Hi Pauline,
OK here goes. Starting from the latest point. On 1901 Census found her
(Elizabeth) with her husband Thomas Davies and some of their 10 children living
at a place called Garth in Caio. I know this to be 100% accurate. She was
stated as aged 27 born Caio.
Then got her marriage certificate. States she married 14th April, 1894 age
given 21 years.
Spinister, residence at time of marriage, Parkglas, Aberdare, Caio, Father:
John Davies, retired farmer.
Then, searching at Records Office found 1891 Census living at Pontglas,
Caio. I think this is one and the same as on the marriage certificate, but the
marriage certificate spelt Parkglas instead of Pantglas. She was living her
aged 17, single, housemaid, born Caio also with the head of the household John
Davies, single, aged 68, retired farmer.
Then searching 1881 Census, only found 3 Elizabeth's that could match. One
was a year younger and was discounted. The second I also discounted because
she had several brothers and sisters. I have been advised by family members
that she only had one brother called Emlyn (but never found him anywhere!).
There is also belief that she was illigitimate.
Anyway, the last one I found fitted much better and she was living with a
Benjamin Davies (head), Mary Davies (wife), Thomas (grandchild) aged 13 and
Elizabeth (grandchild) aged 7. There was also a labourer John Davies (single).
I started to trace back this Benjamin Davies to see if it shed any light. I
found that Thomas the other grandchild had a twin called Mary A. so he must
be a cousin of Elizabeth's not a brother, also Benjamin had three daughters,
Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth. Mary is registered on 1891 living with her father
Benjamin but I cannot find any trace of Margaret and Elizabeth to see if
maybe they were mother to my Elizabeth. There is also family gossip about the
illigitamacy, but I wont go into that in fear or confusing you further more.
Are you still with me.........?.................Anyway, as I had 1881 Census
before 1891 - when I looked up the details of 1891 at the Records Office, I
took a look at the 'neighbours' and found that the grandfather mentioned above
(Benjamin) and a daughter Mary were living next door at a place called
Aberdare. I do believe this is linked.
Therefore I believe that this Elizabeth on 1881 Census must be mine. The
John Davies as labourer living with them matches the one on the 1891 Census and
her marriage certificate, although it is never mentioned on the Census that
he is her father.
So you see I searched for a birth certificate looking at years 1873/1874 and
as you know Elizabeth Davies is very common. However, Carmarthernshire
Registry, although there are 9 entries for Llandovery in 1873, said there was
only one with a father John Davies. So I bought the certificate. However, it
is not her. It is the birth certificate of the other Elizabeth Davies on 1881
Census and doesnt match to her marriage or anything else.
The only other thing I know is that she died at St. Thomas's Hospital,
Westminster, London of throat cancer. I dont know where the death was registered
and there is a query on the year of death. Some believe she died around age
62/63, which would make it about 1935/36. And some family members believe
that she died early 1940's. I went to 1837 online and looked at 1935, 1936,
1942 but couldnt find her registered.
Sorry about the long tale, it's just driving me crazy not knowing which way
to go with this.
Now as there are no baptismal records, perhaps she was never registered???
I don't know
I await your reply eagerly.
Regards
Helen