I've been tracing my line of Smiths for some years now, and I know the frustrations of finding them bobbing back and forth across these borders .... but now I am a bit stuck!! I thought I'd found all the Smiths I could, but then discovered what I think is the next line back .....
I've not gone back that far in comparison, due to the commanailty of the name
but I've managed to get back to JAMES SMITH born circa 1812 in Kington. I've found a Christening for a James Smith for 27 January 1813 in Kington, where the Parents are John Smith & Rebecca. There is also a Thomas Smith for 20 October 1809 to the same Parents.
One of James' children was John Smith who married Elizabeth Muscott (now, THAT's another story!!!) and one of the witnesses is a Catherine BEAVAN. I believe to have found the 1848 marriage for Catherine to a John Beavan, and she is a SMITH (well, they are on the same page in 1848, but I'll have to get the certificate to confirm 100% they married each other - but there are a Catherine and John Beavan on the 1851 and 1861 census returns. She had died by the 1871 census, and he's there with his Daughter in Kington.
I can't find a Catherine Smith on the IGI's for Kington circa 1825 (shown on the census returns), and I can't find the IGI's for Presteigne which I thought came under Radnorshire ....
Any suggestions please