Edith Sullivan of Pontlottyn

[Pebble351]

Looking for any information on Edith May Sullivan and her family. Very little is known about her other than she was born 26 June 1926 in Pontlottyn and her father's name on her marriage certificate is James Sullivan, coal miner. I think 99% of the male population of Pontlottyn were coal miners at that time, and I know there was a huge Irish community there because of the mines (the name Sullivan is an Irish surname, obviously), so I know this might be an uphill battle. I have no birth certificate for her, know nothing about her other than she was in Cardiff around the docks by 1949, married in London to George Xerri and described as a restaurant waitress in 1953, and dead in 1991 in Cardiff as Edith Xerri. I've found a couple of James Sullivans on the census records, but there's no telling if they're the right ones. I'd love to know her beginnings. I appreciate this is not going to be an easy search, but any information about her and her family would be appreciated. 

[heywood]

Free BMD has this birth - you could check

June quarter 1926 Merthyr T. 11a 126
Edith M Sullivan mmn Price

[heywood]

Again - to check

Marriage Bedwellty September 1914
James Sullivan and Susannah Price

There are several births with these two names - all Merthyr Tydfil and as they are both common names it is difficult to say if all are the same family.

1939 shows a couple - James and Susannah Sullivan with children. Some can be found amongst those on Free BMD. No Edith, but if this is the correct family, she might be redacted.

[Pebble351]

That's fantastic, a great start. If that's my James Sullivan, my God, what a lot of children to support on a coal miner's wage! Do you happen to have access to the 1939 census? My subscription has run out. If you have a subscription, could you send me a copy of the entry for James and Susanna? Thanks anyway for that information.

[heywood]

There may be other Sullivan/Price families.
Sorry we can’t post 1939.
As I said though, Edith is not there and James is not a miner.
The birth certificate would help as you have the birthdate and then you could go from there.

[heywood]

https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
Confirms that birth as Edith May but unfortunately you would have to purchase the certificate as it is not available in the cheaper download.

There are several trees for various children but Edith is not mentioned as a sibling. This may be because she is redacted in 1939 and tree owners have not made the connection.
Or, of course, may be someone entirely different!

[Ladyhawk]

What was the address on her marriage certificate? Perhaps a family member witnessed the wedding

For info. from Glamorganshire, Wales, Electoral Registers, 1832-1978

Pontlottyn Ward - various years including 1939

James, Susannah & Eugene Sullivan
Residence Street Address   13 Union Street
Residence Place   Glamorgan, Wales
Parliamentary Division   Caerphilly Division

Eugene Sullivan mmn Price Sept qtr. 1921
his 1992 death entry surname is O'Sullivan dob 13 Jul 1921

Year 1954 there is a Edith M, T Sullivan (freeBMD 1928- male mmn Price) & R Sullivan (freebmd 1924 - female mmn Price) with James & Susannah Sullivan

[heywood]

That looks good Ladyhawk. Thank you.

[Pebble351]

Many thanks for that. Edith was married in May 1953 in St Pancras, London. The witnesses were two people who were living at the same address as her and her husband. 

The "Year 1954 there is a Edith M, T Sullivan (freeBMD 1928- male mmn Price) & R Sullivan (freebmd 1924 - female mmn Price) with James & Susannah Sullivan" comment is interesting as I've been unable to find her in London with her husband in 1954. Can you somehow send me a link to that information?

Thank you for all your help!