Proving identity

[Jolyn]

Hello,
I am trying to establish the identity of my great aunt, Mary BALL who was born at Llantrisant in 1865. Unfortunately there was never any mention of her within my immediate family.

Research so far from census and a marriage certificate indicate she married William Henry RODD at Cardifff in 1889. Her father's name on the marriage certificate matches that of my great grandfather, however there is nothing else on the certificate to prove this Mary BALL is the one I am looking for.

Is there any document available that would show her mother's name?

I know that Mary and William RODD had 2 sons but I don't know what became of Mary after her husband died in 1903

Does anyone have any ideas on where I should look next?

Thanks
Joy

[blodwen]

Hallo Jolyn, and Welcome to Rootschat.

The only way of finding out Mary Ball's mother's name is from the Birth Certificate.

When ordering, you have the father's name, so that should be of some help.

Do you have the Ref. No.?

Viv

[blodwen]

Jolyn,

Looking at the 1871 RG10, 5372, 31, 12 /1881 RG11, 5297, 4, 4 census, if Mary's  sister is Emma (on 1881) and her father is George occ. Farmer (1871) then her mother is also Emma - please correct me if I am wrong.

Based on this I have found the following in FreeBMD

George Ball / Emma Watts Q3 1853 Ref: 5c 968 in Frome (Somerset)

George JAMES Ball / Emma Lewis Q3 1854 Ref: 1c 40 (East London)!!!

I cannot find a birth ref. at the moment, though.

Viv

[blodwen]

At freebmd.org.uk I have found the following possible birth:

Mary Ball, Q4 1865, Ref:11a 264 /Cardiff

Please check again for yourself if you think this could be her.

Viv

[Jolyn]

Thanks for your reply Viv.
I do have Mary's birth details and I know her mother's name. Your entry for Emma Watts is the correct one.

I just need to prove that the Mary BALL who married William RODD  is the same person. I am 90% sure it is, but as no family members are familiar with the RODD surname there is that small doubt lingering.

What a pity UK death certificates do not list the children's names as my problem would be solved if this was the case. I have a small obit notice from the newspaper for Emma, but again no children's names mentioned.

I really am at a loss as to where to try next.

Thanks again for your help
Joy

[blodwen]

Hi Jolyn,

Sorry to double up your knowledge.  I expect you have looked at the 1911 census!

No luck there, obviously.

Have you searched for another marriage?

Viv

[blodwen]

There is a marriage for a Mary Rodd in Cardiff in Q3 1904 - which man she married would be shown on the 1911 census:

Q3 1904 Ref: Cardiff 11a 645

Emma Harriet Gazard
MARY RODD
Thomas Thorsen
Robert John Williams

Viv

[blodwen]

Hi Jolyn,

I haven't got full access to the 1911 census, but have found the following:

Bertie Elvan Rodd, 1894 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire

William Steven Rodd, 1892 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Bertie could be with his mother and her new husband. William S could be working in Pembrokeshire.

Might be worth buying a couple of credits (unless you have a full sub to FindMyPast) and looking at the Bertie Rodd result.

Viv

[alicebob]

Hello Jolyn

There is a death registered for Mary Thorsen in the AMJ quarter of 1907, 11a Page 194.
So if she married Thomas Thorsen, she wouldn't show on the 1911 census. 

Bob