Photo of Frank Peers, father of Welsh singer Donald Peers

[Morganllan]

Hello TalkTalk17 

I can't find Osborn FRANCIS Beer after 1881. In 1871, he's with a sister Ellen Jane who later married Henry W Court. Perhaps you could find an American marriage with that surname.

Perhaps the surname change happened because Mary said "Beers" (which was a variation of Beer) and it was heard as "Peers". (P/B can sometimes sound similar when spoken with a Welsh accent!). Frank would still have been using his own name (albeit his middle name).

Today I checked the obituary in "Amman Valley Chronicle" of 21st May 1953, but unfortunately there is no photograph of Frank. Let me know if you want a transcript of the text.

Kindest Regards
Morgan

[Gadget]

Hi Morgan

I'm not sure what info you've received via PM but I've got quite a bit from the Free 1911 index over the last couple of days, which we are allowed to refer to, and the 1900 US census - I'll summarise the 1900 census, in case you've not seen it and for others who might have further information:

Alfred J Beer was in Chicago in 1900, born England aged 30, born June 1870. Married 6 years , he entered US in 1891 and was a Grocer's clerk. No sign of Mary or their children.

He wasn't there in 1910 under that name or Frank Peers/alts.

According to the 1911 free index, an Alfred John Beer, aged 41, was in Eastry but Mary Peers and Donald were in a seperate household.


gnu

[Hackstaple]

Hello TalkTalk17 

Welcome to Rootschat!

For those of us too young to remember Donald Peers, there's this story on Terrynorm's Ammanford site:

http://www.terrynorm.ic24.net/donald%20peers.htm

Unfortunately there's no photo of Frank, although there is a pic of Donald signing autographs in Ammanford.

Best wishes
Morgan

I remember him well "In a shady nook, by a babbling brook".

[Morganllan]

Thank you Gnu     Interesting that we've all made the connection with the BEER family but no conclusive proof yet. I'd used the free index to find Mary and Donald in 1911, as I haven't got access. Wonder where they married.... not sure whether there is a definitive BMD for USA 

Shame that the obit didn't have a photo, which is really what TalkTalk17 is hoping to see!

[Gadget]

I checked the Illinois Marriages  using Mary Rees but nothing coming up.  Not sure whether the online source that I found said what part of the US Mary was sent to to get some therapy - maybe TT17 might know as we'd then be able to home in on that State.

Also, not sure what the other children's names are so can't do proper searches.

I wonder if the national newspapers might have an obit.    Will check tomorrow, if no one else has.

Surprised that the Plymouth Brethren don't have anything in archives.


gnu


PS - I'm also old enough to remember the Babbling Brook on our big valve driven wireless 

[Morganllan]

TT17 mentioned delivery of parcels, and I've found this, which fits with Austin Beer:

1891
Daniel Beer Head age 45  Baker & Postman - employee  born Ash, Kent
Mary Beer  Wife age 42 born Woodnesboro
Austen Beer Son age 14 born Ash
Victor Beer Son age 11 born Ash
Sarah Beer Mother  age 76 Living on her Means  born Woodnesboro

RG12 Piece 734 Folio 15 Page 22

[Morganllan]

I checked the Illinois Marriages  using Mary Rees but nothing coming up.  Not sure whether the online source that I found said what part of the US Mary was sent to to get some therapy - maybe TT17 might know as we'd then be able to home in on that State.

Also, not sure what the other children's names are so can't do proper searches.

Mary apparently went to Hot Springs, Missouri, for treatment

Eldest son was born 1898 Chicago, Elwyn Victor Austin Peers, which fits very nicely with the names of the Beer sons! 

[Morganllan]

1901  Ash St, Ash

Daniel Beer Head age 54 Rural Postman
Mary Beer Wife age 51
Victor Beer Son age 21 Rural Postman
Sarah Beer Mother age 87 Living on own means

RG13 Piece 830 Folio 10 Page 11

so looks as if Beer became Peers!

[Gadget]

Eldest son was born 1898 Chicago, Elwyn Victor Austin Peers, which fits very nicely with the names of the Beer sons! 

Not found on the US 1900  so far under Peer(s) or Beer 

Added - not a lot,  but he seems to have married a Helen and was in the Indian Police Force - as Elwyn and Elwyn V Peers