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Thank you that is very helpful. I will focus on Ann now that you have helped me find her, she was the missing piece of the puzzle, up until now I was working on a false lead but the puzzle fits together much better, it is her story that I will pursue.

Thank you, yes I found that too.

Very interesting as my research doesn't throw up a daughter called Ann at all. From the census of 1851 I have Robert and Ann(e)s children as:

William 1849
John 1854
Robert 1858
Mary 1851
Ellen 1862
Catherine 1868

This makes me think Ann was brought up, as you say, by Robert's brother Owen. Robert brought up her illegitimate son too, renaming him. I have no record though of Owen being called John. I'm even wondering if Ann was illegitimate, apparently in Wales children like that were passed around families to obfuscate matters.

What you have written makes complete sense regarding family set up and Owen's illegitimacy.

He travels to Liverpool when he's about 19 and marries Thirza there. On he is marriage certificate his father is written as Dransfield Thomas. Dransfield Buckley was married to Robert's daughter Catherine and effectively lends Owen his name to put on the certificate.

However, Dransfield Buckley is the real character in this, a really bad egg!   

Thank you very much, I will look at all my notes tomorrow and see how that all fits in. I have found some intriguing stuff. The family rumour is that Owen was fathered by a member of the artistocracy! I’m still working on that thread. You have helped me for which I am grateful and if I can help you please let me know.

Incidentally, I had heard about the riding school. I was told my great grandmother ran it but she came from the Isle of Man, not Anglesey.

Thank you very much for getting in touch. May I ask if you are happy to let me have those details, it would help enormously?