James Williams Blaenavon

[kenandjulie]

What a minefield tracing my Williams family. Yet another enigma and i hope someone can help.
I have James Williams born 1892/1894. His father was Thomas Williams born 1856 born Blaenafon. his siblings were Joseph b1882 George b1884, Harriet b 188 Thomas (TOM) b  22/6/1890 James b 1892 or 1894 Jessie born 1902.  At some stage they were living at 2 Brick Yard, Blaenafon.Both James (JIM) and Jessie emigrated to NSW Australia, I think James went circa 1921/1923.
Whilst in Australia James married for a second time i believe a Widow who could not have more children so James and his 2nd wife adopted a son who they called William.James died in 1954 in Australia. After James death it was suggested to Bill (William) that he really was James grandson  and that William's father had died tragically.
Both Bill and I are searching for James Williams first wife who died circa 1918-1921 We have a photo of James son circa 1918-1920 and he looks between 4-6. James enlisted in the Monmouthshire REG and was posted to France late 1914 and returned home wounded circa 1915. This convinces me that James married prior to his departure for France and that a son was conceived in 1914. i have found a marriage for James Williams to Mary Elizabeth Powell (not necessary my James) 12 th May 1914. Mary Elizabeth was  living at 24 Duke Street. Blaenafon. James was living at the time 17 Ellick Street, Blaenafon. It seems to fit but could well be a red herring. There was son born to them at 17 Ellick Street on 1 st May 1915 so conceived circa late August early September 1914 Can anyone help me with any info i can pass on to Bill in Australia. Best
Ken Williams

[osprey]

just to give background info on the family

1891 census New Found Out, Aberbaiden, Llanelly, Crickhowell, Breconshire
Thomas Williams head mar 35 coal miner
Mary J wife 30
Joseph son 9
George son 7
Harriett dau 3
Thomas son 9 months b. Llanelly
all born Blaenavon except Thomas

1901 2 Upper Brickyard Terrace, Blaenavon Rg13/4932 folio 141 pg 8
Thos Williams head mar 47 coal miner
Mary J wife 40
Joseph son 19 underground haulier
Harriet dau 14
Thos son 11 b. Breconshire, Llanelly
James son 7 b. Breconshire, Llanelly
all born Blaenavon except Thomas & James

1911
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7PS-STD

birth reg for Jesse sept qtr 1901 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 61 mmn Richards

marriage reg Thomas Williams sept qtr 1880 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 93 with Mary Jane Richards on the same page.

possible marriage for Jesse to Maggie Thomas sept qtr 1920 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 162
passenger list for Jesse Williams 21 miner, Maggie Williams 21, Iris Williams 1 month of 38 Queen St, Blaenavon on board SS Berrima left London 25 Aug 1921 bound for Sydney and intending to go to New Zealand.

Possible voyage aboard Borda leaving London for Sydney 3 June 1920 for James Williams 27 miner, Mary Ann 26, William George 4, Beatrice I  and intending to go to New Zealand.

birth regs
Beatrice I Williams dec qtr 1919 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 106 mmn Martravers
William George Williams dec qtr 1915 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 90 mmn Matravers

marriage reg
James Williams dec qtr 1914 Abergavenny vol 11a pg 24  to Mary A Matravers

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Mary Ann appears to be generally know as Pollie Matravers b 1893 

There's a tree on Ancestry with a photo of her but no history after 1911. One of her sisters also emigrated to Australia after marriage

[osprey]

just found a school record for Garnyrerw Mixed Blaenavon for Jesse dob 19 July 1901, father Thomas, Upper Brick Yard, admitted 13 May 1908, previous school RC Blaenavon, left the school 16 March 1914 - left the district.

[osprey]

Ken, please would you reply on this post instead of by pm.

How have you ascertained that the James married to Mary Ann/Pollie Matravers is not the correct James?

You have been informed that the correct James arrived in Freemantle in March 1921? Is that correct?
And that he married in Gulong in NSW in 1927 as a widower.

I think the absent voters list are at the archives

http://www.gwentarchives.gov.uk/

[kenandjulie]

James married to Mary Ann Matravers is not the James Williams that I am searching for.  James who is married to Mary Matravers  is the son  of George Williams who is the brother of Thomas Williams the father of  my James father, the two James are in fact  1st cousin and born about the same time in Blaenavon. However both emigrated to Australia. Although my James is documented as a widower on his passport.
He arrived 24/2/1921 and his pasport was seen by COLUMBO HARBOUR POLICE on the 8th March 1921 his passport was seen by customs Freemantle. his passport had no endorsements. Nothing is known of him until he married in Gulong NSW in 1927.
Ken

[osprey]

possible leaving London 29 Jan 1921 aboard the Omar, Mr J Williams aged 26 miner from Wales.

[kenandjulie]

In the 1920's how long would it have taken to sail to Australia? Ken

[osprey]

it would have been steamships at that period, not sailing ships. Passenger steamers quoted as taking 42 days in 1931

https://www.sea.museum/discover/library/research-guides/passenger-ships-to-australia