Davies of Dowlais

[Benoni]

Help please....I'm new to this forum so please forgive any mistakes errors etc.

I am researching my family and have a problem with my grandfather William Davies. In the 1901 census he gives his birthplace as 'Wales'...Thanks a bundle grandad....not many people born in Wales have the name William Davies. Can any one out there pleses help me?

I will start with facts.....Willaim was born in South Wales abt 1872. He was married in Lancashire in 1899 and gave his father's name as Benjamin. He spent the early years of his life in the USA. He died in February 1858 at the age of 86. He came from a Welsh speaking family. He was a coalminer.

Now for the family 'tradition' as yet to be confirmed, but this is what I was told about him. It could of course be wishful thinking.......He was born in Dowlais on a farm breeding pit ponies. The glow from the Dowlais blast furnises could be seen "over the hill". His mother was Scottish and he was orphaned at the age of 11, but went to live with his older brother in the USA. His brother was employed in moving houses (literally....he put them onto a wagon and moved them). At the age of about 21 he returned to UK.

I have so far found no one who fits the above profile. I have found a William of the correct age living at 404 Cardiff Road Aberdare with a father named Benjamin. There are however a few inconsistancies. He his 'elderly' parents but no older brother and 404 Cardiff Road isn't a farm.

Benoni

[CaroleW]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

What was Benjamin's occupation on Williams marriage cert

I've checked the 1881 Welsh census for any female Davis/Davies born Scotland but none was married to a Benjamin

Who did he marry in 1899 and was he living in Lancashire in 1901

[Benoni]

Thanks Carole,

Benjamin's occupation given on the marriage certificate was 'Collier'. I too have found no Scotish women marrying a Benjamin....this is a family "I think g-grandma was from Scotland" comment. The known facts are Father Benjamin, from S. Wales, Welsh speaking, went to USA, date of death.

I have found several Benjamins and Williams who might fit the bill, including people from Carmarthen and Swansea but the 'best fit' seems to be the folk from Aberdare. My BIG problem with them is the elder brother who went to the USA. There seems to be no record of him. If I could find an elder brother in this family, it would be MY family. I definately know William went to the USA...he told me himself (unless he was lying)

William married Margaret Alice Barr at the Church of St John the Baptist Atherton and in 1901 they were livng in Lancashire (Shackerley with Tyldesley)


Benoni

[CaroleW]

Hi

Just another thought - have you checked the 1911 census for the family?  It may give a more specific birthplace for him

http://www.1911census.co.uk/search/tnaform.aspx

[CaroleW]

I am sending you a pm with some additional birthplace info - William was born in Cardiganshire

[Benoni]

Carole.....you're a star 

I've been trying to reply to you by p.m. but I can't seem to do it.

Well well...I've been looking in the wrong place....so much for 'Dowlais'....He didn't live there, or if he did, he certainly wasn't born there.Perhaps he moved there at a later date.

Thanks again

Benoni

[CaroleW]

Hi

Only problem is that I still can't find one with a father called Benjamin!!!