Hello Osprey
Thank you for your efforts.
As far as I can tell, they were Calvinistic Methodists. I agree with the death record for James and had found that one. I have not found the birth of the daughter, Elizabeth nor of James Jr. nor have I found where he was in 1841, possibly working as a labourer on a farm nearby. I guess with the death of Thomas, James was then the eldest son who inherited this farm. But he did not keep William to help him run it, which raises other questions.
I have also found the marriage of a Thomas Edwards to Mary Williams in 1833, his death in 1836 and hers in 1834, which may have been the sequelae to child birth. There is no evidence at any time of siblings for William and, while these are all assumptions, they fit together. Some of this comes from the LDS Family Search site.
Because I only know the area vaguely, having been there in 2012, I do not know the language and it becomes even more complicated as I try to follow their movements from farm to farm - William married Anne Morris from Llanrhaidhr ym Mochnant whose records are kept in an completely different location, even though it is just "over the hill". For example, where is Llanerch Emrys? Is it an intersection of roads near Llansainffraid? and would a postman know how to find Tyn yr Iwen?
I have tried Find My Past, but these records are not showing up - I gather that the Methodist preacher took his records in his satchel as he moved from parish to parish, and that they may or may not have ever been recorded in a more official manner, but may have often disappeared.
This is why I was hoping to actually go to the spot where people know the names and places and where the existing Montgomeryshire records are stored - which I believe is in Llandidrod Wells and that seems not to be accessible to me in June when I come. And so, is there any other location where Montgomeryshire records might have been kept?
I always appreciate the effort that people like you make to help out perfect strangers. Thank you.
Stormybay