Hit a brick wall finding my Gt Gt Grandfather, help!

[Sarah Harries]

Hi all, I could really do with your advice and wisdom on an on-going conundrum which is thwarting my research on my maternal side.  Namely, trying to trace my gt grandfather Henry Evans' father.

My Gt Grandfather was born Henry Evans on 3rd November 1878 in Llanddeusant to Anne Evans.
In 1881 he is listed as living with Ann Evans (unmarried) and grandparents, John and Margaret, in Llansadwrn, there is also listed a second grandchild Sarah who was born in Glamorgan (I have assumed (always a danger) she is issue of another sibling because of the birth location and also because there is only half a year's difference in age), there is also an Anne Davies who is a boarder.

By the 1891 census he is listed as Henry Evans Davies and is living with his mother, now Anne Davies and his 'father' Daniel Davies and other siblings in Llanddeusant.  There is a seven year age gap between 12 year old Henry and his next oldest sibling.

I've failed to find a marriage certificate for Ann Evans and David Davies
I've obtained Henry's birth certificate and no father is listed.
I've obtained Henry's wedding certificate and Daniel Davies is listed as father.
I've searched newspapers of the time in the hope there may be some clue but i'm thwarted by the common surname.

I have also gone the DNA root with Ancestry in the hope that I might find some unrecognised link to work back from.  Sadly, on my mother's side i've found noone who is closer than 4-6th cousin and nobody with a researched family tree.

I don't want to give up on this until i've exhausted all avenues but I'm not sure what to do next, or even if there are any other avenues. HELP!

[confusion]

Is this the marriage?

Daniel Davies & Anne Evans Q4 1885 Llandovery (11a 1257)

Llanddeusant is a civil parish of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire


Jim

[Sarah Harries]

Wow, Jim, that would totally fit date-wise so could well be them.  I'll order up a wedding certificate to check it out.  I've been going cross-eyed searching for this and you find it in minutes! Thankyou!

[CaroleW]

Highly unlikely that Daniel is his father.  Many illegitimate children either made up a fathers name or gave a relatives name so as to appear"respectable" when they married.

Did Henry marry as Davies or Evans?

[Sarah Harries]

I know, I can't see it being the case, particularly as there was such a long time between his birth and Ann's marriage. However, good point, he did marry as a Davies, does this mean there might be some legal paperwork somewhere?

[CaroleW]

No - he just took on his stepfathers surname.  There have been a number of posts where an illegitimate child's name can vary from birth onwards.

1. In this type of situation where he adopts his stepfathers surname

2. If the biological father is - or becomes - known - some illegitimate children have changed their birth surname to that of their father in later life. 

[confusion]

As far as I know You can call yourself whatever name you want - providing there is no intent to use for fraudulent purpose.

Obviously, nowadays you would need to register it by deedpoll to be proof and accepted by the authorities.
(i.e passport, driving licence, inland revenue, local council etc.).

As Henry was still young he probably was led to believe Daniel was his father and assumed that he was, therefore, to look respectable he used his name on his marriage certificate.


Jim

[amondg]

Are there any baptism records to check?

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Isn't Anne's husband David Davies, rather than Daniel?

Possible marriage

Q4 1884 Llandovery Vol 11a p1362
Davies    David          
Evans    Anne