Swansea Electoral Rolls 1893

[Romilly]

I don't know if anyone has noticed that the Swansea and Surrounding Area, Wales, Electoral Registers, 1839-1966 are now available on Ancestry?

I've found my late Grandfather, William James Wilson (1860 - 1937) on there from 1894, when he's living at 'Lesley Place', St Helen's Road Swansea. I can find him quite consistently from 1894 - 1931, but am unable to find him before 1894.

I know that he was in Swansea in 1893, because he Married my Grandmother Margaret Rees in Swansea Parish Church in June 1893, when he gave his Address as: 'Lower Oxford Street'.

Can anyone on here see him from 1890 - 1894 please?

And would anyone know which Parliamentary Division 'Lower Oxford Street' came under in 1893?

Cheers, Romilly.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Before 1918 not all men over 21 had the vote -there were various qualifications - so he may not show up for that reason

[Romilly]

He's shown from 1894 though. Perhaps residency had a time scale qualification?

Romilly.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

As I understand it, if he had been living with his parents until then, or possibly if a lodger elsewhere, he wouldn't be deemed a householder and thus not eligible to vote

[mazi]

1894 was the year when elected local government began, he may have been on the rolls then as a local elector, but not eligible to vote in national elections.

Mike

[Romilly]

Thanks for the replies.

I suspect that my Grandfather doesn't show up in 1893 because he was in Lodgings, - having only recently arrived in Swansea.

The West Glamorgan Archives tell me that:

'Lower Oxford Street (formerly Gam Street) ran from Dillwyn Street to St Helens Road (Victoria Ward).  Upper Oxford Street ran from Temple Street to Dillwyn Street. New Oxford Street is another name for Lower Oxford Street'

I've tried going through the returns for Lower Oxford Street on Ancestry, but I think that it must have been just the householder/person who held the rent book, who was eligible to vote.

Romilly.