Hello,
Looking for any information on Rachael Israel born 1815 in the parish of Risca,
Monmouthshire, Wales. She is my great-great grandmother. I have located her in the 1841
and 1851 censuses married to Isaac Jones. In 1851 they are living in the parish of
Michaelstone Vedyr, Hamlet of LLanfedw, Monmouthshire. I also found their marriage
record but, unfortunately, the records do not list their parents' names. Very
frustrating! She was married in the parish of Risca on April 25, 1836. In the 1841 Wales
census, there is an Ann Israel age 53 living beside them. There is also a George Israel,
age 12, living with Ann. This could be her mother and a younger brother.
In 1861, the entire family emigrated to Minersville, Pennsylvania, so they do not appear
in the 1861 Wales census. Since they emigrated in 1861, they missed the US Federal 1860
census, too, and are not listed in the US 1870 census. I assume they both died between
1861 and 1870. I have not been able to find any records of their burials nor any trace
of them after they emigrated to and settled in Minersville, Schuylkill County PA. I have
looked in the old newspapers for that county to no avail. I have a fair amount of
information on their children, though, who married and remained in the general vicinity.
I would love to find Rachael's parents' names , but the parish records do not
always provide a lot of good information. I have also been unable to find her birth
records so far. Those might provide the parents names, but they do not always provide the
mother's maiden name. Even a first name would help though. Seems to depend on the
parish as to the amount of information that was recorded at the time. Some did a better
job than others. Does anyone know what the requirements were at that time period for
registering a births? Was it obligatory? Were fines imposed if one did not register a
birth or did not register it within a certain time period? Is it possible the family
never registered her birth at all?
Since these births are before the required 1837 civil registration, seems like the parish
records are the only source. If the parish records do not contain the information, is
there anywhere else to search?
Would appreciate any suggestions. Also does Michaelstone Vedyr and the hamlet of LLanfedw
still exist? Let me know if I have spelled these names incorrectly!. Thanks very much
for any help!
Kind Regards,
Karen Chila from Pennsylvania