Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Topics - G Reese

Pages: [1]
1
Pembrokeshire / Birth Record of George James of Monkton
« on: Tuesday 15 May 18 15:46 BST (UK)  »
Hello all,

My 3rd great grandfather George James left behind many puzzles, including his birth record. I have pretty high confidence in his 1859 marriage certificate, in which his father is listed as George James.

Other sources that I have which include census returns, newspaper articles, and his death certificate, indicate he was born in Monkton circa 1819.

My relatives identified a Saint Mary of Pembroke baptism record as his, with the date of 7 Aug 1819. Parents listed are John James (laborer) and Elizabeth James of Moncton Lane. The only other possible baptism records are in 1826 in Monkton (parents George and Sarah) or 1820 in Amroth (parents George and Choice).

My family's accepted birth record seems right by the date and place, but I have difficulty reconciling the difference in fathers' names between the marriage certificate and the baptism record. How could George James incorrectly remember his father's name? Or, has my family chosen the wrong baptism record after all?

2
Wales / "Ford" Williams
« on: Friday 23 February 18 17:20 GMT (UK)  »
Hello all,

I was doing some research on my Welsh family, many of whom moved to Utah in the late 1800s, when I stumbled upon this interesting newspaper article: clipping here.

I knew I had a 3rd great uncle named Thomas Williams, but I had figured he decided to either stay in Wales or died in his 20s, because I couldn't verify where he went in the genealogical record. How could I lose track of someone with such a unique name (I jest)? With the newspaper article describing his famous singing career, under the name Ford Williams, my curiosity was piqued.

I obtained his death record from the GRO with the information provided in the newspaper clipping (link here). It lists his widowed wife's initials (in stunning detail) and address. The date, area, and cause of death match the newspaper article, so I'm fairly confident I got the right guy. It looks like he never gave up his day job, as well, as he's listed as a blacksmith, the last known occupation I had for him in the 1891 census when he was single and living with his parents.

The million dollar question is this: how can I prove that this Thomas Williams was indeed the famous singer Ford Williams (Elysium theater in Swansea, said to be a native of Swansea, article with the quotes around Ford, featured in Swansea Empire, and multiple additional advertisements in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland)? Also, how can I find out additional details about his family with the scant detail that I do have?

Any tips or suggestions are welcome!

Pages: [1]