where to now?

[Sonia Gardener]

According to his marriage certificate Henry Charles Bowen was age 24 in 1906 when he married Bessie Venner in Plymouth Registry Office.  His father was Charles Edward Bowen. Both are recorded as labourers. The GRO have found no entry for his birth in their index 1880-1884. I am unable to pinpoint him in the 1881 or 1901 census. Family stories say that they came from the Rhonda valley and were miners. there is also a sugestion that Henry was in the Army Can anyone help with advice as to how I can progress this. Which 1891 census would Rhonda come into for a search many thanks
Sonia

[sillgen]

Hi
When did he die?   If you can check his age then against the one at marriage it might help.  Who were the witnesses on the marriage certificate?    They may well be relatives.  Was his father shown as deceased?
Have a look at www.genuki.com to find out about the Rhondda Valley.    I think it is in Glamorgan but am prepared to be corrected!
Andrea

[Peterej]

a bit of a lonshot maybe but I found the undermentioned on an LDS search for 1881
The family also appear in 1891 and 1901 but without Henry in 1901. Do the places ring any bells. Cannot see a Welsh connection.

Peter

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Household:

 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability
 Charles E. BOWINS   Head   M   Male   35   Maidstone, Kent, England   Bricklayers Laborer     
 Sophia BOWINS   Wife   M   Female   43   East Malling, Kent, England       
 John T. BOWINS   Son      Male   5   Maidstone, Kent, England   Scholar     
 Henry C. BOWINS   Son      Male   8 m   Maidstone, Kent, England       


~~~~~~~~
Source Information:
  Dwelling   7 Medway St
  Census Place Maidstone, Kent, England
  Family History Library Film   1341221
  Public Records Office Reference   RG11
  Piece / Folio   0927 / 56
  Page Number   9

[Cas (stallc)]

To search the Rhondda area, you would need

Wales - Glamorgan, then parish area Ystradyfodwg.  This was the old parish name for the Rhondda. 

I have looked already and cannot find a match on both names.

Cas

[Sonia Gardener]

many, many thanks everyone for your contributions.  All of you have helped greatly and given me food for thought and trails to follow.  The Welsh Rhonda connection has been put forward by an aunt, but like most family stories perhaps somethings been lost in the telling over time - that may not appear 'til many generations back!!!
thanks all of you and good luck with your own research.
Sonia