Catherine Davies, Taliesin, Cardiganshire 1845

[davethomas2021]

Hoping to find some info on an ancestor Catherine Davies, born in Taliesin, Cardiganshire, South Wales in 1845
She married William Thomas in Melbourne, Australia in 1867, had 8 children, and died in Ballarat, Victoria in 1928.
Her father is listed as Evan Davies.

[maddys52]

This looks like her arrival in Australia, on the Tudor. Departed Plymouth, arriving Hobson's Bay on 14 March 1864, aged 20, kitchenmaid, from Cardiganshire. I can't make out the name of the person she is engaged to work for  (smudged), but they are in St Kilda.

I don't know much about Wales, however there is a family in 1851 in Ceulan and Maesmawr, Cardiganshire:

Evan DAVIES   41  Llanfihangel-Geneu'r-Glyn   farmer (I think)
Margaret          42
Jane            14
Evan                12
Catherine     9
Lewis          6
Jeremiah     3
Evan Jones    95  father in law,  Llanbadarn-Fawr,  retired farmer

HO 107/ 2486 pg7

Geneu'r-Glyn is only about 6km from Taliesin.

[maddys52]

Possible birth registration of the Catherine in the 1851 census then - registered at Aberystwyth (which includes the town of Taliesin) Sept qtr 1842 (27/19) mmn JONES.

The later children in the census are also registered at Aberystwyth:
Lewis - Mar qtr 1845 (27/19)
Jeremiah - Sep qtr 1847 (27/19)

(There are 3 possibles for Evan DAVIES mmn JONES c1839 at Aberystwyth, and 2 for Jane c1837)

[davethomas2021]

Wow, thank you Maddy, that is gold!!   
I’ve been poking around for months and haven’t been able to find anything like that!

[maddys52]

You're welcome Dave, though as I said - I'm no expert when it comes to Wales. I just think this family looks possible. 

Do you have Catherine's death certificate? In 1928 Victorian death certs should include both parent's names (if known).

Modified to add: ah, I see on the Vic BDM index it has her mother's name as Mary JONES. I guess this family is still a possibility as the information on a death cert is only as accurate as the informant knew.

[sparrett]

Quite possibly you have his record of the headstone at Ballarat Cemetery, but just in case..

It may add a little to your search
Sue

[davethomas2021]

Thank you Sue, recently I discovered that headstone inscription 🙂 It was very surprising to find out that William was a reverend because my GF & GGF we’re such ratbags 😀
I’m having trouble finding Williams Welsh family too, so may do a future post..

[sparrett]

I would be of no help with the Welsh end of the inquiry, but you have not mentioned whether or not you have acquired  the 1867 Australian Marriage Certificate.

It will contain information given directly by the couple.. therefore it has a high chance of accuracy.

This is what you would expect to find
Couple's names
Couple's ages
Couple's birthplaces
Previous status
Couple's occupations
Couple's residences
Fathers' names
Fathers' occupations
Groom's mothers name
Bride's mothers name
 
https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
Scroll down for how to purchase.

About $20 and as your direct forebears, probably a good investment!

Sue

[maddys52]

I agree with Sue, I would be acquiring the marriage cert.  Also a few mentions of the Rev on trove
https://trove.nla.gov.au/

An obit for Catherine here (in case you haven't seen it)
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3926073

(first paragraph under "Ballarat and District")

Modified to add:
and an obit for Rev William THOMAS
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215789768
(3rd column bottom page)