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Messages - G Reese

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10
Wales / Re: "Ford" Williams
« on: Friday 23 February 18 22:06 GMT (UK)  »
Hello and thank you for the welcome!

I know a good deal about Thomas's parents, William and Mary Morgan Williams (they're my 3rd great grandparents) of Swansea. I have census records for Thomas, his parents William and Mary, and many of his siblings from 1851 - 1911. Thomas is in the 1871 - 1891 returns, after which he left the household. In 1891 he was a 24 year old blacksmith living at the family home on Gibbet Hill in Swansea. Beyond that census, I have no solid idea where Thomas went, until, supposedly, he died in Liverpool in 1932.

11
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!

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