RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: tobyboy on Sunday 03 March 19 21:09 GMT (UK)
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I am looking for a death record for John James Harries, born about 1871 at Freystrop. Married Letticha Thomas (1867-1930) in 1894 and the couple lived at Nash Wood - she is my 3rd great aunt. Couple had four children but one (also possibly called John James Harries) died at a young age (1902?). In 1901 John James Harries is working at a brickworks (Johnston?) but cannot find him in the 1911 Census when Letticha says she is the wife of a farmer and is listed along with three children. In 1916, Letticha says she is a "widow." So what has happened to her husband - when/where did he die. Any help much appreciated.
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Welcome to Rootchat.
Just getting the basics down on JJ Harries:
Birth registration: John James Harries, mother’s maiden name Thomas, Dec qtr 1871 Haverfordwest.
Married to Lettitia Thomas, Sep qtr 1894 Haverfordwest.
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Children:
William Ashley Benson Harries, mother’s maiden name Thomas, Jun qtr 1895 Haverfordwest
Luther Evelyn Harold Harries, 12 June 1896 (can’t easily see a birth reg)
Arthur George Harries, mother’s maiden name Thomas, Mar qtr 1900 Haverfordwest
Plus one.
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I don’t think the John James Harries who died aged 0, Sep qtr 1902 Haverfordwest is from this family.
His likely birth reg in the same quarter shows mother’s maiden name Swanton.
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In what context did Letitia claim to be a widow in 1916? I see that she died as Letitia Harries, widow, of Nash Wood, Llangwm, at the County Mental Hospital, Haverfordwest in 1930.
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Letitia claimed to be a widow in 1916 while appearing before an army tribunal at Haverfordwest to try and save one of her sons being called up for military service, according to a report in a local newspaper at the time.
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I see that she started out entering herself as “Head” of household in the last census, before it was amended. The enumerator entered her over the page as the head of the family. I wonder whether in fact John James was long gone by this time, and later calling herself “widow” was a cover for abandonment or estrangement?
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Same thought had occurred to me - perhaps she was confused or ashamed when completing the 1911 Census - or someone suggested he may be a hospital patient? Strange how we cannot find another record for him.
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Ah yes - could be J H, 41 b Freystrop, in the Carmarthen Asylum (though age slightly out as he would have been 39). One often finds that patients/inmates (especially in asylums) were anonymised by the use of initials rather than full names.
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If that entry is him there is a possible death soon after the census:
John Harries, 41, Jun qtr 1911 Carmarthen 11a 642.
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Many thanks for all your help - much appreciated - will order a death certificate to see if it is him - fingers crossed!!
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You’re welcome. Just to let you know - if you don’t already - the cheapest route is to order a pdf from GRO Online, now priced at £7.
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Sorry for delay in responding but ordered a paper certificate instead of pdf - your hunch was right for which many thanks.
Death certificate says John Harries died 13 June 1911 at Lunatic Asylum, St Peters, Carmarthen. Male aged 41. Labourer of Summerhill, Haverfordwest i.e. that is Freystrop. Cause of death: acute pulmonary tuberculosis - about 7 weeks.