My grandfather, James Davies, was born either 1868 or 16.3.1869(depending on which side of the family supplied details) in Penlan(Penylan) Silian, Lampeter. He appears on the 1871 census born Penlan Silian as a 2 year old. He appears living in a house on the Common in Lampeter in 1881 census with his parents and siblings aged 12. Parents Thomas and Margaret (Margret)Davies (father Carpenter /Coachbuilder turned Builder).(dates corrected).
No further sightings until he married my grandmother in February 1898 in Rhydcymerau, Carmarthenshire. He was resident in Llanybydder at that time.
First Child born November 1898 Nelli, Second child born 1900 Evelyn Ellis and in total 6 were born up til last born 1908. All but the last born in Cwmann Pencarreg.
I cannot find where he apprenticed as a Carpenter.
He was not on the 1901 census. His wife Sarah was living with her mother in law in Treherbert ,Cwmann with two children Nelli ad Evelyn Ellis and her brother in law , William Septimus Davies, Tailor,erroneously listed as her husband, in 1901(. modyfy have been told by a member that she lived next door to her mother in law. ) .
James did not appear on the 1911 census either.
His wife , Sarah,was living with her 6 children and her father John Jenkins in 1911 helping with the running of the family Inn ,the Cart and Horses, Rhydcymerau.
James returned from Canada in 1920 and died in Rhydcymerau soon after, on 15 .9 1920. I have found a retired James Davies travelling from Canada in 1920 on incoming passenger list.
I and other cousins have been unable to get any further information.
Family lore states that he helped build the White House in Washington and that he took part in the Gold Rush in SanFransisco. Neither statement can be true they happened before he was born.
However an important City Hall ...building did happen in San Fransico 1913 to 1915.. and perhaps he worked on that as he came home in affluant circumstances about that time.(family ,lore again)There is no doubt he went abroad three times. I think before his marriage and twice after his marriage. I understand that it was a very long trip to Canada and the family did not expect to see him again.
There is no family lore that he was in the 1914/18 war.
We would be grateful for any help offered in tracking his movements.
Sandra
