Alfred and Margaret Ann Roberts, and family

[Deirdre784]

Anyone up for a challenge? Helping a friend with her family tree but struggling. Certificates are on the way (ordered).

Looking for Alfred Roberts, thought by the family to be a teacher from London but looking less likely now, and Margaret Ann Roberts, nee Jones, daughter of James Jones and Mary Jane Mathias (both born in Brecon), born in Dowlais in Jun quarter 1880, probably registered in Merthyr with mother’s maiden name Matthews (the other children, born in Bedwellty, have a mix of Mathias and Matthews so i’m guessing this is a mistake). James and Mary Jane Jones and family are in Rhymney in 1801, 1901 and 1911.

The only marriage i can find of an Alfred Roberts to a Margaret Ann Jones is in Newport, Jun quarter 1902 (certificate awaited). Alfred and Margaret Ann are known to have had children:
Rees (about 1904), married Irene Bowen, died in Leominster, March quarter 1978, listing DOB as 3 Nov 1904. Only match appears to be in Medway, Kent, Dec quarter 1904
Annie May (celebrated her birthday on 7 Jan 1907, same date on the 1939 register, now in Hereford as Annie M Cooke, and her death as Anne May Cooke in Clelsea in 1969), but the best match appears to be a birth registered in Merthyr, June quarter 1906 - maybe a late registration  and the wrong year (i have plenty of those!).
Phyllis (born 16 Jun 1911, in Stansfield St, Cwm, Ebbw Vale), married Ernest John Beckwith and died in Bromyard, Herefordshire in 2015, aged 103  and
James (born 1914, died 19 April 1945 in Germany). Sadly his CWGC records don’t give any details of a wife or his parents.

I have found a record of an Alfred (47), labourer, Margaret Ann (46) and Annie (15) in the Abergavenny workhouse in 1922, suggesting they were discharged to Hereford. The ages are a little out for Alfred and Margaret Ann, but that’s the only record i can find, and that’s not 100% them. Where were the other children?

Really puzzled why I can’t find the family in 1911 (they are not in Stansfield St, Cwm despite Phyllis’ birth there in June), i’ve tried all variations of the names i can think of, and would be really grateful if anyone can help.

Thanks for reading 

[Deirdre784]

Apologies, just spotted a typo in the last line of para 2. The census entries should of course read 1891 (not 1801), 1901 and 1911. Had hoped that typing this up would have solved at least one of the puzzles in my own head, but sadly not to be.

[Dundee]

How have you arrived at Alfred ROBERTS and Margaret JONES being the parents of Rees, Annie May, Phyllis and James?

Debra 

[Deirdre784]

Hi Debra, Annie May was my friend’s grandmother, and her mother is still alive. The family details come from her.

She started with Phyllis’s birth certificate as it was the only one which tied in with the area it was believed they had been living in. Alfred Roberts, a labourer, and Margaret Ann, nee Jones, were her parents.

Not finding them on the 1911 means we have nothing further at the moment to go on, but a possible Newport marriage and children possibly born in Kent and Merthyr don’t really make sense. Ordering certificates but asking for the right couple / parents takes time especially at the moment.

[rosie99]

What information does Annie May's marriage give including the witnesses.
Just needing to get it straight in my head 

[Deirdre784]

Hi Rosie, waiting on that i’m afraid, given its uncertainty we are asking for a search to check details first. Only certificate so far is the birth of Phyllis. Posing quite a mystery this family.

Friend’s mum is looking for her marriage certificate (1929 in Herefordshire).

[jonwarrn]

James (born 1914, died 19 April 1945 in Germany). Sadly his CWGC records don’t give any details of a wife or his parents.

ROBERTS   JAMES   
Regimental number 3651840   
Date of death 19 April 1945

Soldier's Wills (£1.50)
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

[Deirdre784]

Thanks jon, have bought numerous wills before, especially when they dropped to £1.50, but hadn’t found this as I hadn’t seen the ‘soldiers wills’ section. But it won’t let me add to basket so stumped. 

[jonwarrn]

Hi
I'm sorry to hear that. I added it to my basket, just to make sure it was still going to cost £1.50.
Hope you will get round it, or perhaps someone may have an idea to help.

Do let us know when you have more info about Alfred and Margaret, it sounds an intriguing case!
Jon