Advice please, Ivy cottage Denbigh

[malijibic]

Whilst clearing their mother's home my nephews have found a book with the inscription
Miss Griffith, Ivy Cottage, Denbigh,  Jan 1st 1899.
Both my maternal and paternal families have Griffith as a surname but I had never heard of a connection with Denbigh.
How should I begin to solve this mystery?
Diolch

[redvanman]

It's almost invariably easier to work back from the present rather than work forward from the past. I suggest you attempt to trace the Grffith line back and see where it takes you. The Miss Griffith might be a sibling of one of your ancestors, or a cousin. From 1899 to the present could be four or more generations, so there could be dozens of Griffiths alive at the time who are connected to your family.

Alternatively, you could search for Miss Griffiths in the 1891 and 1901 census. This can tell you her first name, her age in 1899 and other family members living at the same address. THis might give you some clues.

Good luck!
Alyn

[Ruskie]

Someone who has access to Find My Past may be able to search by address to see who was living at "Ivy Cottage in the 1891 and 1901 censuses?

As you know, Griffiths is a very common name so there will be loads of female Griffiths in Denbigh. Without an idea if her age, it could be an impossible search, though still worth trying. 

Are there any clues to her age in the book itself? Is it for a younger or older person for example?

Added: I just checked the 1901 census and there aren't as many female Griffiths as I expected. I will see if I can find one in Ivy Cottage.

[malijibic]

Thank you for your help, I did start trawling through the census but my sub to Ancestry ran out. no hint about her age in the book
Will try again after I come back from holidays
Diolch

[Ruskie]

All of the female Griffiths in Denbigh in 1901 appear to belong to the same family - others are married or male. I will check 1891.

[malijibic]

Thanks, diolch

[dawnkaren]

Hannah Gwladys Griffiths
Richard,
Hannah abt 1877 Abergele, Denbighshire, Wales Daughter 

Lavenie Annie Griffiths
Charles,
Elizabeth abt 1881 Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales Daughter Henllan, Denbighshire 

 
Sarah Elizabeth Griffiths
Charles,
Elizabeth abt 1882 Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales Daughter Henllan, Denbighshire 

 
Martha Jane Griffiths
Charles,
Elizabeth abt 1887 Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales Daughter Henllan, Denbighshire

do any of those names mean anything to you?

[malijibic]

Hannah and Richard occur in my father's family but they originate from the Lleyn Peninsula. I need to look for siblings of my greatgrandfather.
Diolch

[Eldon]

Ask the Denbigh estate agents. Many years ago I was looking for an address in Tavistock, but none of the estate agents had heard of it, because  it has lost its individual name and was now a number in a  street.
I Googled the address but to me, it revealed nothing.
I have never tried this, but the Welsh Land Registry in Cardiff might tell you if the property still exists.
You can make an online request and it costs £25