1881 entry you found with him as the nephew of Owen & Maria Jones is the correct entry

[CaroleW]

I've tried to look at it from another angle - without success!!

If Thomas and Maria Jones were his blood relatives - was Maria a John before marriage

Answer - no - she was another Jones

Was there a John/Jones marriage in Glamorgan pre 1865 or anywhere else in Wales - No

My conclusion - he was illegitimate

There are lots of female "John" marriages in Glamorgan between 1865-1871 but Llanguicke came under Neath Registration district before 1875 and whilst it reduces the number - you are still looking at over 30 female "John" marriages in the period 1865-1871

[ed_sue]

Yes, it would appear that there is not going to be an easy way around this.  I'm doing my research on a shoe string budget but it looks like the birth and marriage certificates are what I need to get any further.

I've also been wondering if Thomas may have been illegitimate or that his parents died when he was very young and an only child.

I've also been told about a distant relative by the name of Meirion Mainwaring (born in abt the 1940s) whom my parents met when on holiday in Wales over 30 years ago.  Not sure of the connection except that he was the son of a cousin (Blodwen) to my grandmother.

Thank you again for your help.

[suzard]

can't find meirion's birth reg

there is this marriage reg
Marion Mainwaring
David John
Sept qtr 1949
Neath
8b 1163

may be no connection but as i had found it thought I would post it

Suz