Thomas Merrells Mayor of Swansea 1915-1916

[Tom from OZ]

I am trying to find the link between Thomas Arthur Merrells and my Grandmother Alydia, Annie, Maud, Jessie, Merrells.  I don't seem to be able to find Thomas in the census details of Wales, I don't know the name of his wife which makes things somewhat more difficult but have a list of his children.  He had three sons Ernest, Sidney and Harold and three daughters one who was reported as married at his death in 1922 aged 54, the family was living at Milton Terrace. 

He was born in Swansea  in the neighbourhood of Dyfatty Street, he had a brother Edwin Merrells,  and the daughter married a Mr Trevor C. Evans both were listed as mourners.

His eldest son Ernest, became Lord Mayor of Cardiff in 1970, after moving from Cardiff in 1935, he died aged 96 on 16 Nov 1987.

I have obtained a great deal of information from both the Cardiff and Swansea Libraries but none identify his wife by name and as I say I have found it difficult to find census entries for the family due to my poor geographical knowledge of Wales, so any help would really be appreciated.

Tom

Australia

[Bethan]

Hi Tom, on the 1881 census


Thomas Jones            41    coal merchant
Ann Jones                  44   wife
Thomas  A  Merrells     15   nephew   born Swansea

Alll at 60 New Street   Swansea

And there is a marriage for a Thomas A Merrells to a Kate Morgan  in the September Quarter  of 1884 on FreeBDM

I would ask someone to do a look up of the 1891 for Swansea if I were you.


Best Wishes Bethan

[Tom from OZ]

Hi Bethan

Many thanks for your response and helpful information, this provides a start.

Tom

[bernard_lewis]

Here is a link to the building where he would have served as mayor:

http://swanseabattalion.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=286&Itemid=50

It is still standing (much renovated) - today it is the Dylan Thomas Centre.

Bernard

[Tom from OZ]

Hi Bernard,

Thanks for the link, with Bethan's 1881 census info I have located him in 1871 at the same address aged 5, I wonder why he is living with relatives?  I will continue the search as I am unable to find the family in 1891.

[Bethan]

Hi Tom, took a look at Family Search and found this.

William Jones Merrells born 5/10/1863 Swansea parents William +Eliza Ann
Elizabeth Ann Merrells.......5/10/1863 ?.Swansea ..........William +Eliza Ann
Mary Ellen Merrells.............11/3/1863  Swansea...............William+Eliza Ann
Thomas Arthur Merrells........6/1/1866 Swansea...............William +Eliza Ann
Edwin Ernest Merrells.........30/7/1868  Swansea.............William+Eliza Ann

Then I found a marriage for William Merrells and Eliza Ann Jones on the 20/5/1858 in Swansea
William Merrells was born on the 4/8/1834 in Colchester Essex and died 21/3/1868
Eliza Ann Jones was born around 1839 in Swansea and died in 30/5/1908

I think this is the correct family,  ask on this board if anyone has the 1861 census for Swansea, and then you might find out more about Thomas,s parents.

Very Best Wishes Bethan

[Laurina]

I think this is the correct family,  ask on this board if anyone has the 1861 census for Swansea, and then you might find out more about Thomas,s parents.

Very Best Wishes Bethan

1861 Census RG9/4106/35/16 30 Back Street, St David, Swansea - closest match

Eliza Merriel 24  Head, mar, Sailor's wife
Mary Ellen Merriel 2  Infant
William Merriel 5 Mo  Infant

All born Swansea

Laurina

[Laurina]

Hi Bernard,

Thanks for the link, with Bethan's 1881 census info I have located him in 1871 at the same address aged 5, I wonder why he is living with relatives?  I will continue the search as I am unable to find the family in 1891.

1891 Census RG12/4479/69/17 - 10 Mariners Street, Swansea, Glamorgan

Eliza Ann Merrills 53  Head - Swansea
Edwin Ernest Merrills 22  Son - Swansea - Plumber and copper smith
William Rd Jones 20  Lodger -
Geo Willm Allen 26  Lodger
William Maron Clark 17  Lodger
Miles Cramer 43  Lodger
John Thomas Edwards 24  Lodger

Laurina

[Laurina]

And there is a marriage for a Thomas A Merrells to a Kate Morgan  in the September Quarter  of 1884 on FreeBDM

I would ask someone to do a look up of the 1891 for Swansea if I were you.

1891 Census RG12/4479/112/14 - 60 New Street, Swansea

Thomas Merrell, 25, Head, Swansea -  Dock Labourer
Kate Merrell, 27,  Wife, Swansea

Laurina