RootsChat.Com

Thanks Osprey.

The problem of searching using Benjamin as a 'signpost' is that I have no evidence other than family tradition (which so far has been found wanting) that he died when William was a youngster. My only factual evidence is William's approx date of birth, the actual dates and locations of his death and marriage, his Census statement that he was born in Cardiganshire and his father's name was Benjamin.

I have found another William who fits the bill, but does not fit family tradition and I will attempt to follow him up (or as has sometimes been said, "Run him up the flagople and see who salutes him) He is William son of Benjamin and Mary from Llanglydwen.

As a matter of interest, research of my paternal line goes back to the 1500s whilst my wife (who comes from the ancient Kingdom of Bohemia) can trace her line back to the early 1700s and I can't find any information on a man I personally knew......FRUSTRATING 

Lordie...what a response! Thanks folks, far more than I could have wished nor expected.  Unfortunately, little of it makes sense to what I already have. My problem is I had a grandfather. I know, because I met him  and also...I am here! This grandfather is, from a genealogical aspect an enigma. From the very scant information I have on him I have found a family in Llanfihangel ar Arth who may have been his family. I am attempting to show that MY grandfather is the same William Davies who is alive and kicking at Llanfihangel in 1881. How to prove Llanfihangel William Davies is my grandfather is my problem. I have further information which may apply to the Llanfihangel family and your comments about my findings would be appreciated.

On the 1881 census we have William Davies aged 8 yrs living at Genlanfelyn Llanfihangel-Ar-Arth with Mother Eleanor 42 and siblings Sarah 13; David 11 Benjamin 6 and Bertha 5 mnths. Mother is listed as ‘Wife’ (Head crossed out) William’s birth place is given as Llandyssul Cardigan.

On the 1871 Census at Bankyfordd Llangeler we have an Elinor Davies ‘Wife’ aged 32 John 9 Evan 5 Sarah 4 and David 2. Again no sign of ‘Father’

However in 1871 we have in Aberdare two Benjamin Davies one aged 38 and one aged 35 both colliers/lodgers and both from Cardiganshire. In the 1881 census for Aberdare we have one Benjamin Davies aged 44 Boarder/Timberman at Colliery

Now, FreeBMD show a Benjamin Davies marrying in Newcastle Emlyn Sept 1861 and on the same page there is an Eleanor Jones. Presumably they were the marrying couple. Altcafan's info about them marrying in the Llanfihangel Parish Church helps....note one of the witnesses was an Evan and this name is carried on in the family....perhaps the Llanfihangel John is also officially a Johnathan.

In 1884 FreeBMD record deaths of Eleanor Davies aged 46 (June) and 47 (Sept) registered at Lampeter. FreeBMD also record the death of a Benjamin Davies aged 47 in Cardigan during the Dec quarter of 1882.

From amalgamation of the 1871 and 1881 information, assuming Eleanor was the mother of Granddad Davies, he would have had the following siblings in 1881. John 19; Evan 15; (both from 1871 not shown in 1881 Census) then Sarah 13; David 11; (who appear in both Census records) and finally WILLIAM 8; Benjamin 6 and Bertha 5mths.

What happened to John and Evan? What happened to William, Benjamin and Bertha (male or female) after the deaths of Eleanor in 1884? (Assuming that I am correct in my research about this family). There is a great deal of family tradition/oral history about what happened to William including stuff he actually told me. However I am not going to disclose it at this stage, but will wait and see if someone turns up the same story. If they do....I have my man!

Carole.....you're a star 

I've been trying to reply to you by p.m. but I can't seem to do it.

Well well...I've been looking in the wrong place....so much for 'Dowlais'....He didn't live there, or if he did, he certainly wasn't born there.Perhaps he moved there at a later date.

Thanks again

Benoni

Help please....I'm new to this forum so please forgive any mistakes errors etc.

I am researching my family and have a problem with my grandfather William Davies. In the 1901 census he gives his birthplace as 'Wales'...Thanks a bundle grandad....not many people born in Wales have the name William Davies. Can any one out there pleses help me?

I will start with facts.....Willaim was born in South Wales abt 1872. He was married in Lancashire in 1899 and gave his father's name as Benjamin. He spent the early years of his life in the USA. He died in February 1858 at the age of 86. He came from a Welsh speaking family. He was a coalminer.

Now for the family 'tradition' as yet to be confirmed, but this is what I was told about him. It could of course be wishful thinking.......He was born in Dowlais on a farm breeding pit ponies. The glow from the Dowlais blast furnises could be seen "over the hill". His mother was Scottish and he was orphaned at the age of 11, but went to live with his older brother in the USA. His brother was employed in moving houses (literally....he put them onto a wagon and moved them). At the age of about 21 he returned to UK.

I have so far found no one who fits the above profile. I have found a William of the correct age living at 404 Cardiff Road Aberdare with a father named Benjamin. There are however a few inconsistancies. He his 'elderly' parents but no older brother and 404 Cardiff Road isn't a farm.

Benoni