I sent the message below to Powys because I thought Dowlais was Brecon but they say
it's not! Should I have come here after all?
This enquiry is limited to James Hale and Elizabeth Hale (nee Thomas of Dowlais).
Elizabeth was a widow by 1881 and was living in Tredegar, her husband having died in 1878.
Their eldest child (at least so far), Mary Jane Hale, was born in Beaufort in 1866. I
haven't been able to trace them there in the 1871 Census but wondered whether someone
with an index could point me in the right direction? James and Elizabeth might still be in
Brecon in 1871, or they might be there with Mary Jane's older siblings in 1861. I am
guessing there are other children because, if not, they married unusually late. James was
born around 1833 and Elizabeth 1835.
I would be very grateful for your help!
Best wishes
Annette Reynolds