Ireland & Wales Colbert Connection
by Colbert One Name Study
Hello Listers!
My Colbert family came to Wales in the mid 1860's (post potato famine) namely Patrick John Colbert c.1840 who was born in Ireland but I have no birthplace for him. His father was a Michael Colbert his name appears on Patrick's marriage certificate in 1868 but I have no other information on him.
Patrick married a widow Mary Flynn nee Fitzgerald who was also of Irish birth she was born around c.1839. Mary had three children with her 1st husband Thomas Flynn, they were: James b. 1857, Michael b.1865 & Thomas c.1860 The two Thomas Flynn's died within a few weeks of each other in 1865 in Swansea South Wales. After Mary's 2nd marriage to Patrick Colbert in 1867 she had 2 more children John Colbert who was born in March 1868 & Edward Colebert who was born in September 1870. All lived in the poor district of Greenhill in Swansea which was known as 'Little Ireland'.
Patrick was in and out of the workhouse until his demise in 1885 in Swansea Workhouse. What I found intriguing when searching through workhouse records was that only his was an inmate. His wife and children never were listed in the records, the Archivist suggested that perhaps Patrick was estranged from his wife and family, which would also explain why she is not mentioned at all on his death certificate. He is buried in a mass paupers unmarked grave in Danygraig Cemetery in St Thomas Swansea, which was where workhouse inmates were buried. Mary lived until 1905 also dying in Swansea workhouse, however in that time the burials were a little more dignified as new laws were passed around 1900. She is also buried in a paupers unmarked grave in Danygraig Cemetery but it is not a mass grave.
James Flynn, Michael Flynn & new wife are all listed on the 1901 Census in Swansea, John Colbert is listed with his wife Lily & Son Harry but there is no sign of Edward Colebert. Whilst collecting Birth, Marriage and Death records on Colbert's in the UK I have found only his birth record I have not come across a marriage for Edward from the time of his birth in 1870 - 1904 it is possible that he is registered under his mis spelling of the name but I was also aware of this whilst perusing and came across nothing of interest. I am hoping that the 1870 - 1905 death records yield a result.
I descend from John Colbert who is my Great Grandfather he was born in Swansea Wales in 1868. He died in July 1943 & is buried in Cwmgelli Cemetery in Treboeth Swansea. With his wife Lily Emily Beynon & one Son who drowned in his 20's William John Colbert (my Great Uncle). They had many children: Harry, William John, Christopher (my Grandfather) Violet May & Lillian
Harry married a Lily Maud Bevan (Swansea)
William John never married & drowned young
Christopher married my Grandmother Violet May Park
Violet May Colbert married a Mr. ? Hake
Lillian married an Ivor Hardy.
Can anyone make a connection to these Colbert's? My Colbert's are the only ones in this part of Wales, I would be delighted to find out if Edward married and that part of the Colbert history carried on.
If you are not connected but you still have Welsh Colbert's I would still be interested in your information. I know of unconnected Colbert's in nearby by Port Talbot / Aberavon.
Regards
Jen
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Mrs. J L Colbert-Davies
The Colbert One Name Study
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