Lewis Rhystud Davies b. 1848

[silentnoise3]

Hi All,

I've hit a brick-wall researching my fiance's family tree. Her great great grandfather was Lewis Davies who took the bardic name Rhystud later in life.

I've found out lots of information regarding him, such as he married twice, was a school master in llanddewi brefi and eventually became a minister. I have him definately on censuses 1871-1911 and recently acquired his marriage certificate to his first wife hoping it would state who his father was however nothing was listed!

It's the first time I've come across this and I would imagine if he didn't know who his father was then it would be pretty impossible? or difficult at least to trace back beyond the said person. I'm guessing it's leaning towards the impossible as I have found hints of other people researching this person on other forum boards without much luck.

This link http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5871 - states he was born in Rhiwbwys (Llanrhystud Haminiog) - which i could find on the 1841 census but not 1851.

I have a couple of theories but nothing concrete, such as his supposed grandmother appearing in the 1891 census, who I think could possibly be his mother.

If anyone could point me in the right direction or even tell me there is no hope that would be great.

[osprey]

I've had a similar problem with the 1851 in the past. The parish appears as Haminiog on Ancestry. I wonder about this family group, given the presence of a Winfred

Penrhiw, Haminiog HO107/2485 folio 16 pg 24
Anne Lewis head unm 49
Winifred sister unm 39
Jane dau 10
Thomas son 2
Lewis son 3
all born Llanrhystyd, can't make out occupation for Winifred

No father given on the marriage cert would suggest that he was illegitimate.

 

[osprey]

despite the enumeration suggesting he's the son of Anne, he looks to be the son of Winifred

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FM9Q-TFF

Any idea how he paid for his time at college in Bangor? Or what Winifred's 'own means' were in 1891?

[osprey]

1861 Rhiwbwys, Llanrhystyd Haminiog RG9/4194 folio 59 pg 1
Ann Lewis head unm 57 charwoman
Winifred sister unm 47 charwoman
Thomas Evans nephew 8
all born Llanrhystyd

possible for Lewis at RG9/4194 folio 92 pg 9

 

[silentnoise3]

Thank you for replies Osprey, very helpful, I had come across some of the suggested information but again I'm unable to link it directly to Lewis Davies in 1871.
It's strange how Winifred is listed as the mother on the baptism record but as you said Anne is the suggested mother on the enumeration and in 1891, Winifred is listed as the grandmother of Lewis R Davies!

This link below relates to one of his sons Daniel James Davies, a minister which has a little information about Lewis regarding him being a farm labourer, who then became a school master and then finally a minister himself again though it mentions nothing of his parents before him.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8rMKm-Ee1dYC&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=lewis+rhystud+davies&source=bl&ots=QBMAP_OpX2&sig=ih7XqK_rO_Cg8SEvpwj0UNvABTg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hnKQT9aCMY210QWH-JXZBg&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=lewis%20rhystud%20davies&f=false

I'm not sure about payment for Bangor college but I thought it was possibly some link with Margaret Roberts the woman he eventually married in 1876, her father was a school master who also became a minister (appears Lewis followed in his footsteps) - link http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-ROBE-ROB-1800.html?query=robert+roberts&field=content

but again it's a weak link as they married 6 years after he attended college.

I'll keep digging and thanks again for the input.

[osprey]

it crossed my mind that his father (surname Davies?) might have helped & he changed his name at that time? Clutching at straws?

Some info on Bangor Normal
http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/hisso/normal1905/index.htm

He was obviously very bright so may have won a scholarship, but would it have covered living expenses as well? There doesn't seem to be much in the way of records for the college at that time

http://www.archiveswales.org.uk/anw/get_collection.php?inst_id=37&coll_id=3274&expand=

This looks to be a bit of a coincidence
1881 Old School House, Llanddewi brefi RG11/5452 folio 135 pg 11
Winifred Davies head unm 69 knitting woman b. Llanrhystyd

1871 Rhiwbwys, Llanrhystyd RG10/5452 folio 135 pg 11
Winifred Davies head unm 57 charwoman
Thomas son 18
Anne sister 69 pauper charwoman
all born Llanrhystyd
Thomas Evans who was nephew to Anne in 1861, is now Davies and son of Winifred,also Davies.

death reg
Winifred Davies 79 dec qtr 1891 Llandilofawr vol 11a pg 781
Wonder if cert will say widow of anyone, even if it is a fib?