Deciphering Maybray

[abydos]

Can any one tell me where Margaret and Richard Maybray were born?  I am having trouble reading it on this census.

Thank you Abydos

[goldie61]

Hi abydos
What terrible scribble!

There's a tiny place Samau about 5 miles north of Welshpool on Google maps - do you think this could be it?
Good luck

[Alexander.]

When I first saw it I thought 'Swansea', but looking closer at it I'm not so sure. 

Alexander

[Greensleeves]

I was wondering whether it is Sarnau - there are several places of that name in Wales, all of them very small, which isn't terribly helpful. 

Have you managed to decipher where John Snr was born?  Watkin was born in Rhymney (spelt phonetically, clearly ) whilst John Jnr was born in Pentrebach which is an  area of Merthyr Tydfil.   I was therefore wondering if John Snr came from Aberfan, which is just down the valley from Merthyr - though admittedly the place name looks very little like it!

Regards,
GS

[abydos]

Hi Greensleeves

Thanks for the help. 

From looking at the 1871 census it looks like John snr was born in Abervale Wales(not sure that is spelled right).  Does this make sence to you?  Not knowing the area at all I am just guessing.

abydos

[Greensleeves]

I know it looks like 'Abervale' but I can't find anywhere of that name in the area (I live about 20 miles from Merthyr so I do know the area a bit).  Rhymney is the next valley to the east of Merthyr Tydfil and as I said, Pentrebach is now a part of Merthyr but then was probably a village in its own right.  In Welsh an 'f' is pronounced as a 'v' which is why I am wondering if the place name should start 'Aberf....'.    Bearing in mind that they were not living in the area when the census was taken, it is possible that the person filling out the sheets wrote down what he heard or what he thought was said.  This is why I was wondering whether it should be Aberfan, which is in the right area and at least the first part of the name concurs with what's written on the census sheet!

Regards,
GS

[abydos]

Hi greensleeves

I have tried to make out Margaret and Richard's birth places.  Margaret I have Sancena Wales
and Richard I have Sameen Wales. 
Probably not even close right.

Any suggestions you have would be great.

Thanks
abydos

[Greensleeves]

Hi abydos

I still think the most likely place is Sarnau (pronounced Sarn-eye) but there are quite a few places of the same name.  I think the nearest is a village near Carmarthen, and there is quite a history of people migrating from Carmarthenshire towards Merthyr Tydfil and the valleys, so it would not be unrealistic.  Might be a good idea to see if you can find any record of the families there - it is not unreasonable that she might have gone back to her parents' to give birth to her first child, which was not unusual in this area in those days.

[abydos]

Hi Greensleeves

Thanks for the information.  I will check and see if I can find her there.

Abydos