Hi,
Many thanks for your interest.
Anna Maria was named as Ana Mariah Edwards on her marriage certificate.
On May 7 1844 she married Evan Powel (later he had two 'l's in his name). She lived at Kings Head Cottages, Llanfihangel Rhydithon and he lived at Dolau - very close to LL Rhydithon. They were married in St Michael's church, Llanfihangel Rhydithon. Her father's name was given as David Edwards, farmer. Evan's father was named as Evan Powel, Labourer. The witnesses were Brian James and David Edwards. (I presume this was her father) He left his mark so presumably he could not write.
I have found 1851, 1861, 1871 & 1881 census - most give different places of birth and different ages so it is difficult to know if any of them are correct!
I found the couple on the 1851 census living at Llangunllo, Rads.
Evan Powel was 30, head, Ag Lab, born at Llanyre, Rads
Anna Maria was 26 born at Llanvihangall Rhython (the spelling on the census)
They had 4 daughters, Ann, Eliza, Sarah & Naomi.
1861 census living at Perloyne (Purlogue), Rads
Evan Powell was 44 Ag lab born at Llanvionels, Rads (Where is that?)
Hannamaria, wife, 36, born at same place
They now have Naomi, Elizabeth, William & Mary as children living with them.
The 1871 census is from Pembridge, Herefordshire.
Evan Powell, head, 48 yrs, Farm Lab, born Llandewy, Radnor
Ann Powell, wife, 45, born Radnor, Disserth
George Powell, son, 1 yr, born Radnor, Norton
Ann (50 yrs) appears to have died in 1880 (according to Register of deaths: Reg. dist: Weobley 6a 402)
1881 census Eardisland, Herefordshire
Evan Powell, head, Widower, 66 yrs, born Radnorshire, Knighton
George Powell, son, 11 yrs, scholar, born Radnorshire, Norton.
I have looked up the Parish records for all the places mentioned above as places of birth for the parents and all the children named on these censues.
Apart from Naomi & Sarah, none of them seem to have been baptised - very inconvenient!!! I know from the places of birth of all the children and places of census that the family moved around a lot (goes with the job I expect) and always to very rural locations - so probably difficult or inconvenient to arrange baptisms?
I also looked up burials, marriages etc and earlier census forms (1841) but cannot prove if these 'belong' to my family above.
I found a David Edwards (with dtr Ann) in Llanfihangel Rhydithon on 1841 & 1851 census but the ages are wrong. There is a David Edwards & family at Cwmddeudwr too - but no dtr Ann.
I did find an Ann Edwards on an 1841 census of Parish of Abbeycwmhir, aged 15yrs (fits the bill!) working as a farm servant at Bron yr efail farm, parish of Abbeycwmhir. I wondered if this was her true age or had it been rounded up? However, I still can't prove she is connected. It is the same parish as Evan Powel (20yrs) below so perhaps there may be a connection?
I also found an Evan Powel 20yrs, Ag Lab, Evan Powell 55 yrs, Ag lab, Sarah Powell 55 yrs, Elizabeth Powel 18 yrs, Sarah Powel 4 months on 1841 census of Abbeycwmhir - address 'Camp' Gollon township - but can't prove they are my ancestors either.
This Parish is next to Llandewy Ystradenni - and very close to Dolau & Kings Head cottages where my ancestors were living in 1844.
The only lead I have now is another David Edwards of Medwalleth Township, Llanfihangel Beguildy, Lower Beguildy, Rads.
I found this census while I was searching at the Powys Archives and didn't (regretably) follow it up - so now do not have access to Parish records. (Well, can't find any online or any that are published so that I can buy them) I wondered if, perhaps, I had been persuing the wrong Llanfihangel for the birth of Ann Edwards? (They give the place of birth of their first two daughters as Llanfihangel too on 1851 census)
Or perhaps they just didn't know???
1841 census Medwalleth Township
This is for a David Edwards 45 yrs Ag Lab born in Rads
Ann Edwards 30 yrs born in Rads
Elizabeth Edwards 4yrs
Mary Edwards 8 yrs.
Ho 107 Piece 1455 Bk 3 Parish Llanfihangel Beguildy, Lower Beguildy, En Dis 5 Folio 23 Page 17, line 17
I am hoping that the wife, Ann, was a little older than stated and that they had a daughter, Ann, who perhaps was in service (as a farm servant?) and so not named on this census. (I'm desperate and clutching at straws!)
I have searched IGI online as well as many Parish records of places mentioned in censuses.
So, those are all the facts and I'm out of inspiration! Can you help me form a strategy for finding Ann's Edwards' family? I would be very grateful for any help.
Thank you for reading all this - I can attach census images if necessary.
Looking forward to hearing from you.