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I have been trying to find the birth record for my great grandfather John Thomas for many years and I have no idea of his mother's maiden name. I have just seen the 1921 Census on FindMyPast and it states that he was born in Treboeth and he was 60 years and 8 months old at the time - the census date was 19 June 1921. I think that implies that his birth should have been registered in the 4th quarter 1860. There are varying claims in different census for his place of birth namely Llandore, Morriston, Gorseinon and Treboeth but I thought these would all be in the Swansea registration district. On checking the GRO, there was no birth record for a John Thomas in Swansea in the 4th quarter. There were however 6 records in the first quarter 1861. Can anyone please confirm that Swansea would be the correct registration district before I invest in ordering birth certificates? Or can anyone suggest an alternate strategy to try and pin him down?

Any suggestions or assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.
Cherryl

I am trying to establish a death record for James Whitcombe - born in Hereford in 1814; christened 27/11/1814 in Monmouth St Marys; married Ann Watkins 8/7/1850 in Walford, Hereford; fathered two sons with Ann; lived with Sarah (Ann's sister) after Ann's death; fathered another five children (last was born - WHITCOMB, EMMA mmn WATKINS  GRO Reference: 1867  D Quarter in NEWPORT  Volume 11A  Page 164) and according to the 1871 Census, Sarah was widowed and living at 18 Canal Parade, St Woollos, Newport. This implies that James died before the 1871 census but after conception of Emma.

I have found a record for James Watkins who could possibly be my James Whitcombe, as his de facto partner had reverted to her maiden name of WATKINS as they could not marry:
WATKINS, JAMES       42 
GRO Reference: 1873  D Quarter in NEWPORT  Volume 11A  Page 151 although the age is not right (should be 59) so this is probably not my man.

Another possibility I found was at https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818d6b3e93790ec75b04038/james-whitcombe-burial-somerset-castle-cary-1873-02-16?locale=en for James Whitcombe aged 58 (age is correct) who was buried in Castle Cary, Somerset on 16/2/1873. I thought about ordering the death certificate to see if it confirmed or otherwise my thinking, however I cannot find a record of death to match this on either GRO or FreeBMD.

As always, any suggestions, advice or tips will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.
Cherryl

I am hoping one of you wonderful RootsChatters can help me unravel the origins and endings of Thomas Mitchell. He married Elizabeth England on 5 March 1864 in Lopen, Somerset. His father was Jesse Mitchell, a BlackSmith.
 
Jesse Mitchell married Mary Lawrence on 23 December 1827 in Merriott, Somerset.

Eleven years later a son, Robert Thomas Mitchell, was born to Jesse Mitchell and Mary on 9 May 1838 and baptised on 27 May 1838 in Merriott, Somerset (Merriott is located just 1.9 miles from Lopen). I think this may be my Thomas Mitchell (having dropped the Robert) who married Elizabeth England.

1841 Census showing Jesse Mitchell aged 30 and employed as a Blacksmith and his wife Mary Mitchell aged 34 (born in Merriott, Somerset) with:
•   daughter Ann aged 17;
•   daughter Elizabeth aged 14;
•   daughter Christianna aged 12;
•   daughter Mary aged 8;
•   daughter Emmer (Emily) aged 6;
•   son Thomas aged 3.
All children were born in Merriott, Somerset.

1851 Census showing Mary Mitchell aged 41 (Mother, born in Merriott, Somerset) as Head and married, and employed as a Laundress living at 6 Broadway, Merriott, Somerset with:
•   daughter Elizabeth aged 17, unmarried and employed as a Glover;
•   son Thomas aged 15, unmarried and employed as a Labourer;
•   son John aged 7,  unmarried and Scholar;
•   son Samuel aged 1.
All children were born in Merriott, Somerset.
1851 Census showing Jesse Mitchell aged 40, born in Merriott and employed as a Blacksmith Journeyman. He is identified as the Head, married and living alone at Friary Lane in Dorchester. Perhaps he was working away from home as he was a Journeyman.
I have other records which seem to verify that this is the correct Thomas, including the birth records of their two sons, but I cannot find him in the 1871 or 1881 census. However on 2 August 1888 Elizabeth married Stephen Henry Preston. On the certificate she is described as a widow.

The only death I can find for her first husband is of a Robert Mitchell who died GRO Reference: 1897  M Quarter in CHARD  Volume 05C  Page 310 aged 58. This is the only record that seems to fit, yet would imply he was still alive when his wife re-married.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to alternatives or corrections to my research so far.

Thank you in anticipation.
Cherryl

Can anyone advise on how I might verify the death of Sarah Griffiths in Cardigan, either in 1901 or 1907, without having to purchase two death certificates? I have found 2 records on the GRO and FreeBMD, either of which could be the lady I am researching.
 
GRIFFITHS, SARAH       76 
GRO Reference: 1901  M Quarter in CARDIGAN  Volume 11B  Page 5
or alternatively
GRIFFITHS, SARAH       81 
GRO Reference: 1907  S Quarter in CARDIGAN  Volume 11B  Page 4

Both of these records indicate a birth year around 1825 or 1826 and both death years are between the census of 1901 and 1911, so that doesn't help either.

All suggestions will be welcome.
Thanks in anticipation.
Cherryl

I am having difficulty reading the attached census from 1841 (marked with a box on the attached photo). I can read James Whitcombe aged 25 living at Chippenham Gate,but cannot understand what is written in the next column.

Similarly it appears he was living together with Ann Butcher,also aged 25, and again I cannot read the next column.

I would appreciate assistance in understanding what is written in the Employment column.
Thanks in anticipation
Cherryl